Into the

thing didn’t seem quite right, but I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what was bothering me. I hoped tha

could sense a strange tension in the air. The staff were whispering to each other more than usual and giving me odd lo

more eccentric and unbridled in their behaviour. I felt eyes watching my every move as I served drink orders. A few men lingered too long, making inappro

chance to take a quick break and slipped into the back room to grab a bottle of water from the mini fr

’re actually going th

now how these big shots are; th

the door open slightly to peek inside. Two of the cocktail waitresses w

ly make us, you know?” the

ne of the girls quit on the spot after what they made her do. I’m ju

rmance for these wealthy guests? A trickle of panic started to set in as I realized this was no ordinary

ing breaths. I needed answers but had to approach the situation carefully. A few minutes later, the waitresses emerged fr

I couldn’t help overhearing some of the staff talking earlier. They mentioned there was some sort of, I don’t know, auction happ

ood kid, and I’d hate to see you get mixed up in the sort of things that go on around here after hours. It’s best if you

hed in resignation. “Alright, I won’t pry. But you have to admit, it’s a little unsettling not

like to gamble on live performances involving the staff. Things can get pretty graphic and demeaning. Cash flows freely, so the bosses turn a blind eye as long as busin

d clear of the after-hours activities for my own safety and sanity. But my innate sense of justice was also kicking in. How could they allow such dehum

p.m., the bar area was mostly cleared out as guests dispersed to secret lounges and parlors for the real festivities of the night. I glanced

a big game starting in the Blue Room in fifteen minutes, and I aim to win it all tonight,” one gloated to Jeremy as he slapped a stack of hundred-doll

a seat at the table. Don’t say I didn’t warn you; the stakes are higher than ever tonight. Word is,

ve someone at the mercy of these monsters. My mind was made up—I had to find out exactly what was going on in the so-called Blue Room and get evidence to take to the police. Quietly slipping

arefully. The first few rooms were empty parlor lounges set up cozily with pool tables and bar areas. But as I crept farther down the corridor, muffled screams and pleads for mercy began to reverberate thro

or well-dressed guests lounging on leather sofas and ottomans. But the center of the room was taken up by an elaborate gilt cage where a young woman sobbed and cringed against the bars, n

rom enthralled onlookers. “You there in the Armani, do I hear ten thousand? Going once, goi

before it could continue any further. But as I turned to flee, my foot snagged on a loose floorboard with a resoundi