The phone rang not long after Helen returned to her post. She picked it up and said, "Hello, how can I help you?"

An icy voice came from the other end of the phone. "Bring me a set of toiletries."

Riley! Helen tightened her grip on the phone, and her heart thumped. Before she could collect herself, Riley added, "Bring it over yourself."

Helen said with feigned composure, "Sir… please contact room service…"

"Say that again?"

Helen felt intense oppression from the other end. It reminded her of that pair of scary eyes. "Will do. Sir, may I ask about your room number?"

"The penthouse. You have one minute." Riley sounded impatient.

A click came from the receiver, followed by the beep. Helen's blood froze. She excused herself with a lie and rushed away under Cynthia's confused gaze. She took the elevator to the top floor and saw a big bodyguard standing at the door. She dimly felt that her cheek slapped by Riley was still aching.

Helen could feel the sweat on her spine but refused to reveal her fear. After taking a deep breath, she said, "I'm here to deliver something."

There was no interception. Helen entered the room and only saw Jake. Like before, a gentle smile was on his face. "Thank you for the delivery."

This was it? Before Helen could rest her mind at ease, Jake added, "Riley is in the study. Go in."

Helen looked at Jake and then the locked door. Her brows furrowed, and she hesitated, "Why… does he want to see me?"

Jake shook his head, gave her a reassuring smile, and knocked on the door of the study.

As soon as Helen stepped into the study, the door was closed. She didn't dare to take another step forward. Leaning back in a chair, Riley stared coldly at her. Helen instantly felt a stream of coldness rising from the bottom of her feet.

"You are unpunctual, and you broke your promise. Did my words fall on deaf ears?"

Helen reasoned diffidently, "I made it to the living room within a minute… and I didn't break my promise…"

Riley irritably narrowed his eyes. "Sophistry?"

Helen quickly waved her hand. "No, I'm not. I didn't know you owed this hotel, and I didn't mean to let you see me."

"Why are you here?"

Riley got up and slowly approached her. Helen instinctively covered her face and stepped back, but the door was behind her. In a tight corner, she said, "Since you don't like to see me, I'll quit right away. Don't make things difficult for me."

Making things difficult for her? He was a man. When had he ever given any woman a hard time? Let alone a girl. Riley stood still not far from Helen and looked down at her, "Answer my question."

"I'm short of money. I need a job. The hourly rate is high here."

Like their first meeting, Helen bravely faced Riley. Her eyes were clear and unadulterated. She looked timid yet tenacious as if she wouldn't let anyone wrong her. However, under the heavy burden of life, how long would her pale and stupid obstinacy last?

Confirming that she wasn't lying, Riley snapped back his frightening gaze and said coldly, "Get out."

Helen was dazed. What did he mean? She wondered, but her body reacted faster than her brain. In an instant, Helen escaped from the depressing room.

Helen let out a silent breath. Only then did she notice that Jake had been watching. Helen felt embarrassed, but Jake courteously saw her to the door as if nothing had happened.

Riley didn't give her a hard time, but Helen still felt uneasy. When the shift was over, she trotted out of the hotel without removing her makeup. When she went out of the hotel garden, a burnished car happened to come out of the parking lot. Helen stood at the side of the road and waited for the car to go first.

When the car passed by her, the rear window slowly slid down. She couldn't avoid seeing a familiar face and an unfamiliar face. The stranger sized her up with interest. Helen ignored his annoying gaze, stared at Riley, and wondered what he was up to.

Riley cast a sidelong glance at Helen. "You should clear the debt by the end of this month."

The car sped away, leaving Helen in the dust.

Helen felt a little dizzy. Just paying off the debt? Riley hadn't mentioned a word about her job. Was it his tacit approval? Helen shook her head. The dizziness was a bit overwhelming. A bed was all that she wanted at that moment. As for the matter with Riley, it could wait till she woke up.