Chapter 309
"What's your name?" Sally asked, following William in her high heels at a deliberately slow pace. Her eyes casually scanned their surroundings as workers on the construction site averted their gazes, recognizing them as emerging from the second-floor office.
"William," he muttered, his voice barely audible, fingers tightening around the hem of his shirt.
Sally suddenly chuckled. "What was that ten-dollar bill you gave me the other day supposed to mean?" She studied the young man—his sun-darkened skin contrasting with unusually clear, bright eyes. He looked meek, yet his actions suggested otherwise.
William swallowed hard. "To save me."
"Save you?" Sally burst into laughter, covering her crimson-painted lips. "Boss Shaw treats his workers well. Unless you're—" Her words cut short when she met William's unwavering gaze.
"Write a letter for me," he whispered urgently. "Say I'm trapped in an illegal coal mine, under watch. I'll give you the address." He hesitated. "You won't be implicated."
Sally's smile froze. Instinctively, she started to glance back, but William hissed, "Don't turn around!"
Catching on, she giggled and leaned into him flirtatiously. "Why so serious, sweetheart?"
William recoiled as if burned, his ears flushing scarlet. Raucous laughter erupted from the second-floor window, Boss Shaw's voice booming above the rest: "Sally, stop teasing the poor guy!"
Relief washed over her—the act had worked. Swaying her hips, she headed toward the kitchen, William trailing behind with noticeably unsteady steps.
Inside, Old Harold squatted by the stove, smoking. William focused on clumsily yet earnestly chopping fruit while Sally leaned against the doorframe, fingers drumming lightly against her arm.
"Done. Take it upstairs," she instructed, motioning for him to follow.
At the stairwell landing, William suddenly grabbed her wrist. Sally felt a crumpled bill pressed into her palm and clenched her fist without a flicker of reaction.
The second-floor private room was hazy with smoke. Boss Shaw pulled Sally onto his lap, eyeing the five-dollar note in her hand with disdain. "This pitiful amount?" He made to toss it aside.
"No!" She snatched it back, tucking it into her cleavage. "It's my lucky charm today!" She pouted playfully. "If you think it's too little, how about—"
Boss Shaw guffawed, yanking her closer. "Five grand! Do well tonight, and I'll give you a fat red envelope!"
Sally kissed him, her peripheral vision catching William slipping out of the room with his head bowed. Her tension finally eased—the address-scrawled bill now pressed securely over her heart.