Chapter 2

Amidst the chatter, Mr. Harrison knocked and came in.

Seeing everyone's attire, his blood boiled.

"This is India, not back home! Women covered head to toe are still at risk, and you dare to dress like this!"

"Change your clothes, now!"

Leah was startled at first, then ran over to Mr. Harrison, sweetly buttering him up.

"Mr. Harrison, you've misunderstood. We just thought since we rarely get to travel, we wanted to take some promotional photos here at the hotel. Don't worry, we absolutely won't leave the hotel."

"Don't you believe me? Ask them!"

The rest of them all chimed in.

"That's right, Mr. Harrison, this way, we can even help promote the company's paid international vacations!"

Thomason sneered.

"See how much Leah considers our company? Unlike some people, who only think of themselves and hinder others from contributing to the company."

Hearing that everyone claimed to be acting for the company's benefit, Mr. Harrison's face finally softened.

He relaxed, but before leaving, he reiterated his warning.

"I'll say it again, you absolutely must not leave the hotel. Otherwise, whatever happens, I won't be held responsible."

With that, he pulled me aside.

"Julian, you're always reliable. Keep an eye on them."

No sooner had Mr. Harrison walked out than the girls erupted in groans.

"Everyone knows Julian is just the boss's lapdog. How can we go out with him around?"

"I was planning to post vlogs and become a huge influencer."

Someone, unwilling to give up, tugged on Thomason's arm.

"Leah, isn't Julian your boyfriend? Go talk to him; he'll definitely let us go."

Thomason suddenly raised his voice.

"Think about it, everyone. How did Mr. Harrison show up so coincidentally? Could someone have snitched?"

His meaningful gaze was fixed on me.

"It has to be Julian!"

Ruth shrieked.

"Last month when we were partying at that bar in Thailand, he was the one who snitched!"

I was speechless. Last month in Thailand, Thomason had a whim and insisted on taking the models to a bar for his birthday. But that place was a notorious hub for human traffickers operating in Southeast Asia.

Local gang leaders had already noticed them.

If I hadn't told Mr. Harrison in time to bring them back, this group would probably have been sold into trafficking.

I never thought they'd see it as me harming them.

Incited by Thomason, they instantly grew furious, glaring at me as if they wanted to devour me.

Thomason strode towards me, raising his hand to slap me.

"So you're the one with the big mouth, always running to the boss, huh?!"

But I caught his incoming arm with one hand.

I looked at him coldly.

In my past life, I was blindly foolish, giving all my kindness to people who didn't deserve it.

If I'd known, I wouldn't have been so good-hearted.

"Get lost!"

Thomason's height and build were no match for mine. With one shove, he stumbled back two steps before falling sprawling on the ground.

"Julian! You're despicable! How dare you bully Thomason!"

Leah shrieked, rushing to shield the fallen Thomason in her arms.

"Julian, I know you've always been jealous of my good relationship with Leah, but we're just good friends. I never intended to interfere with your relationship."

The fallen Thomason leaned into Leah's embrace, speaking tearfully, yet provocatively rubbing his head against her ample chest.

"Julian, I've never seen such a petty man!"

"Someone like you doesn't deserve our Leah!"

Just as the models were lambasting me, Mr. Harrison knocked on the door again.

They quickly shoved me into a corner, then blocked Mr. Harrison's view at the door.

Mr. Harrison frowned, surveyed the room, and warned again.

"I'll say it again: no leaving the hotel."

"The police just reported large crowds parading in the nearby streets. These people are mostly from the impoverished districts, uneducated, essentially like wild animals."

With that, he turned and left.

But Leah hadn't heard a word. She immediately started changing into bikinis with the other models.

Thomason came up to me and challenged me in a low voice.

"See? Leah has always liked me. She's even willing to be my lapdog just to please me!"

"You're just a stepping stone she uses to appease me, something she can kick aside anytime!"

I suddenly found it quite amusing.

The models in our company were all from privileged, wealthy backgrounds.

Many came from powerful and influential families.

I'd like to see how these ungrateful fools would manage if something happened to them in India!