Mr. Pretentious: Miss Valerius, He is Begging for a Title-Chapter 8: Tonight, I’ll Be Your Patron

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Tonight, I’ll Be Your Patron
Sebastian Ford guessed that Eleanor Valerius deliberately lured him here.
This little fox trying to play hard to get, does she know that playing with fire can get you burned?
...
Lounge.
Eleanor Valerius saw Flora Vaughn come in and urgently asked, "Have the VIP guests arrived?"
"They have, the outside is filled with people."
Flora Vaughn looked guilty, "Eleanor, it’s too dangerous to auction so openly like this. If it’s for fundraising for me, I can’t let you go on stage. The manager refused to lend me my salary, I’ll think of other ways. You shouldn’t demean yourself to please those men."
"Your daughter Melody’s illness can’t be delayed. You’ve helped me before, don’t refuse my help."
Hearing that Sebastian Ford was lured here, Eleanor felt assured.
"The little things I helped you with, you’ve helped me plenty."
Flora Vaughn has seen many opportunists at nightclubs; Eleanor Valerius is her only friend who’s genuine.
"When I urgently needed money, you secretly pawned jewelry which got discovered by the Valerius Family, resulting in you being punished and starved for two days."
Eleanor Valerius chuckled self-deprecatingly.
Who would have thought that this third daughter of the luxury-laden Valerius Family with branded clothes and luxury cars would be so broke she doesn’t even have a penny?
That was Regina Jennings’ way of training obedience.
She said that having money leads to independent thoughts, which results in losing control.
"I know the feeling of having a loved one waiting in the hospital for life-saving care; money shouldn’t be a reason for losing precious life."
...
The public auction night began.
Eleanor Valerius walked to the center of the stage wearing a veil.
The audience was filled with men attracted by her reputation, and their gazes felt invasive.
But she was here to make money, superior to those seeking pleasure!
Eleanor Valerius glanced at the VIP area.
Her gaze wet, she intentionally smiled, her sly eyes pure yet alluring.
From afar.
Sebastian Ford squinted at her audacity to openly auction herself, emotions unclear.
At this time, Eleanor Valerius was eyed by another man.
Dominic Drake sat in the best spot in the sofa area below, stood up, and said, "I’ll treat everyone to drinks tonight, enjoy your evening."
"Thank you, Young Master Drake!"
The drinking guests sensed that Dominic Drake was asserting his dominance.
"When Gigi first performed here, Dominic Drake took a liking to her, trying to invite her out despite rejection despite the money."
Wayne Wainwright observed Sebastian Ford’s expression and insinuated, "Look at the room filled with guests here for Gigi; the more she stays unsullied, the more others want to taint her.
Dominic Drake wants Gigi badly, and I specifically informed you, her benefactor, to protect her."
While drinking, Sebastian Ford remained indifferent.
Still, his gaze captured Eleanor Valerius’ form within his eyes.
Eleanor Valerius’ auction asking for fifty thousand dollars is exactly what Melody’s medical expenses lack.
"Five thousand, I’ll buy you."
Dominic Drake pointed at Eleanor Valerius, suggesting sinisterly, "Take off the veil and dance a striptease for me. Everyone tonight shouldn’t compete with me; I’m paying for you all to watch a seductive dance."
The surroundings erupted with heckling sounds.
Clearly, Dominic Drake wanted to humiliate and avenge previous rejections from Eleanor Valerius.
Eleanor Valerius held her breath slightly.
"If no one else bids, then she’s mine."
Dominic Drake had been itching to play with this pretentious woman.
"Wait, there are still VIP guests who haven’t bid."
Eleanor Valerius looked towards Sebastian Ford’s direction, teasingly asking, "What performance do you want to see? Considering our past, you have priority."
The financial situation couldn’t make her directly ask Sebastian Ford.
Her identity would then be questioned.
Her flirtation game rules with him required deftness; she couldn’t exploit him, only make transactions.
Other people couldn’t see which wealthy, powerful guests sat in the VIP area.
"Master Ford, your Gigi is waiting for your rescue."
Wayne Wainwright provoked, enjoying the drama.
Sebastian Ford coldly laughed; Eleanor Valerius truly dared to openly plot against him.
Did she overestimate her allure?
"I’m not interested."
Sebastian Ford straightforwardly rejected.
How unexpected that the Valerius Family’s third daughter had to auction herself performing dance for money at a nightclub?
The gift from his father wasn’t a small sum.
What exactly was Eleanor doing? He wanted to see her true self.
Wayne Wainwright was surprised, but Eleanor wasn’t.
"Tonight I’m the only one interested in your performance; if you want to earn this money, you’ll have to satisfy me."
Dominic Drake directly threw money.
He knew nightclubs pretended to be noble, but really desired a higher price.
"Dance a striptease for me obediently!"
The entire room burst into clamorous cheers.
"Strip!"
"Strip!"
Eleanor Valerius’s previous performances were all normal.
She hated being used as a plaything, but financial need forced her to fall to such depths.
"You mustn’t dance!"
Flora Vaughn wanted to rush over but was stopped by the manager.
At this moment, Eleanor Valerius squinted her beautiful eyes, sweetly laughing, "It’s an honor to interest Young Master Drake. I’m shy; it’s my first time dancing like this. Doesn’t Young Master Drake want to enjoy it alone? If people knew later you’re the first to see me, is it not yours then?"
The smile in Sebastian Ford’s eyes froze quickly, becoming dangerous.
This sounded familiar, didn’t it?
Eleanor Valerius teased him and other men with the same routine?
"Oh dear, is Gigi heartbroken you’re not saving her, publicly throwing herself into Young Master Drake’s embrace?"
Wayne Wainwright continued to stir up trouble, relishing the chaos.
"Fine, then I’ll enjoy alone."
Dominic Drake looked at Eleanor Valerius and swallowed, already moved by lust.
The nightclub also had a separate small stage.
A single sofa was in the middle; the surrounding curtains would lower, allowing anything inside.
Eleanor Valerius first walked to the stage, and Dominic Drake followed under envious gazes.
"Master Ford, you really don’t care?"
Wayne Wainwright continued questioning.
Soon, the figure beside him couldn’t be contained, immediately joining to watch the drama.
Dominic Drake hadn’t entered the stage when suddenly held by the arm, and dragged outside. Angrily turning back, he saw it was Wayne Wainwright.
"President Wainwright?"
"This woman is untouchable to you."
Wayne Wainwright chuckled as he dragged the unwilling Dominic Drake, patting him in comfort, "Want to see a striptease, right? No worries, I’ll do it for you."
Dominic Drake was furious, but Wayne Wainwright’s status prevented him from retaliating.
He couldn’t find out the man dare competing with him for the woman, what kind of untouchable figure?
Inside the curtain-wrapped stage.
Eleanor Valerius stood with her back facing, hearing footsteps, her heartbeat paused.
Until that familiar burning gaze fell upon her, causing her to smile triumphantly, relaxing.
"Master Ford, you’ve finally arrived!"
Eleanor Valerius approached like a little fox, slowly nearing the dangerous man.
She schemed against him, deliberately letting him know she was scheming, her cunning seemed like a soft plea.
"How does my practice at coy manipulation fare? Do you find it amusing?"
Sebastian Ford pinched her face, half-smiling and interrogating, "Eleanor Valerius, are you very short of money?"
"It’s just for the thrill, your presence proves you find it appealing too."
Eleanor Valerius appeared obedient and gentle before him.
Getting the money meant she had Melody’s medical expenses covered.
Now, she just had to appease this man.
"You are practicing teasing games with me?"
Sebastian Ford entertained his thoughts, patting her face.
"It is indeed interesting, I’ll be your sponsor tonight, so this game continues."
Sebastian Ford turned and sat onto the sofa, examining her playfully, "Strip, I want to see the striptease too."
Eleanor Valerius: "..."
Oh no, Sebastian seems angry!