Chapter 1

My vacation home. At the dinner table, the elders in my family started asking about my job in the city.

“Just running a small business,” I answered casually.

Hearing that, my cousin, Tiffany, sitting across from me, let out a snort.

“So, selling yourself counts as a business now?”

“I even saw your price list online. Quite the menu of services you’ve got there.”

After getting everyone’s attention, she feigned magnanimity. “Every job has its dignity. We wouldn’t look down on you just because your profession is… humble.”

Egging them on, she turned me into the target of everyone’s accusations.

Without missing a beat, I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Pull the funding. I want her completely bankrupt.”

Every time I came home for the holidays, I had to face another interrogation from my relatives.

I’ve never liked sharing details about my life, so when Aunt Sarah asked about my job in Metropolis City, I just brushed her off. “Oh, just running a small business in the city.”

“A business? That’s great! Not like your cousin Leo, who works for someone else, pulling all-nighters just to make a few grand.”

“Ashley, you’re so capable, why don’t you help your cousins find jobs?”

I felt a wave of awkwardness.

But my dad jumped in before I could speak. “No problem! Leave it all to Ashley!”

I immediately put down my forks, just about to explain that my "business" was just selling stuff at a flea market, when Tiffany, who had been quietly scrolling on her phone across the table, suddenly burst into laughter. “Seriously, the world is falling apart. Anyone can claim to be a businesswoman now. By that logic, back in the day, wouldn’t all the call girls have been entrepreneurs?”

“Tiffany, what are you implying?”

“How can you compare your cousin to… well, to *that*? That’s so disrespectful, apologize to Ashley.”

I thought the elders were reasonable, that they would side with me.

But I quickly realized I was wrong.

“I’m not making things up. I’m not the one selling myself in the city, so why should I apologize?”

Tiffany said, opening a photo and shoving it in front of Uncle Robert, who had spoken up for me. “Uncle Robert, look, isn’t this Ashley Miller in the picture?”

I couldn't see what was on the photo, but the sudden, strange looks from everyone made me realize the seriousness of the situation.

The phone started passing from Uncle Robert’s hand, to Aunt Emily, then to Aunt Carol, and finally landed in my dad’s hands.

Before I could say a word, a stinging slap landed on my face. My dad pointed at me, spitting as he yelled, “You shameless brat!”

“Don’t hit our daughter!”

My mom rushed to shield me, but no sooner had she spoken than my dad handed her the phone. “See for yourself what Ashley Miller is doing out there!”

My mom took the phone, skepticism on her face, but her expression instantly turned serious, then morphed into fury.

If I hadn’t ducked quickly, the cup in my mom’s hand would have shattered against my head.

Slapped and almost hit with a cup for no reason, and then publicly cursed out by so many relatives, I was still completely bewildered.

It wasn't until Tiffany feigned concern, stepping forward to intervene, and said, covering her mouth, “I’m so sorry, so sorry. It’s all my fault for speaking up. I just assumed you all knew about Ashley’s… activities.”

“What activities?!”

“Don’t pretend. I’ve seen your price list.”

Tiffany glanced at me, then finally handed me the photo.

[5’7”+ Milf, Cool & Elegant Vibe, Sweet & Sassy]

[Online Chat Companion: $80/hour (Text/FaceTime)]

[Overnight Escort: $250/night (Local, by appointment)]

[Full-day Companion: $500/day (Includes city outings, overnight additional)]

[Special requests and long-term arrangements by DM. Serious inquiries only.]

[Contact: 132xxxxxxxxxx (State purpose, direct price inquiries will be blocked)]

Looking at the content on the poster, I was dumbfounded, especially when I saw the sexy swimsuit photo in the upper right corner. A surge of confusion washed over me.

This wasn't me.

“Ashley, I’m not trying to criticize you, but there’s no shame in struggling when you’re out on your own. However, a girl should cherish her body. This line of work you’ve chosen is just… too far out.”

“But hey, every job has its stars, right?”

“We won’t look down on you just because you’re selling yourself. To each their own, I guess.”

Noticing the confusion on my face, Tiffany continued to fan the flames, explaining where she supposedly got the poster.

“When my boyfriend and I were out for dinner, someone slipped a little card into our car. I didn’t pay attention at first, but then I saw the photo, and I immediately recognized you.”

“I only scanned the QR code out of concern, and I never expected it was actually you offering these services.”

The more Tiffany spoke, the uglier my parents’ faces became, especially my dad’s. He turned beet red with rage, grabbed a chair, and was about to throw it at me, only to be held back by the other curious relatives.

The relatives and elders who had greeted me warmly upon my return were now standing with their hands on their hips, sneering at me.

“Such a disgrace. And to think you even finished grad school. You just wasted all that education.”

“I don’t know how David raised his daughter. So shameless for money, she became a prostitute.”

Some weren’t satisfied just yelling at me. Taking advantage of the noisy crowd, someone intentionally reached out and pushed me, making me lose my balance and fall to the floor.