At the private room of Stellar Lounge, Sandra anxiously asked Ashley after she finished her call with James, "How did it go? Did James agree to lend us the money?"
"He agreed." Ashley nodded lightly, still hearing James' words echoing in her mind. Ashley never imagined she would come to the point of seeking help from James. Moreover, the condition James laid out for lending her money was to spend the night together intimately—something Ashley found utterly unacceptable.
Yet, if she couldn't muster the hundred thousand dollars, her impending fate might be far more terrifying than an evening with James. After all, ruffians like Kevin were capable of extreme acts. Thus, Ashley acquiesced to James' terms.
"I didn't expect that fellow to have a shred of conscience, willing to lend us money in such a situation!" Sandra breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much better after hearing that James was willing to lend the money.
However, Ashley furrowed her brow and turned to Sandra, tersely stating, "This money is a loan from me to you. You have to pay me back when you have the money."
"Why? Isn't this money lent to both of us by James?" Sandra retorted, displaying some reluctance.
Considering that if James had indeed lent them the money, a few sweet words from her to James might exempt her from repayment, Sandra believed she had a knack for handling someone like James.
"Why? Do you think James is foolish enough to lend us money casually? His condition for lending is that I have to accompany him for a night. If you can take my place, I won't ask for this money back!" Ashley clenched her teeth, embarrassed.
Upon hearing this, Sandra fell silent, unable to find her words.
After a pause, she finally said to Ashley, "Ashley, have you lost your mind? Are you really going to sleep with James for fifty thousand dollars?"
"Do you have a better alternative? Besides, sleeping with James is still better than being with Kevin, isn't it?" Ashley retorted with a cold smirk.
Sandra stood dumbfounded, uncertain of what to say.
"Don't breathe a word of this to anyone. If you do, I will never forgive you!" Ashley glared at Sandra with anger, warning her sternly.
"You can rest assured. I won't say a word!" Sandra hastily replied.
Meanwhile, Kevin, seated on the couch, appeared impatient, banging the table as he cursed, "You two harlots, have you manage to secure the money? If nobody comes to redeem you, then hurry up and come with me."
"My friend will be here soon!" Ashley, upon hearing Kevin's words, flashed a glimpse of fear in her eyes and quickly responded.
"I'll give you another five minutes. If no one arrives by then, don't blame me for being unkind!" Kevin impatiently shouted.
Ashley huddled in a corner, could only nod slightly, too afraid to speak.
Just then, there was a knock on the private room's door.
"Come in!" Brian called out to the visitor.
James pushed open the door and entered the room. Upon seeing James, Ashley and Sandra couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"I'm here to bail you out," James, with a neutral expression, announced after glancing at Ashley and Sandra.
"Is the money here?" Brian, seated in the middle of the couch, asked coldly, not even looking at James.
James placed the delivery box he carried onto the table and said, "Here is one hundred thousand dollars. Can I take them away now?"
Upon hearing this, Kevin swiftly unlocked the delivery box, then snidely walked over to James, giving him a disdainful look.
"Who would've thought a loser like you could come up with a hundred grand?" Kevin sneered.
"Whether I have money or not is none of your concern," James replied nonchalantly.
"You've got quite the attitude," Kevin remarked as he scrutinized James carefully.
Suddenly, Kevin's eyes widened as if he recognized James. "Aren't you that delivery guy near the University of Lumina?"
"Kevin, it's him! I've seen him at school several times!" Kevin's associate chimed in.
"No wonder you look familiar. How many deliveries did it take for you to come up with a hundred thousand dollars? Is it worth it for these two girls?" Kevin disdainfully quizzed James.
"Kevin, I heard that this guy was recently dumped by his girlfriend. He spent three years delivering, all the money going to her, only to have her leave him for a rich man! And guess what? He found out she was cheating on him with another man in a hotel while he was making a delivery. What a pathetic joke!" chimed in Kevin's associate.
"This guy is such a loser! Despite being so broke, he's using money to save people!" Kevin couldn't help bursting into laughter upon hearing his associates' remarks.
Others joined in the laughter as well.