[AFYC] Chapter 21

Contrary to what Oscar expected, Seo Ah didn’t react with the fear he anticipated. Instead, she blinked her large eyes in confusion while the brothel madam trembled slightly.

“Sir, what are you talking about?” the madam said, trying to sound calm but failing to hide her anxiety. It was clear she didn’t understand why this unknown man was trying to take the girl away. Judging by the way he seemed to be urging her to leave, they didn’t seem to know each other well—if at all. 

If they weren’t acquaintances and there was no power dynamic involved, then she couldn’t just let him take her. 

But there was no way she could confront the man directly. So, with a determined expression, she turned to Seo Ah. 

“Do you want to leave?” she asked. 

“…” 

“It’s fine if you do. I’ve already been paid for tonight. Even if you wanted to stay tomorrow, I wouldn’t agree. But I won’t stop you if you insist on leaving now.” 

“…” 

“However, it’s late at night. Where would you go, and how would you get there on your own? I’m just a stranger, but I’m concerned for your safety.” 

Oscar laughed. 

The sound of his mocking laughter was like a slap across the face, but the brothel madam kept her composure. She could sense his disdain but refused to let it get to her. 

After laughing for a while, Oscar put his cigarette back to his lips and asked Seo Ah, “What will you do?” 

Her moist brown eyes trembled slightly. 

On one side was the middle-aged madam, dressed in a modest, respectable gown. On the other side was the man with the half-open shirt and a lazy posture, smoking casually. 

Simon, who had been watching the whole scene unfold from the sidelines, sighed. 

Seeing the two options laid out like that, it felt as though the choice had been obvious from the start. In fact, if anyone looked at the situation objectively, the word “brothel” suited Oscar more than it did the madam. 

“I’m sorry,” Seo Ah finally said, choosing the brothel madam over Oscar. The door quietly closed behind her. 

This is bad. 

Simon felt a quiet sense of despair. 

But the brothel madam was thrilled, a shiver of eerie delight running down her spine. 

All that remained was to deal with the man behind her. 

He looked familiar, but she couldn’t place him. However, he wasn’t a high-ranking noble. Nobles usually sent word ahead of time and requested specific prostitutes to be prepared. 

That left only the possibility that he was a newly rich merchant or a noble who hadn’t quite made it into the highest circles. Either way, he was someone the brothel madam couldn’t easily confront. 

But what era was she living in now? Even royalty had to consider the opinions of commoners these days. No one could simply ruin a business without evidence or a trial. And since Seo Ah hadn’t yet realised that she had been sold, there was no proof of any crime. 

Yes, she could handle this. 

Steeling herself, the brothel madam turned to face Oscar. She planned to be as humble as possible, apologise profusely, and ensure he was well taken care of for the night. 

“…” 

But when she looked down at his feet, her confidence faltered. 

Her gaze followed him down to the floor. 

Oscar had both hands shoved into his pockets, and he was grinding his cigarette butt into the ground with his foot. The ash and remnants of the cigarette were being crushed beneath his heel, the small ember that remained flickering under pressure. 

If he had slapped her or insulted her, she wouldn’t have blinked. But this… 

For some reason, watching him crush the cigarette felt like she was the one being trampled on. 

“Hit on the head by an idiot during the day, and now losing to a brothel madam at night. What kind of day am I having?” Oscar said, laughing as if he found the situation amusing. But no one else dared to laugh. 

His red tongue flicked over his teeth as he ran it across his lips. Then, with a glance, he looked at the brothel madam, who was now as white as a sheet. 

“Smile, that was a compliment,” he whispered. 

Then, muttering about her remarkable judgment, he turned and walked away. There was nothing threatening in his posture, but the moment he disappeared from view, the brothel madam collapsed to the floor. 

***