Chapter 2

The blinds in the manager's office were tightly shut, making the room feel suffocating.

Marcus sat behind his desk, his face as dark as a storm cloud.

He slid his phone across the desk toward me. On the screen was the anonymous post from the Snapchat group.

"Chloe, how do you explain this?"

I looked at him calmly. "There is nothing to explain. This is defamation."

Marcus slammed his hand on the desk. "Defamation? Every single member is talking about this! The gym's reputation is ruined! How do you expect me to believe you?"

He pointed at the screenshot of the $150,000 transaction.

"You've only been here for three months. You're a rookie! How did you sign such a massive contract? Who is this client? Can you honestly tell me there's nothing dirty going on between you two?"

His rapid-fire questions made it clear he had already decided I sold my body for the sale.

I lowered my eyes.

"Client information is confidential."

Marcus let out a dry, angry laugh.

"Fine! Confidential! Chloe, I don't care how you got this deal, but you need to fix this right now!"

"Either you get this 'sugar daddy' to come forward and prove your relationship is professional, or you take an unpaid leave until this blows over!"

"I'll give you twenty-four hours to think about it. If this isn't resolved by tomorrow, don't bother coming back."

When I walked out of the manager's office, Fiona was in the hallway chatting and laughing with a few gym members.

Seeing me, she immediately came over with a fake look of concern.

"Chloe, did Marcus go hard on you? Oh, it’s all my fault. I shouldn't have joked around. Look at the mess we're in now..."

A female member behind her rolled her eyes.

"Fiona, you are way too nice. Why are you even talking to someone like her?"

Another male member, Brad, looked me up and down with disgusting, lingering eyes.

"Hey beautiful, don't limit yourself to just one rich guy. $150,000 is a bit steep, but I can easily do ten grand for a night. Want to think about it?"

A wave of snickers went around the hallway.

Fiona pretended to scold him.

"Brad, stop it. Chloe isn't that kind of person." But her eyes were dancing with joy.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. Without saying a word, I walked past them and headed straight to the workout floor.

I still had a trial session booked.

The client was a young girl in her early twenties. When she saw me, her eyes darted away nervously.

"Trainer Chloe... are we still doing the session?"

I nodded. "Of course. Let's start with a warm-up."

But throughout the entire session, the girl was completely distracted, constantly stealing glances at me as if she wanted to ask something.

When we finished, she whispered, "Chloe... is what they're saying... actually true?"