Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 559

A middle-aged woman named Trudy, who had been smoking and studying a photograph, looked up. She stubbed out her cigarette, walked over to Honora, and began to unwrap the bandages. She then gripped Honora’s chin, turning her head from side to side. “So this is Regal City’s former number one talent. Not bad looking at all.”

Honora felt a wave of disgust. The woman was dressed in expensive clothes, but a long, jagged scar ran down her face. And, most strikingly, her two front teeth were made of gleaming gold.

SLAP.

Before Honora could react, a sharp sting erupted across her cheek. She clutched her face, stunned.

Trudy blew on her reddened palm. “You were just thinking how disgusting I look, weren’t you?”

Honora’s mind went blank. She clutched her cheek, too afraid to speak.

“What good is a pretty face? You all end up as playthings for rich men anyway. So drop the high-and-mighty act. If you work for me, you leave your dignity at the door.” Trudy sneered, returning to her sofa. She leaned forward and tapped the ash from a new cigarette into an ashtray.

Tears welled in Honora’s eyes.

“Trudy… I wasn’t thinking you were disgusting,” she explained, shaking her head. “And I don’t care about dignity anymore. All I want is to live and get revenge on my enemies. I’ll give up anything for that.”

“At least you know your place,” Trudy said, taking a file from her assistant and tossing it onto the table in front of Honora. “This is your new job.”

“Yes,” Honora replied. “I won’t disappoint Mr. Lincoln or you.”

Trudy waved a dismissive hand to her assistant. “Take her and get her settled.”

As the assistant led Honora through the academy, she saw several other attractive women practicing their posture, their speech, their very mannerisms.

“If you don’t want to work a dead-end job for pennies your whole life, then your youth and beauty are your greatest assets,” an instructor was saying. “If a rich man desires you, you will have the world at your feet…”

Listening to those words, Honora clenched her fists, her heart burning with resentment.