Michelle Stratton's true role

The widely overlooked subject in American Gigolo is Michelle Stratton's true role.
She is enraptured by the cocky Adonis Julian Kaye and craftily pursues him. Her honed abilities are first revealed when she uncovers where Julian lives, arriving unannounced at his apartment at night wearing a sleuthy trench coat. Her ins and outs in the storyline make her a difficult figure to place. And that's exactly how she wants it as she secretly and jealousy stalks her admired prey for conquest and desire.
There are only very subtle hints throughout the film that this is what's going on. And so it must be or else Julian would find her out. And even when the truth almost does come out, Julian misses it, he could simply never fathom the possibility.
The moment of clarity comes when Julian corners the pimp Leon who admits he framed Julian. But Leon says two critical things when Julian tries and fails to buy him: 'The other side will always pay more.' Leon is not acting alone, he is not the shadowy mastermind, someone else is paying him to frame Julian. And then Leon continues to tell Julian that the bitch in Palm Springs is about to change her mind and identity Julian to the police and spell his end. Who is the financier? Who is the bitch? Michelle.
After Leon's death, Julian ends up incarcerated. Julian is dejected, he refuses Michelle's help, he doesn't want her consumed by scandal. Michelle now sees Julian's true character at the bottom, and admires him, like she desired him when he was on top. As the architect of his downfall, she now becomes his redeemer. Julian asks her why, and she replies 'I had no choice, I love you'. She now has the fallen gigolo all to herself, forever indebted he will be to her for saving him. The femme fatale.