Chapter 1

Laughter erupted behind me, sharp and mocking.

Zoey Sanders was furious and embarrassed, angry that I had humiliated her in front of everyone.

She was the richest woman in Solaria, yet her fiancé was fighting in an underground ring for a prize worth barely a hundred thousand dollars, getting beaten bloody for it.

I ignored her and turned back toward the backstage area.

When I stepped into the octagon again, the arena lights suddenly focused on the iron cage across from me. A savage roar echoed through the stadium.

"Tonight, Fighter No. 67 versus the lion! Place your bets!"

The curtain was yanked open.

A bloodstained maw lunged into view, close enough to swallow me whole.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

"My dear brother."

It was Ronald Goldman.

I looked up to see him leaning lazily against the railing, dressed head to toe in luxury brands, a smug smile spread across his face.

"I heard you were short on money, so I prepared a special gift to help you earn a little more."

His voice sounded innocent, almost playful, which only made it crueler.

"I put a million on you to win. Don't disappoint me."

One million.

I clenched my fists. The image of our old family home being sold off flashed through my mind, and without hesitation, I stepped forward.

Just then, Zoey pushed the door open. Ronald naturally slipped an arm around her waist.

"Zoey, my brother's pride means everything to him. If he wants that million, let him win it himself.

"I heard he's beaten several opponents in a row. Looks like Scarlett Jones from the fight club has been taking very good care of him..."

The implication in his voice was filthy.

Disgust flashed across Zoey's face.

"As long as you kneel in front of everyone and apologize to Ronald right now, I'll still give you the million.

"Otherwise, you'll have to take it straight from the lion's mouth."

Every eye in the arena fell on me, certain I would give in.

Instead, I calmly pulled on my gloves.

Zoey's expression darkened instantly. Rage burned in her eyes.

The lion lunged.

I rolled forward to avoid the attack and drove a kick straight into its throat.

But the difference in strength was overwhelming.

That massive jaw came within inches of crushing my skull again and again.

Zoey's face grew uglier with every passing second.

Still, I refused to surrender. After several rounds, my arms had been shredded open by claws, flesh torn and dripping with blood.

Bang!

A tranquilizer gun was fired.

The lion collapsed to the ground.

Zoey tossed the gun aside and stormed toward me. She grabbed my bloodied arm and shouted furiously, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

Blood dripped onto the octagon floor. Sweat covered my forehead, but I still gritted my teeth and forced the words out.

"I didn't lose. Don't forget the money."

Her hand suddenly clamped around my throat as she stared at me with icy fury.

"You're completely beyond saving. If you wanted money this badly, maybe I should've let them sell you for a good price back at that auction."

My body jolted violently.

My vision rolled back, and darkness swallowed me whole.

Just before I lost consciousness, the secret I had overheard years ago echoed once more in my ears.

"Ms. Sanders, ruining his reputation tonight finally helped Master Ronald vent his anger."

"He brought this on himself. This is the price for slandering Ronald."