Chapter 5

**AUCTION HALL**

The room was dark and it scared me. I've always been afraid of the dark. Staring at the shadows of the other people present made me gulp down saliva. If Mom were here, she'd have embraced me tightly in her arms.

Sigh! If only she's alive, I won't have to make such a big decision. I clasped my palms as I waited for the moment my name would be called.

Suddenly, the light shone on me. My heart raced. It's my turn. I summoned all the courage in me to walk down the aisle to the altar.

I wanted to hide. To dig a hole and bury myself, to hide from these sinful and lustful gazes, but thinking about young Rafe who has a long life ahead of him, I knew deep in my heart that I had to let go of shame and be thick-skinned.

Accompanied by a man in black, who I suppose is a guard, I arrived at the altar.

Age: 23.

Weight: 51kg.

Height: 166 cm.

Complexion: golden-brown skin.

Hair colour: black.

Eye colour: grey.

Body structure: slim.

Education Level: Average.

Talents: cleaning, cooking, reading, and creating designs.

Occupation: xxx.

The host, standing beside me on the altar, read out.

Murmurs erupted from the crowd. I held my breath as I waited for the bidding to begin. How much will a man be willing to pay to buy me?

My fingers pierced through my palm. For this evening, I have agreed to be made up by the helper sent to me by the auction manager. The more attractive you are, the money you can generate.

The dress I wore was a mesmerising shade of midnight blue, accentuating my natural beauty, hugging my curves in all the right places. Its bodice, adorned with intricate beading that sparkled like stardust, drew attention to my slender waist and graceful neckline.

The off-the-shoulder design revealed a hint of my sun-kissed golden brown skin, adding a touch of allure to my already captivating presence.

Layers of soft, billowing tulle cascaded down to the ground, creating a dream-like silhouette that seemed to float. My ebony black curls were swept up in an elaborate updo, exposing the graceful curve of my neck and the delicate features of my face.

Their eyes, as they gazed at me, felt like the hungry gaze predators normally sent to their prey before launching an attack.

I suddenly felt relieved… I have never been dressed so skimpy yet beautifully before. Perhaps henceforth, I'll have to put in more effort into my appearance to please my ‘owner.’

The bright white light on me went off and the blue spotlight was turned on. Everyone understood what the blue light meant…

“Bidding begins at ten million pounds!”

The gavel was hit and chaos below the stage ensued.

“For this beauty, I'm willing to pay 11 million pounds!”

“11.5 million pounds!”

“12 million pounds!”

“13 million pounds!”

I couldn't help but doubt… I'm I that pretty!? Someone is willing to pay 13 million pounds!?

“15 million!”

I felt speechless for a moment. 15 million!!

“16 million!”

“20 million!”

Everyone gasped as their heads turned.

“Oh my, who is that! Willing to pay twenty million pounds to buy this thing!?”

“Heavens, this beauty is so lucky.”

I bit my nails. I felt afraid for no reason.

“Alright! Twenty million… going one! Two…”

The host was about to hit the gavel on the wood;

“50 million!”

My heart instantly turned cold as I sharply looked into the crowd! Who is it that said so just now?

“Ridiculous! 50 million!? I can build a mansion with it!”

“True! I can buy a limited edition sports car!”

“I can travel across the Red Sea and experience the best of love. Who is that?”

“The voice doesn't sound familiar!”

“Whoa! Fifty million! Going one… two… three! Congratulations bidder 23, product 17 now belongs to you. Please proceed to the financial department to make payment. Your purchase will be delivered immediately after the payment is confirmed.”

The room fell silent as the gavel struck, sealing my fate. Fifty million pounds. It was an astronomical sum, far beyond what I had ever imagined. But instead of relief, I felt a cold dread creeping through my veins.

Who was this mysterious bidder? What kind of person had that kind of money to spend on... on a person?

As I was led off the stage, my legs felt like jelly. The auctioneer's words echoed in my mind: "Your purchase will be delivered immediately." I was no longer Laurie Rayne. I was now "Product 17", a thing to be bought and sold.

In a daze, I was escorted to a waiting room. The walls were a soft cream color, meant to be soothing, but they felt like they were closing in on me. I sank into a plush chair, my heart shuddered with fear that I never saw coming.

**THERON**

Darkness surrounded me, the only light coming was from the flickering candles beside me. Soft, tantalizing music filled the air adding to the tension in the room. Karen, my new submissive girl, had arrived and the fun could begin.

I'm only up for sex and anything aside from having fun sex and pleasure with a lady, I'd rather starve to death.

I was sitting in a plush velvet chair waiting for her, my eyes locked onto her as she walked towards me. Her hips swayed with each step, her body moving in a way that made my blood boil. I leaned back in my chair, never taking my eyes off of her. She looked pure and innocent but I doubt she is.

I loved the way she looked at me, the way her eyes sparkled with anticipation. I saw the excitement in her eyes, the desire to please me. Karen stopped in front of me, her eyes lowered submissively.

I reached out and cupped her cheek, my thumb tracing her bottom lip. I leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You know what I want, Karen.”

“I want you to take off your clothes and show me what you are hiding under that dress.”

Karen hesitated for a moment. Despite the doom being only dimly lit, I noticed her heart pounding in her chest. She had never been naked in front of me before, but she knew I didn't have much time to waste on her. She slowly began to unzip her dress, her hands trembling as she revealed her body to me.

I took in the sight of Karen's naked body. She was beautiful, her curves perfect in every way. I could see the goosebumps on her skin and the way her nipples hardened under my gaze. I could feel my body reacting to her, my cock growing hard in my pants. Great!!

I reached out and ran my fingers over her breasts, my touch gentle yet solid. I could feel her shiver under my touch, her body responding to me. I moved closer and kissed her, my lips claiming hers in a passionate kiss.

Karen moaned into the kiss, her body melting into mine. She could feel my hardness pressing against her, my desire for her evident. My hands slid down her back, my fingers digging into her skin as I pulled her closer.

My tongue explored her mouth, claiming every inch of her. Karen's hands trembled as she wrapped them around my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair.

My grip on her tightened, my fingers biting into her skin. I pulled back, my eyes blazing with intensity. “You are so beautiful, Karen,” I whispered, my voice low and husky. I wasn't stingy with my compliment, she truly is beautiful.

“I want to see all of you.” My hands slid down her body, my fingers tracing the curves of her hips, her thighs, and her calves.

Karen's heart trembled as my hands explored her body. She could feel the heat radiating from my touch, the way my fingers seemed to burn her skin. I could feel her body responding to me. Her desires seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

She reached out a trembling hand, her eyes locked onto mine, and whispered, “May I touch you, sir?”

My gaze never wavered as I nodded, waiting to see what the bitch had up her sleeve. “Yes, Karen. I want to feel your hands on me.”

Karen's face flushed red as she reached out, her fingers brushing against the bulge in my pants. Karen's fingers continued to trace the outline of my cock, her touch sending shivers down my spine.

I could feel myself growing harder, my desire for her reaching a boiling point. I groaned, my lips claiming hers in a passionate kiss. Our tongues danced together, our bodies pressed tightly against each other.

“It's been a long time since I had a taste of you, sugar lips, didn't you miss me?” She suddenly spoke.

She swerved around and soon the edge of a shimmering dagger was posted at my neck. I snorted disdainfully, relaxed and unperturbed by her threat.

“You've always been silly with your moves and it's pathetic that you never follow the rules.”

“Hmph! I'm not at all falling for your tricks, Malevolo, I need the diamonds! Don't dare my dagger, it knows no face.” She pressed the dagger even closer to my skin, making slight cuts, blood began to drip.

“Rule no. 1, don't speak. Rule no. 2, don't celebrate your victory before success, and rule no. 3, never underestimate your enemies, no matter how unguarded they are…”

As soon as I completed my words, her hold on the danger loosened and she jerked backwards. She fell to her knees and began to convulse.

“When it comes to being evil and punishing evil, I know no gender.”

Karen's vision began to blur, she realized too late that I had outsmarted her. The kiss, the passionate embrace, had been a ruse. The pill, hidden in my mouth, had been released into her system, rendering her weak and disoriented.

“No...no...this can't be,” she stammered, trying to resist as my henchmen closed in around her.

With a cruel smile, I nodded at them, “Take her away!!” I ordered, a gruesome smile settling in my lips. “Also, prepare the torture room.”

Karen's screams were muffled as she was dragged away, her body limp and helpless. I watched her go, my eyes gleaming with triumph.

“You should have stayed out of this, Karen,” I whispered. “I let you survive in the past and not punish you. Now, you'll pay the price for repeating the same mistake by crossing my path again.”

As I sat in my chair, savouring the taste of my forty year old red wine, one of my most trusted henchmen, Victor, entered the room. His expression was serious, and I knew he wouldn't dare to disturb me unless it was important.

“Master, we've received intel about an upcoming auction,” Victor said in a low voice. “It's happening in a few hours, and we've confirmed that the diamonds will be there.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

“Also, the most recent of all, a member of the Voss Family, Laurie Rayne will be attending the auction… as an item in the list of things to be auctioned. Zane Voss looked to have gone too far this time.”

I grinned and then stood up from the chair, “A desperate, broken heart woman is a submissive pet. Time to play my cards.”

I walked to the window, looking out at the city lights twinkling in the distance. The auction presented an interesting opportunity - not just for the diamonds, but for Cookie as well.

Oh! Zane! Who'd have thought that his foolishness could work to my advantage today ? This is a day I already predicted and I'm glad it has finally come to pass.

"Victor, prepare my car and alert the team. We're going to crash an auction tonight."

As Victor left to make the arrangements, I poured myself another glass of wine, savoring the rich flavor as I contemplated my next move. Laurie Rayne - the almighty Rayne family's golden girl, now reduced to an auction item. How deliciously ironic.

I changed into a sleek black suit, adjusting my cufflinks as I gazed at my reflection. Power radiated from every pore. Tonight would be a game-changer.