Chapter 4

A bucket of cold water mixed with chunks of ice was splashed straight at my face.

I jolted awake, gasping for air and coughing violently.

A spotlight blazed down on me. It was so harsh that I could not open my eyes.

All around me were raucous voices, mixed with whistles and lewd laughter.

I forced myself to adjust to the light and finally saw where I was.

It was a massive circular auction hall, lavishly decorated in gold and splendor.

I was bound to a huge cross, locked inside an enormous golden cage at the center of the stage.

Below, hundreds of men sat wearing all kinds of masks.

Their gazes were like slick, venomous snakes, slithering through the bars of the cage and crawling over my soaked body.

The icy water plastered the black cloak tightly against me, outlining every curve. It was more maddening than nakedness itself.

The humiliation was so overwhelming that I wished I could kill myself right then.

However, I did not even have the strength to clench my jaw. I could only hang limply from the cross.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

The host's shrill voice echoed through the hall via the microphone.

"Tonight's final lot is called 'The Fallen Angel'!

"Look at this natural blonde hair! Look at this flawless skin!

"The starting bid is $3 million!"

"$3 million!”

"$5 million!”

"$8 million!”

The moment the starting price was announced, the numbers on the giant screen jumped wildly.

Calvin rushed onto the stage, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Gentlemen! This is premium quality!

"What's the point of just looking? Let me help you inspect the goods!"

He stepped into the cage.

I stared at him as tears streamed down my face, shaking my head desperately.

We had been together for three years.

Just last night, he knelt before me, professing his love, promising to take care of me for the rest of his life.

Now he stood in front of hundreds of men, about to display me like livestock.

Calvin stopped in front of me, lowered his voice, and hooked a finger into the fabric at my neckline.

"Quinn, just endure it. What's a little sacrifice from you for my future?"

I struggled wildly, trying to dodge his hand. The ropes cut into my wrists until my flesh was torn and bloody.

Rip!

The soaked upper half of the cloak was torn apart brutally.

Cold air hit my chest.

Two full, fair curves burst free immediately, exposed beneath the gaze of hundreds of eyes.

The shock of the ice water, combined with my sheer terror, had made their delicate tips stiff beyond my control.

They rose and fell violently with my ragged breathing, trembling as they swayed.

The crowd exploded.

Gasps, the sound of swallowing, and frenzied applause all blended together.

Countless gazes glued themselves to my chest. The humiliation made it feel as if ice were running through my veins.

"Mhm… Mhm…"

I let out a broken, despairing whimper, trying to curl in on myself. I desperately attempted to draw my arms together to cover myself.

However, my futile struggle only made my curves sway even more obscenely.

"Everyone, look!"

Calvin pointed at my trembling chest, shouting excitedly.

"Look at that reaction! Look at that color! So sensitive! Absolute top-tier!"

He flicked it hard with his fingers.

My entire body shuddered as an uncontrollable sound spilled from my throat.

The men below went insane.

"Tear it all off!"

"Show us below! I bet it's just as tender!"

The jeers grew louder and louder.

The smile on Calvin's face became more and more twisted.

He pulled a small bottle from his pocket, grabbed my chin, and forced the liquid down my throat.

"Cough… Cough…"

A strange, unbearable heat surged up from my lower abdomen.

"Since everyone's so interested, let's give them the full show!"

He tossed the empty bottle aside and moved behind me.

Cold fingers slid down my spine, grabbing the last remaining scrap of fabric hanging at my waist.

He leaned in close to my ear, his voice dripping with malice.

"Quinn, don't blame me. Blame yourself for being too seductive. Everyone wants to take a look at it."

I struggled like I had lost my mind, trying to kick him away, but my weakness only made it look like flirtation.

"Can't wait any longer?"

Calvin sneered, suddenly tightening his grip.

Rip!