CHAPTER FIVE

ANGELA:

I sat tensely in the chair as Agnes prepared her tattoo equipment to brand my fair skin with Richard’s name.

I had never imagined a day like this would come.

How did I end up like this?

In just one day—one night—I was sold off to my elder sister’s boyfriend.

Tears welled in my blue eyes, but Agnes didn’t say a word to me.

She was focused on her work, as though making a mistake would cost her life.

“You don’t have to cry. Master Richard has never allowed anyone to wear his brand before,” Agnes said, keeping her gaze fixed on my chest.

I winced as the cold needle pierced my skin, etching *Richard Henshaw* onto my fair skin.

Once Agnes was done, she smiled and stepped back.

“Take a look,” she said. The room was lit with bright white light.

As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I was stunned to see Richard’s name written in italic font across my chest.

“Do you love it? Would you like anything added?” Agnes asked, grinning widely.

“No, I’m fine,” I replied coldly, though my voice trembled with pain.

“You don’t have to pretend. Master Richard wants you—no other woman in Top Hills City bears her master’s name so boldly. You should consider yourself lucky,” Agnes said as she cleaned her tools and packed her bag to leave.

I didn’t reply. I had no words for her, and I certainly didn’t feel like thanking her.

I’d never had a tattoo before. Now I wore a brand—right on my chest, just above my cleavage.

A knock sounded at the door, and it unlocked as Richard entered, his expression cold.

He wore a white shirt and black trousers, having removed his coat.

“I’m done, Master Richard,” Agnes said with a smile. Richard glanced at me, his cold eyes checking that his name had been properly branded.

He stepped closer. “You did well. It’s good to see her branded properly. Meet Derek—he’ll settle your payment and escort you back safely.”

“Alright, Master Richard. Thank you.” Agnes bowed and quickly left the room.

I lowered my head, never expecting to be in such a deep mess.

“What are you thinking about?” Richard asked as he strolled from the door toward me. “Thinking about your parents?”

I didn’t bother to look at him.

“Speak when I talk to you,” he ordered, stopping in front of me.

He was the mafia lord’s son—how dare I disobey him, knowing he didn’t love me?

“Why did you buy me? What do you want from me? Please, let me go. I promise I’ll pay you back once I graduate and start working,” I begged, looking up at his handsome, dark face.

Richard laughed coldly and peered at me.

“What kind of job do you plan to work to pay me back? Do you intend to sell that beautiful body of yours to raise the money?” he asked, trailing a finger along my arm.

The coldness of his touch made my skin crawl.

“No, not like that. Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to pay you back. Or let me speak with my father—please, let me call them,” I begged, tears welling in my eyes.

“Fine. Go ahead and call your father. Let’s see what he can do to help you,” Richard said, pulling out his phone and handing it to me.

My hands trembled as I took the iPhone from him.

“I can really call my parents?” I asked in disbelief.

Richard smiled, leaning against the dressing table. “Yes. Let’s see if they can pay me back, since you still don’t understand that your duty is to serve me now.”

Richard wore a bored expression, and I quickly opened the call log to contact my father.

My hands shook as the phone rang.

“Hello, Father,” I said as soon as he answered.

“Angela, what’s wrong? What happened? Your mother has been trying to reach you without success. Where are you, and who told you to leave home?” My father’s voice was loud and angry.

“Dad, Isabella took me to Richard’s party and sold me off tonight.”

“What? How dare she! Are you sure? Where are you? Whose phone are you using? Who bought you?” Dad demanded.

Richard stepped forward and took the phone from my ear.

“Please, let me speak to my father,” I begged. He smiled.

“Hello, Mr. Moraga,” Richard’s icy voice spoke into the phone.

“Yes? Who is this?” my father asked.

“Richard Henshaw. Your daughter belongs to me now.”

“No, Richard. You can’t do this. Angela is not for sale. She’s innocent—she didn’t willingly offer herself to the dark realm. Please let my daughter go. I’ll pay you. Don’t touch her,” my father pleaded.

I was stunned that my father knew about the auction.

“You know the rules. I’ve already bought your daughter, and I don’t want a refund. If I hadn’t purchased her tonight, another mafia lord would have, and you wouldn’t be negotiating now. Blame your eldest daughter, Isabella,” Richard said. I sat in the chair, looking at him in disbelief.

Did Richard know Isabella was taking me to the dark realm to be sold?

Did he plan this with my sister—to have me kidnapped and sold to him?

“Dad, don’t listen to Richard! He planned it with Isabella! Richard was looking at me during the party, and Isabella took me there against my will. Call the police, Dad! I can’t be locked up here!” I screamed, hoping my father could hear me even though Richard held the phone.

Richard laughed. “Mr. Moraga, I’d appreciate it if you called the police. But you know the rules—even the government turns a blind eye to the dark realm. I’ll only return your daughter when I’m tired of having her around—when I’m done with her.”

“No, Richard, please… Angela is innocent. She’s not like Isabella. Let’s make an exchange. Isabella loves you—I’m aware of that. Isn’t she your girlfriend?” my father asked nervously.

I wondered why my father was so afraid of Richard. Was it because Richard’s father was the top mafia boss in the city?

“I have nothing more to say to you. What I do with your daughter is my business. As for Isabella…” Richard hesitated on the call as he looked at my face. “I never wanted her. I only used her to keep other women away and to stop my father from arranging a marriage. So I’ll keep up with my relationship with Angela until I find a wife.”

“What?” I stared at Richard in disbelief.