CHAPTER 5

(Angela's POV)

I sat tensely in the chair while Agnes unpacked her tattoo equipment, ready to etch Richard's name onto my beautiful fair skin.

I never imagined this day would arrive. How had I ended up like this?

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

Tears welled up in my blue eyes, but Agnes remained silent toward me.

She concentrated on her task, determined to avoid any mistakes, as if her life depended on doing it right.

"You don't have to cry. Master Richard has never allowed anyone to wear his brand before," Agnes said, keeping her gaze focused on my chest.

I winced as the cold drawing tools pricked my skin, outlining Richard Henshaw on my beautiful fair skin.

Once Agnes finished, she smiled and stepped back from me.

"Take a look at it," she said, noting the room's bright white lights.

As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I stared in stunned silence at Richard's name scripted in italic font across my chest.

"Don't you love it? Do you want to add anything to it?" Agnes asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"No, I'm fine," I replied coldly, though my voice brimmed with pain.

"You don't have to pretend. Master Richard wants you—no woman in this Top Hills City has bared their master's name so boldly. You should consider yourself lucky," she said as she cleaned her tools and packed her bag to leave the room.

I didn't reply to Agnes. I had no words for her and felt no urge to thank her.

I'd never had a tattoo before; now I bore a brand on my chest, right at the top of my cleavage.

A knock resonated on the door, and it unlocked as Richard entered with a cold expression on his face.

He wore a white top and black trousers, having shed his coat.

"I'm done, Master Richard," Agnes said with a smile, and Richard glanced at me coldly to verify if she had branded me properly.

Stepping closer to me, Richard replied, "You did a good job, Agnes. It's good to see you've branded her well. Meet Derek; he'll settle your payment and escort you back safely."

"Alright, Master Richard. Thank you," Agnes said, bowing to Richard before hurrying from the room.

I lowered my gaze, never expecting to sink into such a deep mess.

"What are you thinking about?" Richard asked as he strolled from the door toward me.

"Thinking about your parents?" he asked, but I refused to meet his eyes.

"Speak when I talk to you," he ordered, positioning himself in front of me.

As the son of the mafia lord, how could I disobey him, knowing he felt nothing for me?

"Why did you buy me? What do you want from me? Please let me go. I promise to repay you once I graduate and start working," I begged Richard, gazing at his handsome dark face. He laughed coldly and peered at me.

"What kind of job do you plan to take to repay me? Do you intend to sell this beautiful body to men for money?" he asked, trailing his finger down my right arm.

The coldness of his touch made my skin crawl.

"No, I'm not saying that now, but in the coming years, I'll repay you. Or let me speak with my father—please, let me call him," I begged Richard, tears welling in my blue eyes.

"Fine. Go ahead and call your father. Let's see what he can do to help you," Richard said as he pulled out his phone and handed it to me.

My hands trembled as I took his phone. "I can really call my parents?" I asked Richard in disbelief.

He smiled, leaned against the dressing table, and replied, "Yes. Let's see if they can repay me. Since you don't grasp that your duty is to serve me now."

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

My hands trembled as I heard the call ringing.

"Hello, Father," I said as soon as he answered.

"Angela, what's wrong? What happened? Your mother has been trying to reach you with no success. Where are you, and who let you leave home?" my father demanded, his voice booming with anger.

"Dad, Isabella took me to Richard's party, and she sold me off tonight."

"What? How dare Isabella! Are you sure? Where are you? Whose phone is this? Who bought you?" Dad demanded, and Richard stepped forward, snatching the phone from my ear.

"Please, let me speak with my father," I begged Richard, and he smiled.

"Hello, Mr. Moraga," Richard's icy voice addressed my father.

"Yes. Who is this?" my father asked, and Richard replied, "Richard Henshaw. Your daughter belongs to me now."

"No, Richard. You can't do this. Angela isn't for sale. She's innocent. She didn't willingly offer herself at the Dark Realm. Please let go of my daughter. I'll pay you back. Don't touch her," my father pleaded.

Meanwhile, I reeled in shock that my father knew about the dark realm.

"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 might have, and you wouldn't be negotiating. Blame your eldest daughter, Isabella," Richard said, and I sat staring at him in disbelief.

Did Richard know my sister was taking me to the Dark Realm to be sold?

Did he plan with my elder sister to have me kidnapped and sold to him at the Dark Realm?

"Dad, don't listen to Richard! He planned it with Isabella! He stared at me at his party, and she took me against my will. Call the police, Dad! I can't be locked up here!" I screamed, hoping my father could hear, even though Richard held the phone.

Richard laughed and said, "Mr. Moraga, I'd appreciate it if you call the police. But you know the rules? Even the Dark Realm has the government on a leash. I'll only return your second daughter when I'm tired of her and done with her."

"No, Richard. Please... Angela is innocent. She's not like Isabella. Let us exchange. Isabella loves you, as I'm aware. Isn't she your girlfriend?" my father asked nervously.

I wondered why my father feared Richard. Was it because Richard's father was the top mafia boss in the city?

"I have nothing more to say. What I do with your daughter is my business. As for Isabella," Richard paused on the call, glancing at my face.

"I never wanted her. I used her to fend off other women and prevent my father from arranging a marriage. So, I'll maintain the relationship with Angela until I find a wife."

"What?" I stared at Richard's face in disbelief.