CHAPTER 3

Mia’s POV

“Introducing our last girl for auction. Mia - 20 years old, untouched,” the man in charge of the auction process announced loudly, emphasizing more on his last word.

The crowd erupted in hushed whispers and murmurs. Though I couldn't see the faces behind the voices, I could sense their presence. The large hall was dimly lit, with a single spotlight shining down on me from above, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.

The man beside me continued with the introduction, and the hall fell silent as the men listened intently to his every word.

“Let the auction begin,” he announced, and the hall immediately brightened as lights flooded the room.

I could now see the faces of the guests, and it only intensified my fear. The room was filled with men of different ages, all seemingly wealthy, based on their appearance. They were here with the intention of purchasing one of us for a purpose I dreaded to discover.

Excitement was evident on their faces as they leered at me, making me feel violated in every way imaginable.

"Fifty thousand dollars!" The first man bid, causing my mouth to drop in shock.

Were these people insane? Why would they be willing to spend such exorbitant amounts of money for their twisted desires? I felt repulsed just by looking at them.

The murmurs resumed, but this time the tone was filled with annoyance.

"Why raise the bid so high from the start?" one man exclaimed.

"Didn't you hear? She's a virgin! You won't find many of those around here," another man countered.

"Maybe you don't belong here if a mere fifty thousand dollars can faze you. The broke lads should know their place," snickered another man.

"Seventy thousand dollars!" the first man yelled, his face turning red with anger, visibly upset by his colleagues' taunting.

"Calm down, gentlemen. Let's focus on the bidding," the MC intervened.

"Have her remove her clothing. We need to see what we're bidding for," another man demanded, a wide smirk plastered across his face.

The rest of the crowd nodded in agreement, seemingly pleased with the idea. I couldn't help but shiver in fear, turning to the MC with pleading eyes, silently begging for mercy. I would rather die than undress in front of their lustful gazes.

"You heard them," the MC said coldly, his eyes devoid of sympathy or mercy.

"Please," I weakly begged.

He pointed to the gun discreetly positioned behind his pants, a silent threat that further fueled my fear. The crowd fell silent as I reluctantly raised my hands to my bra straps. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions.

I had never imagined my life would take such a horrifying turn. Now, I found myself in a situation beyond my worst nightmares.

"Two hundred thousand dollars!" A man at the far back of the room announced.

Loud gasps echoed through the hall, and I froze in shock, mirroring the stunned expressions of the other men. The MC was momentarily speechless, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Bidding at two hundred thousand dollars. Any more bids?" the MC asked loudly.

Silence was the only reply he received.

"Going once?"

"Going twice?"

"Going thrice?"

"...and sold!" the MC declared.

Squinting to get a closer look at my new owner, my stomach churned with a mixture of fear and disgust as a heavily bearded old man stepped forward. The man who had just purchased me...

Could things possibly get any worse?

Escorted by guards, I followed my new owner after he completed the payment. I remained seated in the back of the car beside him, while his driver took us to an unknown destination. Countless thoughts and questions raced through my mind, but I knew I couldn't ask any questions. I also worried about my sister—was she in a worse position than me?

"What a rare beauty. He will appreciate you," the old man broke the silence, a self-satisfied smile on his face as he scrutinized me.

"He?" I asked, puzzled.

"Marco," he clarified.

"Who is Marco? And who are you?" I pressed, sensing a slight change in his demeanor that might offer an opportunity to uncover some answers.

"My name is Henry, and that's all you need to know about me," he replied dismissively.

"As for Marco, he's your new owner," he added.

"What? Are we heading there now?" I asked, my heart pounding furiously.

The fear of the unknown terrified me. Would Marco be yet another old man? Or would he be worse than Henry? Marco was an enigma, and that fact alone intensified my fear.

"Eager, aren't you?" Henry snickered.

"You, darling, will be my gift to him. I almost feel sorry for you because you don't seem like you'd last long under him... you're too fragile. But ironically, that's exactly why you're the perfect gift for him. He will relish breaking you, reducing you to nothing, and he'll have so much fun doing it," he smirked.

My face drained of color, and a wave of fear washed over me upon hearing his callous words. How could things get even worse than I had imagined? With each passing moment, I grew more terrified of encountering Marcus. I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me, just to be free from this nightmare.

"We have arrived," Henry announced.

"Come, meet your new master," he smirked, a malevolence gleaming in his eyes.

I felt utterly doomed.