Prologue

Carnation inhaled deeply and swallowed forcefully when she noticed the document on the table. With a quivering hand, she accepted the paper and pen Mist offered.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Mist inquired. Carnation bit her bottom lip and looked down at the papers she was holding. "Once you sign the contract, you can't back out." She remained silent, so Mist spoke up again, "think about it twice."

Carnation breathed deeply with a loud sigh. She didn't want to do this job, but she didn't have any other choice. Her earnings aren't enough to pay for her father's medical bills, repaying their debt, and family support.

"It's still possible to quit," Mist suggested.

She shook her head repeatedly. "No. . . I've made up my mind."

"You're pretty desperate, aren't you?"

When Carnation's father was diagnosed with lymphoma and required long-term treatment, she was devastated. Their family's small business failed, and they were in great debt. In order to support her family, she had to drop out of college. She has worked a variety of part-time jobs, but she has found it difficult to keep up with their expenses and bills. She wants to get a good full-time job, but no one will hire her due to her lack of experience and lack of further education.

Carnation knew she shouldn't have taken this job, but she was desperate and needed a substantial sum of money as soon as possible.

"My family is in serious debt, and this is the only way I can pay it off."

"You're so lovely. . . you don't belong here. But what options do I have? People like you are exactly what our business requires. . . desperate women willing to clinging to a knife's edge."

Carnation wanted to laugh. It's true, some people will take advantage of a person's frailty in order to benefit themselves. She was blind to Mr. Lust's exploitative and greedy nature. She mistakenly believes he is generous, kind, and caring.

Carnation placed the paper on the wooden table. She took a deep breath and quickly signed the contract before returning it to Mist.

With a melancholy look, the woman accepted the contract and said, "you can no longer revoke what you have already signed. From today, you are now Mr. Lust's property." Carnation's heart was torn apart by the news. She traded her freedom and pride for the sake of money.