Chapter 1

The most dangerous psycho in Hinston's elite circle was my ex, Jason Sterling. So I, Holly Morton, faked my death and ran. Then I met Victor Ashford, who was gentle and warm.

In a foreign country, he gave me the kind of family I'd never had. On Christmas Eve, he shoved a gift into my hands.

He patted my head and smiled, "Congrats. You just won the lottery."

The next second, the world spun.

When I woke up, I was lying on a display stage in a skimpy dance outfit.

Victor stood on stage, mic in hand, announcing to the wealthy bidders in the audience. "Right here, the woman who made Hinston's golden boy lose his mind. Starting bid, three million."

*****

The spotlight was so blinding that I could barely keep my eyes open. All around me was the chaotic shouting of bids and rowdy laughter from the men.

The flimsy dance costume I wore left almost nothing to the imagination. Metal cuffs clamped around my wrists and ankles. The chains were nailed down to the round stage under me.

"Check out this woman. She's top-tier, the real deal," Victor said into the mic, his voice buzzing with excitement as he showed me off like merchandise.

The face that once felt gentle and reliable was now warped by greed and wild frenzy.

I struggled to raise my head, letting my gaze sweep over the crowd below. Faces blurred and twisted, every pair of eyes burning with naked, shameless desire.

My mind was still clouded from the drugs, but the shame seared through my body, sharp and undeniable. Deep inside, fury blazed so hot it made me shake.

I locked eyes with Victor, desperate to find even a flicker of guilt on his face. Nothing. Instead, he flashed me a smug, almost encouraging smile, as if to say, "Look at you. You're worth every penny."

"6 million."

"7.5 million."

The price kept climbing, and Victor's grin got wider and wider.

He walked over, crouched down, and whispered so only I could hear, "Holly, cheer up. After tonight, we'll be set for life."

I spat right in his face. He didn't even get mad, stood up slowly, and wiped his face with a handkerchief. "Looks like our lovely lady's got excited. That makes things even hotter, right?"

The crowd below erupted in another round of raucous laughter.

Some greasy guy stood up, his beer belly sticking out, and shouted, "10 million. Mr. Ashford, can you make the beauty smile for me?"

Victor picked up the mic, giving a refined, gentlemanly smile. "Of course, as long as the price is right." He shot me a warning look.

I glared back at him, pure hatred in my eyes. He wanted me to smile? No way!

I tried to stand, but the metal cuffs on my wrists and ankles instantly tightened, cutting deep red grooves into my skin. It was pointless. All I could do was lie here like some pet, on display for them all.

In my desperation, I caught sight of an ice bucket and champagne on a waiter's tray not far away. If I could get my hands on that bottle...

Just as I was scheming how to stir up some chaos, a deep, metallic voice rang out from behind me. "15 million."

The whole place went dead silent. Everyone whipped their heads around, trying to figure out where the voice came from.

I turned to look. It was a private box, completely hidden behind black curtains, no way to see who was inside. The only thing visible was an assistant in a black suit standing at the door, holding up a numbered paddle with a blank expression.

Victor froze, clearly not expecting the bid to go that high. He couldn't hide the wild excitement on his face. "Fifteen million. Anyone else want to go higher?"

He asked twice, but not a single sound came from the room. The bellied guy who'd been shouting 10 million earlier slumped back into his seat, muttering some choice words under his breath.

Victor brought the gavel down. "Sold. Congratulations, sir. You've won the grand finale of tonight's auction."

A smattering of applause followed, but most people stared, their eyes full of curiosity and envy. Everyone wanted to know which big spender was crazy enough to drop 15 million on a woman.

Soon, two bodyguards came up on stage and unlocked the cuffs on my wrists and ankles. My legs gave out, and I almost collapsed right there. One of the bodyguards grabbed me roughly and dragged me off the stage.

As we passed Victor, I summoned every ounce of strength I had and slammed into him with all my might. He stumbled back a couple of steps, his smile freezing on his face.

I looked him straight in the eye and said, every word dripping with venom, "Victor, you'll regret this."

He put on that gentle, refined look again, aded his gold-rimmed glasses, and chuckled softly. "I only regret not realizing sooner how valuable you are." With that, he turned and bowed respectfully toward the private box.

I was hauled out of the rowdy auction hall and down a long hallway lined with red carpet. At the end stood a heavy wooden door.

The bodyguard shoved the door open, tossed me inside, and slammed it shut behind me, locking it with a loud, final click.

Felt like the living room of a penthouse, luxurious, but totally deserted. Outside, the city's night lights glittered through huge floor-to-ceiling windows, totally unfamiliar.

Where was the buyer? I endured the soreness in my body and warily looked around.

The living room's liquor cabinet was lined with an array of imported spirits. I rushed over, snatched up the heaviest bottle of whiskey I could find, and clutching it tightly to my chest. It was the only thing I had to defend myself.

I crouched in the shadowed corner behind the sofa, my heart racing, threatening to burst out of my chest.

I had no idea how much time had passed when I finally heard footsteps outside the door. Then came the sound of a key turning in the lock. The door swung open.

I held my breath, raising the bottle above my head. The moment whoever it was stepped inside, I was ready to fight for my life.

A tall figure appeared in the doorway, backlit by the light behind him, his face lost in shadow. But that familiar, chilling, dangerous vibe he gave off made me feel like I'd been plunged into an ice bath.

The voice I thought I'd never hear again in my life echoed through the empty room. "Holly, long time no see."