Chapter 2 Sold To The Highest Bidder
The moment my feet touched the ground, one of the men tightened his grip around my arm while another pulled out a strip of red cloth and tied it firmly over my eyes.
"What are you doing?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice. "Where are you taking me?"
No one answered. A rough shove from behind forced me forward. I stumbled over my own feet, struggling to keep my balance as they led me deeper into what felt like a massive building. Every beat of my heart echoed inside my ears. Without my sight, every sound became painfully clear. Heavy boots struck the floor, metal doors creaked open and shut, and somewhere in the distance a woman screamed.
"Please! Don't take me!"
Another voice cried for help, followed by another until the entire building seemed alive with fear. Some women sobbed uncontrollably. Others called the names of their parents, husbands, or children. Their desperate voices wrapped around me like invisible chains.
Stay calm, Tracy.
Panicking won't help.
I forced myself to focus. The floor beneath my feet changed from rough concrete to smooth marble. The air grew cooler. I counted every turn they made—left... right... then another right. I couldn't see anything, but maybe if I survived, these details would matter.
The men finally stopped.
Someone untied the blindfold.
Bright light flooded my eyes. I blinked several times before my vision settled, and when it did, my breath caught.
Rows of iron cages stretched across both sides of a huge hall. Every cage held frightened young women. Some clung desperately to the bars while others sat in silence with empty expressions, as though hope had already abandoned them. A few noticed me and slowly shook their heads, warning me without saying a word.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
This wasn't a prison.
It was a marketplace.
I forced myself to look around instead of giving in to fear. Two security cameras watched the hall from opposite corners. Armed guards stood near every exit. There were only two visible doors leading outside, and both were heavily guarded.
Even if I ran... I wouldn't make it.
The sound of high heels echoed through the hall.
A beautiful woman dressed in an elegant navy-blue dress approached with a confident smile. Diamonds glittered around her neck, but her eyes were as cold as winter. She looked me over slowly, examining me the way a merchant inspected expensive goods.
"Is this the new arrival?" she asked.
"Yes," one of the guards replied.
"Good."
She turned toward me.
"Come with me."
"I... I don't want to."
One guard shoved me forward.
The woman didn't even glance back.
She simply smiled.
"You'll learn that what you want doesn't matter here."
As we walked through another corridor, I noticed small black cameras fixed to the ceiling every few meters. Every door required a security card. Escape seemed impossible.
Then my mother's voice echoed inside my mind.
Your father is dangerous... Never trust him.
Why now?
Why would I dream about that?
Did it have something to do with this place?
Before I could think further, we stopped outside a pair of enormous black doors.The woman rested her hand on the handle.
"Behave yourself," she said calmly. "You'll only make things difficult."
I swallowed hard.
"Please... let me go. My family must be looking for me."
She laughed softly.
"Family?"
Her smile widened.
"If they wanted you... you wouldn't be standing here."
The words pierced my heart.
She pushed the doors open.
Inside was a luxurious ballroom filled with wealthy men and women dressed in expensive clothes. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, live musicians played soft music, and waiters moved through the crowd serving drinks.
If not for the fear on the faces of the women standing along the walls, it could have passed for an elegant charity event.
At the front of the room stood a raised platform.
Everyone's attention shifted toward it as another young woman was led onto the stage.
She looked about my age.
Her hands shook so badly she could barely stand.
"Please..." she cried. "I don't want this. Please let me go."
No one responded.
A man stepped onto the stage holding a file.
"This donor is healthy," he announced. "Excellent medical reports. Strong heart, healthy kidneys, and compatible blood type."
The room fell silent.
Then someone calmly raised a numbered paddle.
Another followed.
Voices began calling out prices as casually as though they were bidding on artwork.
The young woman broke down completely.
"I'll do anything!" she sobbed. "Please don't make me go!"
Tears streamed down her face as two guards dragged her away.
She reached toward the crowd one last time.
Nobody helped.
The music started playing again.
Conversations resumed.
It was as though her cries had never existed.
My stomach lurched.
Dear God...
They're selling people.
My legs threatened to give way beneath me.
I looked around, searching desperately for someone—anyone—with a trace of sympathy.
Instead, I saw indifference.
Cold.
Expressionless.
The beautiful woman beside me leaned close enough for me to hear.
"You're next."
Every muscle in my body went rigid.
"No..."
My voice barely came out.
"I won't go."
A guard grabbed my arm before I could step back.
"You don't have a choice."
He led me toward the stage.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Hundreds of eyes followed me.
Some curious.
Some amused.
Some calculating.
I lifted my head and forced myself to remember every face, every guard, every exit. If I survived this place, I would remember them all.
Just as I reached the first step of the platform, the ballroom doors swung open.
The room fell silent.
Every guest turned.
A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit walked inside with unhurried confidence. His sharp features, commanding presence, and icy expression made the room seem smaller around him.
Even the guards straightened.
The woman beside me lowered her head respectfully.
He didn't spare anyon
e a glance.
His cold eyes settled on me.
Then, without the slightest emotion, he spoke.
"Stop the bidding."
A heavy silence filled the ballroom.
"I'll take her."
My blood turned to ice.
