Chapter 3

At his words, the crowd erupted, some even pulling out their phones to take pictures.

The flashing lights stung my eyes, making it impossible to see.

I had been drugged, so my mermaid form couldn't transform into human shape quickly.

I painfully dragged myself forward inch by inch, but Brandon brutally pulled me back.

He slammed my tail against a nearby iron railing, the immense pain making my vision go black.

Several rough, greasy hands reached for my shoulders. I thrashed wildly, screaming.

"Get off me! Don't touch me!"

"Don't you dare touch me!"

Sienna came over, pressing her sharp high heel onto the back of my hand. She looked at Brandon with expectant eyes.

"Brandon, how about we cut off one of her hands?"

"She's useless anyway, and the main goal today is just to get her mermaid tears, right?"

Brandon's dark eyes fixed on Sienna.

Sienna's face stiffened, realizing she had crossed a line.

She lifted her foot from me and threw herself into Brandon's arms, whining.

"I was just kidding. I know that things at an auction need to be kept intact."

"Brandon, don't be mad."

Brandon patted her waist, "Good that you know."

The atmosphere was buzzing. Brandon frowned at me for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling the burly men who were on top of me to get off the stage.

They exchanged glances, clearly reluctant, still wanting to touch me again.

Brandon growled. "Did you not understand me? Get down!"

I lifted my head, battered, a flicker of hope in my eyes.

But Brandon only smirked, "Now, let the bidding begin."

I froze, the crowd's jeering filling my ears. I lay on the floor, helplessly curled into a ball.

I had overestimated Brandon's meager love for me.

A rich kid in the audience raised his hand, "One hundred million!"

Everyone turned to look. He spoke with malicious glee, "This stinking bitch offended me before. Once I get my hands on her, I'll make sure she regrets it."

I knew this man. He was Brandon's arch-rival, Marcus.

Previously, he had tried to bribe Brandon's company employees to steal a bid document, but I had caught him, creating bad blood between us.

Now, I stood before him like a lowly servant, in the most despicable state.

He rose and slowly walked onto the stage, kicking me lightly. "Aurora, where's your arrogance now?"

One hundred million was almost the highest price. People shook their heads, disheartened. "Young Master Marcus is really generous."

"That woman won't have a life in his hands. I heard he has some... special fetishes."

Marcus lit a cigar. "Mr. Brandon, you're a man of your word, right?"

Brandon looked down at me, his eyes unreadable.

Sienna smiled, walking up to Marcus, "Of course. Businessmen value their word."

Marcus approached me step by step, grabbed my hair, and started to drag me away. I struggled, shaking off his hand.

To save my life, I abandoned my dignity, half-crawling towards Brandon.

"Please, don't let me go with him."

"I saved you then. If you help me this once, we can call it even, okay?"