The night was seductively dark and heavy. In the vast underground auction house, the stage lights slowly converged on a single spot. When the audience finally saw the last item up for auction, the entire room erupted in chaos, everyone driven to a frenzy!

Bound to a cross was a delicate young girl, adorned with pink bunny ears. Her raven-black hair, exquisite features, and flawless skin were a sight to behold. But what truly captivated the crowd was the massive, gleaming black serpent coiled around her body. Under the spotlight, the snake slithered over the girl, its crimson tongue flicking out menacingly. The girl, terrified, shrank back, her eyes tightly shut as tears streamed down her face.

This electrifying scene sent a surge of adrenaline through everyone present.

"The starting bid is 500,000!" the auctioneer shouted with excitement, his voice echoing through the room. The moment he saw the greedy glint in the eyes of the bidders, he knew this was going to be a fierce competition. Immediately, a flurry of bids followed.

"One million!"

"One and a half million!"

As the bids climbed higher and higher, Mu Cheng's heart sank into despair.

Once the cherished daughter of the Mu family, her life had taken a tragic turn a month ago when her family went bankrupt. Her father, beaten by unknown assailants, had been left with both legs broken. When he was finally rescued, he was unrecognizable, his mind shattered, now confined to a hospital bed, waiting for her to save him.

The doctors had told her that at least five million was needed to continue his treatment. The astronomical sum seemed insurmountable, but her father's condition was deteriorating rapidly, leaving her no time to waste.

If it weren’t for her desperate need to save her father, she would never have stooped to such depths!

She listened as the bidding gradually slowed down. Two million? That's not enough... not nearly enough!

"Five million dollars."

At that moment, a calm yet commanding voice abruptly cut through the air. Gasps and murmurs filled the room as everyone turned their heads toward the source of the voice.

On the second-floor balcony, a man emerged from the shadows, stepping into the light like a phantom summoned from the darkness. His features were exquisitely chiseled, as if carved by a master sculptor. His deep, icy eyes resembled a frozen abyss, cold and unfeeling, yet they radiated an aura of imperial authority. Every inch of his presence exuded the power of a man who had weathered countless storms and stood at the pinnacle of power.

His gaze swept down to Mu Cheng, who was bound on the execution frame. Though his look was subtle, it carried an invisible force, like a whirlpool threatening to pull her in and never let go.

The auctioneer, unable to contain his excitement as no one else dared to bid, shouted, "Five million dollars! Do I hear any higher offers?"

The crowd buzzed with speculation, everyone wondering who the man on the balcony was, yet no one dared to challenge his bid.

"Ah..." Mu Cheng let out a pained cry, her face pale as a sheet. The massive serpent coiled around her seemed agitated by the commotion below, tightening its grip as if it intended to crush her.

"Five million dollars, going once!"

"Five million dollars, going twice!"

"Five million dollars, going three times! Sold!"

Just as the auctioneer declared the final word, a sudden *bang* of a gunshot echoed through the room, plunging everything into darkness.

*Bang*—a second shot rang out. Mu Cheng felt the serpent's grip loosen abruptly, followed by a cold, viscous liquid trickling down her shoulder.

It was the serpent's blood.

Chaos erupted in the auction hall as people screamed and scrambled to escape. In her dazed state, Mu Cheng felt the chains around her body being unlocked. Her legs gave way, and she stumbled forward.

But instead of the expected pain, she was caught in a warm embrace. The next moment, she was lifted off her feet. A deep, magnetic voice whispered in her ear, "I’m taking you away."

The voice, rich and resonant like the notes of a grand piano, felt strangely familiar and comforting to her. Yet, she was too weak to even wonder who this man was. Her body went limp, and she fainted, her head resting on his shoulder.

When she awoke, the repulsive auction hall was gone. The air was lightly scented with incense, and her eyes met white walls and a crystal chandelier. The window was open, and a gentle breeze swayed the pale blue curtains.

As her gaze drifted to the side of the bed, her pupils contracted. Fear and humiliation washed over her once more.

There was a mirror, and in it, she saw herself. Only a thin blanket covered her, barely concealing her hands and feet. Her exposed skin was marked with bruises and red welts, remnants of the serpent-like restraints that had bound her.

These wounds were a constant reminder of what she had endured.

Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, her lips turning ashen. Tears of terror welled up in her beautiful eyes.

She was terrified...

She had been treated like livestock, auctioned off, and subjected to those degrading stares...

It was disgusting, utterly revolting...

Then, the sound of running water from the bathroom made her face turn even paler.

It was only then that Mu Cheng fully realized her predicament.

Memories slowly trickled back, and she recalled the man who had held her before she lost consciousness.

Mu Cheng began to feel uneasy. She didn’t know what would happen to her now that she had been bought, especially since the only thing covering her was a pitifully small blanket. She wanted to get up, to find at least a piece of clothing, but her body felt utterly drained. Even curling up took an immense effort.

The sound of running water in the bathroom ceased, and soon the door opened. A cloud of steam rushed out, and the man emerged, towel in hand, drying his dripping hair. He wore nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. His chiseled features and sun-kissed skin exuded a rugged strength, his muscles rippling with every movement.

He approached the bed, his presence blocking the sunlight. Mu Cheng, now shrouded in shadow, cautiously lifted her gaze to the godlike figure before her. Just like the first time she had seen him, he stared down at her with an icy, imperious air. “Had enough?” he asked coldly.

Mu Cheng quickly lowered her head, her face flushing crimson. But in the next moment, her chin was tilted up, and the man’s scent filled her nostrils. His tongue invaded her mouth in a sudden, fierce kiss.

“Mmm… no…” Mu Cheng weakly resisted, overwhelmed by the intensity of the kiss. She felt like she was suffocating.

The man pulled back, his expression even colder. “I paid five million dollars for you. You don’t get to say no. Behave.”

His rough hands began to roam her body, leaving a trail of heat wherever they touched. Each movement sent shivers through her. Mu Cheng’s feeble hands pushed weakly against him, and a single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

The man hovering over her frowned in irritation. “Why the tears? This isn’t new to you. Stop pretending.”