“Dare to get into my bed, do you even know who I am?”

Hot breath brushed against her ear, and Sophia Johnson shivered slightly, lying bare in the man’s arms.

The man beneath her was Victor Allen, the head of the most powerful family in Capital City, the Allens.

Victor Allen.

The man she had no blood relation with but still had to call him Uncle.

“It’s hot… I want…”

Sophia feigned drunkenness, refusing to answer.

She had no way out. Leaning down, she kissed his Adam’s apple—this man was her only chance.

Tonight, her fiancé Ryan Blake had brought her to this yacht auction, only to offer her up to a business partner.

She refused to be some traded item sold to the highest bidder. With no other choice, she bolted at a critical moment.

But she knew she couldn’t escape the control of her family and her mother.

If her body was to be a bargaining chip, then she’d choose to offer it to someone whose identity would crush anyone trying to expose her later—the most untouchable man in Capital City.

The second-floor lounge on the yacht was dark, but the sounds and sights of the bustling auction downstairs were clearly visible.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the bidding war roared on.

Sophia was jittery, her hands clumsy with nerves.

It was well-known that Mr. Allen was cold and abstinent, a man no woman had ever managed to approach. "It’s exactly that—she’s so unresponsive, no matter what I do."

"You have the guts to climb into my bed, and that’s all you’ve got?"

Victor Allen narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed with her performance.

Fresh off the plane tonight, he hadn’t expected women to throw themselves at him so soon.

But here she was, acting all enthusiastic while her moves were amateurish at best.

Her fair skin glistened under a light sheen of sweat, her damp black hair stuck to her face. Despite her eagerness, her flushed cheeks betrayed just how poorly she was handling herself.

He had every reason to honestly push her away, but instead, his strong hands gripped her soft waist tightly.

"I’ll teach you how it’s done."

Victor’s athletic frame adjusted slightly, giving her control but subtly guiding.

He was patient, letting her learn between words and actions.

Meanwhile, the sounds of a charity auction drifted in from outside.

"And now, up next is a treasure from the Han Dynasty—a white jade sculpture of a woman, exquisite in detail. Its craftsmanship and texture are unparalleled. Starting bid: three million!"

Victor gazed at the woman in his arms, as perfect as the jade being described.

The lively bidding drowned out the quiet noises escaping Sophia Johnson’s lips.

"White jade beauty—ten million, first call."

"Second call!"

"Third call—sold!" The sound of the gavel, mixed with heavy, entangled breaths.

The night draped over the cruise ship as it rocked gently with the waves, losing out to the rhythm inside.

...

By dawn, the cruise ship had returned to dock.

Sophia Johnson took the chance to leave while the man was in the shower.

The dull ache in her lower back and legs made her walk with an odd stiffness.

A wool shawl was draped over her shoulders, hiding the marks the man had left on her skin.

She spotted Ryan Blake waiting impatiently nearby, with Jessica Clark standing by his side.

Honestly, she'd known for a while now that something was going on between them.

But she didn’t have the proof, nor the right to break off the engagement.

"Ryan, I’m back."

Sophia walked up to him, masking herself with a mild, obedient expression.

There was a time she thought Ryan Blake was her ticket out of the Johnson family. But it turned out he was just the same as her foster mother—only using her as a pawn for their deals.

When Sophia reached out towards him, Ryan scowled and pulled away, his voice full of disdain.

"I told you to properly talk business with Mr. Huang. Did you do it?"

How the hell did that old man manage to drag it out for three hours?

Ryan’s gaze landed on her, his expression freezing for a moment.Victor Allen watched Sophia Johnson, her eyes shimmering like water, lips swollen, with a soft blush still lingering on her cheeks. Even her breaths carried a faint allure that made his heart itch slightly.

"Alright, I'll make sure to take care of everything you told me to," she said, a seductive smile playing on her mouth.

But inwardly, Sophia scoffed. Her first time had been far from pleasant. That man hadn’t even pretended to be gentle.

Ryan Blake snapped out of his thoughts, a wave of disgust washing over him. All he could think was how filthy Sophia seemed to him.

"Heh, this is the only thing you're good at," he sneered.

Everyone in the city knew the so-called daughters of the Johnson family were nothing but social butterflies, their arms wrapped around countless men. His family insisted on this engagement with Sophia, the third daughter of the Johnson family, hoping to cozy up to the power behind them—the Allens.

But all it had earned him was the mockery of his friends, constantly jabbing at the “green hat” he was wearing. Since his family wouldn’t let him call off the engagement, he might as well use Sophia as a bargaining chip, serving drinks and companionship to his business partners.

"Ryan, Sophia must be tired. Let her go home and rest, okay?" Jessica Clark clung to Ryan, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Sophia pretended not to notice the act. Playing innocent and staying quiet was part of her strategy.

"Jessica, you're so considerate. Since you're going the same way, why not have your dear brother here take you home too?" Sophia said, her smile unreadable.

It all made sense now—why Jessica had pretended to be her friend in school, dragged her name through the mud as if it was second nature. She just wanted to steal Ryan.

But really, men like Ryan? Even if someone handed him to her, she'd throw him right back."Alright, that's enough."

Ryan Blake felt a sudden surge of heat just looking at Sophia Johnson.

As soon as he got into the car, he couldn't wait to pull Jessica Clark into his arms and started kissing her.

"Ryan, slow down! Sophia hasn’t even left yet. What if she sees us?" Jessica's half-hearted resistance only made Ryan more eager.

Sure, Sophia had the looks and the body, but who knew how many men she'd been with? Jessica, though? She was much... purer.

---

Back home, Sophia stepped into the house to find Linda Harris sitting in the living room.

"Mom, I helped Ryan close a business deal tonight," Sophia said as she walked over, kneeling by Linda's feet like an obedient pet.

Linda spotted the faint marks on Sophia's neck and nodded approvingly. "Good, Sophia. A woman should always follow the three obediences and four virtues, do everything to please her husband. That’s your greatest purpose."

"I’ll remember your teachings, Mom."

Sophia smiled like a dutiful daughter, but her fingernails were digging painfully into her palms.

"You've been very obedient. I'll make sure Lily’s medical bills for this month are taken care of," Linda added in a cold, controlling tone.

Hearing that, Sophia finally let out a small sigh of relief, her tense nerves easing ever so slightly. "Thanks, Mom."

Ten years ago, Linda Harris adopted her and her twin sister, Lily Johnson, from the orphanage. Lily, unfortunately, has a severe heart condition. The hefty medical bills every month are like chains around Sophia’s neck—there’s simply no escape.

Before heading back to her room to freshen up, Sophia handed over the gown and jewelry to Mrs. Angeles for inspection.

Mrs. Angeles checked everything thoroughly but suddenly frowned and asked coldly, "Why is one earring missing?"

"It shouldn't be! It must be in the bag!"

Sophia was certain she hadn’t lost it—after all, she had removed the dress herself last night, along with the accessories. Quickly rummaging through her bag, she found the earring and passed it to Mrs. Angeles.

After counting all the items, Mrs. Angeles glared at her and issued a stern warning, "Miss Johnson, remember that everything you have is because of Mrs. Harris. And if you ever try to sell jewelry like you once did back in the day, you’d better be ready to spend time locked away again!"

"I won’t do it again," Sophia murmured, her head lowered.

Once Mrs. Angeles left, however, all her subservience faded away. Her gaze turned resolute—no trace of fear or submission remained.

She was determined to break free and live the life she truly wanted.

...

The next day, Addison Allen hosted a welcome banquet at the Allen residence. Whenever there was an event like this, Linda Harris would always dress up Sophia Johnson to perfection, aiming to catch the eye of powerful men.

Walking through the grand entrance, the chatter among Victor Allen’s relatives filled the place, though neither Sophia nor Linda drew any attention.

A sleek black sports car pulled up.

“It’s Mr. Allen!”

Sophia’s back stiffened, her gaze instinctively turning toward the car.

Suddenly, chaos erupted as everyone rushed over to greet him enthusiastically.

Victor didn’t bother getting out of the car. He simply lowered the window, revealing his hand holding a cigarette.

A white jade ring glinted on his thumb—the same one that had bruised her last night when he showed no mercy.

The memory made Sophia flush red, her ears burning as she tried to move away from sight.

But Linda suddenly nudged her forward, urging, “Victor hasn’t been back in three years. Go on, greet your uncle.”

Sophia held her breath, hesitantly stepping closer.

Three years since she last saw him—and now she wondered... Did he recognize her as the woman from last night?