"Mr. Simon, she's ready for you!"

"This time, it's my own daughter, just turned nineteen and she's pure!"

Clara opened her eyes on the luxurious suite's bed.

Her whole body felt weak and sore. She discovered she had been dressed in a black silk nightgown, her hands were tied to the head of the bed, looking like she was ready to be "plucked".

Hearing the voices outside the door, she grit her teeth. She had been sold!

Recalling the wine her stepmother had given her, she gave a bitter smile. No wonder her normally harsh stepmother and indifferent father were suddenly so affectionate towards her.

They must have drugged her!

Just as she realized this, the footsteps in the hallway grew closer and the sleazy voice sounded once more.

"If you please me this time, I'll give the land in the southern part of the city to the Gerald family."

This was bad, they were coming!

Clara couldn't struggle to untie the rope, she quickly hid in the bathroom near the entrance.

At the door, Everley, her stepmother, was all smiles, "We thank you in advance, Mr. Simon. Please inspect the goods first. We guarantee your satisfaction."

Antonio, her father, was grinning from ear to ear.

The three entered the room, but the bed was empty. In an instant, their smiles froze, they stood dazed.

"Is this what you claimed would satisfy me? Antonio, are you trying to make a fool of me?!" Mr. Simon roared in anger, his jowls quivering with each word.

Antonio was utterly bamboozled, he turned to the woman beside him and questioned, "Everley, what the hell is happening? Didn't you say everything had been arranged and it was foolproof?"

Everley was equally bewildered, "She couldn’t have escaped. To prevent her from running away, I even tied her up. And, I also gave her…”

In the midst of their conversation, Clara quietly slipped out of the restroom and bolted towards the exit with a desperate urgency.

She was sapped of energy, feeling as light and floaty as if she was treading on clouds.

She bit down on her lips, her hands tightly clutching each other, using the pain to stimulate her to stay alert.

She couldn’t afford to be caught!

"Clara couldn't have gone far, she must still be in the hotel. Mr. Simon, please rest assured, we’ll surely find her and bring her back to you so you can enjoy," Everley's voice echoed clearly from behind her.

Everley, how wicked of a stepmother you are!

Clara leaned against the wall, swiftly scanning her surroundings.

Suddenly, she spotted a slightly ajar door not far off. Gathering all her strength, she quickly slipped into the room, collapsing against the closed door and slowly sliding down to finally slump on the ground.

Just when she thought she had successfully dodged a bullet, she suddenly felt an icy, bone-piercing gaze upon her, causing her body to shiver.

Slowly, she raised her head, opening her attractive eyes to see a man with furrowed brows standing in front of her.

The upper half of the man's body was naked, with a bath towel loosely tied around his waist.

He seemed to have just stepped out of the shower, water droplets still clinging to his body. His hair was damp, the droplets trickling down his forehead along the stray strands.

"Go check the room over there, see if she's hiding in it!"

Footsteps were approaching, followed by a knock on the door.

Clara didn't have the time to appreciate the sight of the beautiful man fresh from his shower, her heart instantly tightened.

The man's throat bobbed slightly, eyelids fluttered, and his lips were parting.

This is it!

She absolutely couldn't let him speak, otherwise it's game over.

With all her strength, Clara burst forward, stood on her tiptoes, and sealed his lips with a kiss!

Mm...

So soft!

The moment they made contact, the man looked down at the daring woman with his eyes wide in shock.

This was his first kiss!

In the next moment, he felt his blood flowing faster, boiling agitations inside him exploding all of a sudden, like a long-caged beast howling to be set free.

Damn it!

This woman had some sort of drug on her lips!

And all Clara felt was herself becoming increasingly restless, and wanting even more.

The knock on the door resounded once again, "Is anyone there, open the door!"

Clara left his lips, her dewy eyes gazed at him, she shook her head and she showed him her bound hands.

"Help me, please!"