Just as I could recognize him instantly behind his mask, I waited, hoping he would storm the stage like a knight rescuing his princess. But as I waited and waited, I saw him suddenly grab Avilla's hand with delight.
“Baby, she has a rare blood type that matches yours perfectly. Since you're having surgery in a few days, why not bring her home to be your donor? What do you think?”
My heart clenched violently. I stared blankly at Peter, feeling my breath catch in my throat. Avilla's eyes crinkled in a smile, yet they were fixed intently on my face.
Her voice was light and cheerful. Then she said, “Sure, Peter! But she keeps glaring at me; it's kind of scary. After we buy her, I don't want to see her face or eyes anymore, okay?”
Peter agreed without hesitation. “Things we don't need just get in the way. I'll have them taken care of.”
His gaze shifted away from me, landing squarely on the auction podium at center stage. “I'll take this one. I want to light the sky lantern.”
The entire hall erupted in commotion and the auctioneer beside him grinned so widely his mouth nearly split.
“According to the rules on our cruise ship, the final item, ‘Lighting the Sky Lantern’ requires a one-hundred-million ransom. Mr. Fox, are you certain?”
Peter gave a faint nod, then tenderly kissed the corner of Avilla's forehead. “A billion is nothing to secure a backup blood bank for my baby.”
I couldn't hold back any longer. I struggled desperately, the chains clanking loudly as I pulled at them.
Below the stage, Avilla pouted. “Peter, I feel that she seems to be very resistant to leaving with us. Is it because she doesn't like me?”
Peter's lips curved into a faint smile. “A slave dares to harbor grievances against her master? She simply needs more discipline.”
He stepped onto the stage, ordered someone to open the cage and had me led out. With his other hand, he accepted the dragon whip handed to him by a staff member.
“Listen to my baby, do you seem to have any objections to her? Well, now I'll teach you some manners.”
He raised the whip high, striking my bare back with full force, a vicious lash. The excruciating pain made my vision go black for an instant.
When I regained my senses, I tried to scream, but only a hoarse, muffled cry escaped my throat. To ease the agony, I writhed uncontrollably, but the whip seemed to have eyes, seeking out my most tender spots with each successive lash.
I tried to lift my head to look at him, but the iron chain around my neck held me fast, forcing me to maintain that humiliating posture. The grief in my heart was overwhelming.
I desperately wanted to beg him to look at me, recognize me and save me. Only after the 99th lash did he finally stop, though seemingly reluctant.
“I must say, the figure is quite good. She does bear a resemblance...”
His words trailed off as his phone suddenly rang. Without any attempt to hide it from me, he answered the call right in front of me. The searing pain assaulted my senses, while the voice on the other end pierced my eardrums with crystal clarity.
“Mr. Rodriguez, last time you asked us to investigate where Mrs. Rodriguez went after leaving home, we've uncovered new leads...”
Peter snorted coldly, “Do you find her? Then hurry up and bring her back! She dares to run away after just a little punishment? Bring her back, I have scores to settle with her!”
The voice on the other end paused briefly before continuing, “We combed through every surveillance feed in the city. The last sighting was of the madam being abducted by a van while returning home after buying chestnut cakes...”
“What? Abducted?” Peter's demeanor shifted uncharacteristically tense. His voice was tinged with urgency.
