Clara was sold off to a billionaire’s parents as a slave in exchange for the debt her parents owed Mateo’s parents. There was nothing else to be done since Clara’s parents were poor and could not afford to pay their debt, and Clara was their only child and most expensive possession. The only solution was to give Clara in exchange for their debts after they’d begged for more time countless times. Mateo’s parents had run out of patience and asked for their most expensive possessions or they'd be arrested.