Chapter Three: Bought Without a Bid
733 Words
The entire ballroom fell into a stunned silence.
Every head turned toward the man who had just entered. Even the guests who had been chatting moments ago immediately lowered their voices. The guards straightened their backs, and the woman beside me bowed her head respectfully.
I didn't understand what was happening, but I could feel it. This man was different. He didn't need to raise his voice or demand attention. His presence alone was enough to command the entire room.
His sharp eyes settled on me, cold and unreadable, making my skin crawl. There wasn't a trace of kindness in them. It was as if he had already decided my fate the moment he looked at me.
"I'll take her."
His deep voice echoed through the ballroom.
The man standing on the stage hesitated for only a second before forcing a polite smile.
"Mr. Knight," he said respectfully. "The bidding has only just begun."
"I'm not asking."
The words were quiet, yet they carried enough authority to silence the room again. A strange tension spread through the hall as some of the wealthy guests exchanged uneasy glances while others looked disappointed, as though something valuable had just been taken away from them.
My heart pounded violently. Who was he? Why was everyone so afraid of him?
The elegant woman standing beside me smiled nervously before stepping forward.
"Of course, Mr. Knight. She's yours."
The word yours struck me harder than anything else. I'm not an object. No one has the right to own me.
"No!" I shouted before fear could stop me. "I'm not going anywhere with him!"
Every eye in the ballroom turned toward me, and the silence became suffocating. The woman looked horrified by my outburst, while one of the guards grabbed my arm so tightly that pain shot through it.
"Be quiet," he growled.
I struggled against his grip.
"You can't do this!" I cried, looking around the room. "Please... somebody help me! Please!"
Not a single person moved. Some avoided my eyes, others watched with amusement, and a few simply continued sipping their drinks as though they couldn't hear my desperate cries. My chest tightened. Were they really going to stand there and pretend this was normal?
As I fought against the guard, I noticed something. Near the entrance stood only two armed men instead of four. One of the emergency exit signs on the far wall flickered every few seconds, and for the first time since arriving, I spotted a service corridor behind the musicians. My heart leaped. There might be a way out.
Without thinking, I drove my elbow into the guard's ribs. He cursed in pain, loosening his grip for only a second. It was enough. I sprinted.
Gasps filled the ballroom as I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the angry voices behind me. My bare feet slapped against the polished marble floor while my heart threatened to burst out of my chest.
"Stop her!" someone shouted.
Guards rushed after me.
I dodged between tables, knocking over glasses and expensive bottles. They shattered against the floor, drawing more screams from the guests. The exit was only a few steps away. I only needed to reach it, but just as I was about to break free, someone stepped directly into my path.
I crashed into a solid chest. Strong hands caught me before I hit the floor. For one brief moment, relief washed over me, but the instant I looked up, it disappeared.
The man in the black suit.
Mr. Knight.
His face remained completely expressionless. I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened around my wrist.
"Interesting," he said, his voice calm. "Most people cry."
His icy eyes locked onto mine.
"You chose to run." I just want to go home," I whispered, struggling against his grip. "Please... let me go."
His expression didn't change.
"That's not going to happen."
"Please," I begged, my voice shaking. "I haven't done anything wrong. My family will be looking for me."
He studied me for a long moment, his face as cold as stone, before turning to the guards.
A shiver crawled down my spine. Something told me that escaping everyone else might have been possible, but escaping this man would be far more difficult.
Without another word, he released my wrist only to nod at the guards.
"Take her to the car."
My blood turned to ice.
- Writer
