The Auctioned Wife

I looked at Nathan and spoke evenly. "The Bennett Group holds a controlling stake in this auction house. I have the authority to stop this auction." For three full seconds after I finished speaking, the room was deathly silent. Then an even louder wave of laughter erupted. Someone shouted, "The Bennett family? The one that disappeared without a trace fifteen years ago? If you're going to lie, at least make it believable!" "She's read too many novels and thinks she's some fallen princess," another person chimed in, drawing even more vicious laughter. Seated in the place of honor, Nathan held Sophia in his arms. He shook his head with a helpless, indulgent smile. "You're making up a lie like that just to escape your punishment?" He turned to the crowd. "Everyone, my wife, Evelyn Bennett, is actually an orphan with no family at all." "Not a single relative attended our wedding." He paused, his tone both pitying and cruel. "She's always felt inferior because she grew up an orphan. Sometimes she talks nonsense and imagines she has a happy family. I hope you'll forgive her." Sophia cut in at precisely the right moment and shook her head sympathetically. "Evelyn, why make up lies to deceive everyone?" Every gaze turned contemptuous and mocking. Some people even looked at me with pity, as if I were insane. The auctioneer cleared his throat. Ignoring me completely, he announced that the auction would continue. "Ladies and gentlemen, that was only a minor interruption." "Now, back to the auction. Our next item is an original audio recording of Ms. Evelyn Bennett." There was no image on the large screen, only a pulsing audio waveform. Then my voice once again filled the hall. It was the sound of my gasps and pleas to Nathan during our most private moments. "Nathan... please..." "Tell me you love me... say it..." "I'd do anything for you... anything..." The woman in the recording sounded utterly submissive and debased, the complete opposite of the aloof woman standing before them. The men in the room grew visibly aroused. Their gazes became even more brazen and obscene. Some licked their lips, while others loosened their belts. "Nathan, how did you train an ice queen to sound like that?" "I'm getting that recording. I want to put on my headphones tonight and savor it alone." "Five hundred thousand!" "One million!" Bids rang out one after another. Nathan maintained his polished smile, admiring his own masterpiece. Sophia leaned over and whispered something in his ear. He chuckled and affectionately tapped the tip of her nose. As the bids for the recording climbed amid the uproar, I finally broke down. I stared at Nathan and screamed hoarsely, "Stop! All of you, stop!"