“Ivy, look! It’s a foreigner from C Country!” the blonde-haired girl next to Estelle exclaimed, gripping Estelle’s
hand with excitement.
Estelle deftly sidestepped the grip, but her eyes widened in surprise when she caught sight of the girl on the
stage.
It was Evelyn, the girl she had encountered outside the convenience store just yesterday.
She had been captured and was now being auctioned off.
In Citadel, a town known for its shady dealings, a pretty girl could fetch around $500.
Estelle furrowed her brow deeply, realizing the girl hadn’t heeded her warning and had stubbornly continued her
search for her boyfriend.
Evelyn came to on the stage, her eyes widening in fear as she registered the crowd of onlookers who encircled
her like wolves. She tried to flee, but then realized she was clad only in a bikini, and quickly wrapped her arms
around herself.
The auctioneer began to call out the starting bid.
Evelyn looked bewildered and lost, until her eyes found a familiar figure in the crowd. Her face lit up with joy, “Lynn, you’re here?”
Chains bound her feet to the cage on the ground, making escape impossible. In her desperation, she stumbled and fell hard to
the floor, her cries piercing the air, “Lynn, it’s me, Evelyn! I came for you!” Estelle followed her gaze to a man in a crisply white
shirt, who was blending into the crowd. His handsome features was marred by a frown of torment as he heard Evelyn’s cry and
then turned to leave. Evelyn’s eyes bulged, “Lynn, come back!” “I’m Evelyn, don’t go!” “Save me!” “Don’t leave me!”
Evelyn collapsed to the ground, her sobs of despair drowned out by the raucous laughter around her.
Estelle suddenly noticed an unmistakable red birthmark on Evelyn’s exposed back. She remembered her
grandfather’s words, about the granddaughter her master had lost.
Evelyn was about the same age as that missing girl!
Was it a coincidence?
The auction was nearing its end, and the bid had reached $10,000.
Attractive girls, especially those from abroad, were highly coveted here.
Lambert’s voice came through with a warm chuckle, “Darling, are you asleep?”
Estelle whispered back, “Yeah.”
“I can’t sleep. Care for a drink?” Lambert offered.
Estelle glanced back at Evelyn on the stage, her impatience growing, “No, I’m about to hit the sack. Go drink
yourself.”
“It’s boring alone,” Lambert persisted. “Do you fancy brandy or whiskey?”
He mused to himself, “Brandy suits you better. Sweet with a fruity aroma, yet with a spicy kick that lingers.”
She spun around, and under the flickering lights, she locked eyes with Lambert’s deep brown gaze.
Estelle gasped, “What are you doing here?”
His eyes roamed over Estelle’s maid outfit, “Though, I must admit, you look stunning in this dress!”
Estelle paused, then coolly explained, “I couldn’t sleep. As for the outfit, it just seemed to fit the vibe around
here.”
Lambert feigned enlightenment, “Ah, so this is what you like!”
Suddenly, a roar of cheers erupted from the stage area. Estelle turned to see Evelyn being claimed by a tall
man in the crowd.