"Don't worry, Mr. Cross. I’ll make sure you’re satisfied."

Her sudden submissiveness only made Ethan feel a suffocating pressure in his chest, a nameless fury rising within him. He suddenly grabbed her, pulling her close and kissing her with a savage intensity.

Seraphina whimpered and struggled, but Ethan easily pinned her wrists. His body pressed against her, his hand reaching to tear at the gown.

In the driver's seat, the chauffeur kept his eyes fixed on the road, slowing the car down discreetly.

The car's heater was on full blast, but Seraphina felt as if a jagged winter wind was howling through her heart. She was like a fish on a carving board, being stripped of her dignity in front of others at Ethan’s whim.

The intense humiliation surged through her like molten lava. She couldn't take it anymore. She lunged forward, her teeth clashing against his, biting down hard on his lip. The iron tang of blood snapped Ethan back to his senses.

He groaned in pain and pushed her away, wiping the blood from his mouth. He gritted his teeth, his voice a low growl.

"You bit me again!"

Seraphina scrambled to pull up her straps, huddling into the far corner of the seat to get as much distance from him as possible. Her eyes were dark and mocking.

"I didn't realize Mr. Cross was so starved. What’s the matter? Is Evangeline not enough for you? If you wanted to take me right here, I wouldn't mind, but..."

She gestured toward the driver, who was pretending to be invisible, and smiled brilliantly.

"Having an audience costs extra."

Chapter 6

Ethan’s gaze swept over the car, his lust cooling instantly. "You have no shame," he spat. "But I do."

He turned away, closing his eyes to rest, ignoring her for the remainder of the trip.

Seraphina let out a bitter laugh and adjusted her dress. When they reached the venue, Ethan held out his arm, waiting for her to take it. But she didn't move.

He turned and saw her smiling at the driver, thanking him for opening the door. It was a soft, genuine smile—a look Ethan hadn't seen in a year. For the last twelve months, she had given him nothing but sarcasm and lies.

That strange irritation flared up again, but before he could snap, a pair of arms slid through his. Eva, radiant in a high-fashion gown, beamed at him. Her face bore a haunting resemblance to a younger Seraphina.

For a split second, Ethan saw the eighteen-year-old Seraphina smiling at him.

"Ethan, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever."

The sugary voice snapped him back to reality. He hid his momentary disappointment and patted Eva’s hand.

"Didn't you say you wanted to see Seraphina? I brought her."

Eva followed his gaze and saw Seraphina. Internal jealousy burned through her like acid. Even as a captive, Seraphina possessed an innate, effortless elegance that Eva could never replicate.

That was what Eva hated most. When Seraphina was a princess, she was untouchable. Now that she was a disgraced dog, how did she still have the audacity to look so composed?

To maintain her image in front of Ethan, Eva put on a display of pure innocence. She rushed forward and threw her arms around Seraphina in a hug.

Under the cover of the embrace, she dug her nails into the soft flesh of Seraphina’s waist, pinching with all her might.

"Sera, I missed you so much! Has Ethan been good to you? If he dares to bully you, tell me, and I’ll deal with him for you!"

The sharp pain made Seraphina gasp. She furrowed her brow and shoved Eva away. Before she could utter a word of protest, Eva collapsed to the ground, clutching her ankle and crying out.

"Ah! It hurts..."

Ethan’s face hardened. He rushed over to scoop Eva into his arms, glaring at Seraphina.

"Seraphina Thorne! What do you think you’re doing?"

Eva clutched Ethan’s collar, shaking her head frantically.

"Ethan, it wasn't her fault! I just... I didn't have my footing."

Ethan’s brow was knit in a deep scowl, his face like stone.

"Eva, I saw it with my own eyes. Stop making excuses for her."

Eva’s eyes welled with tears as she bit her lip. "Our families have been friends for years. It was my father's fault for not warning Sera's dad about the fraud... It's only natural that she blames me for her family's bankruptcy."

Ethan wiped her tears away tenderly. "The business world is a battlefield," he said coldly. "Her father was a fool. She has no one to blame but him."

Seraphina watched the two of them in silence, their display of affection turning her stomach. A night breeze swept past, raising goosebumps on her skin.

She rubbed her arms and said flatly, "Are you two done with the performance? It's freezing out here. I’d like to go inside."

Ethan snapped his head up, his gaze sharp and piercing.

"Seraphina, do you not know how to apologize when you’ve done something wrong?"

Seraphina looked confused. "Is there something wrong with your ears? Eva just said it herself—she tripped. It has nothing to do with me."

If looks could kill, Eva’s venomous glare would have struck Seraphina dead on the spot.

Ethan let out a dark, frustrated laugh. He lifted Eva in his arms and said with cold indifference, "Fine. Spoken like a true spoiled princess. I hope you can keep that same composure once we get inside."

With that, he strode toward the hall with Eva in his arms.

Cuddled against Ethan’s chest, Eva called back in a small, sweet voice, "Sera, come in quickly! Ethan has prepared a special movie for everyone tonight. I want to see if you like it!"

Chapter 7

A sinister premonition welled up within her. Suddenly, Seraphina had no desire to enter; she wanted to flee this place immediately.

But as she took a single step back, the driver—the same one who had blushed while opening her door earlier—blocked her path with a face as cold as stone.

"Miss Thorne, please!"

With no other choice, Seraphina was forced into the hall under the driver's silent coercion.

The moment she stepped inside, she realized the room was filled with men—countless men. A tidal wave of lewd comments and filth instantly flooded her ears.

"Look at what Seraphina Thorne is wearing. So the former princess really is that much of a slut."

One man licked his lips, shifting slightly to hide the arousal in his trousers.

"That video earlier already had me hard. Her expression was pure ecstasy. I wonder if the real thing tastes as good as she looks."

"Mr. Cross said the highest bidder tonight gets her for two weeks. Don't fight me for her, brothers!"

Seraphina’s heart jolted. Before she could process their words, Ethan stepped onto the stage and raised a microphone. His voice was steady and deliberate.

"Welcome to this auction. The clip you just saw was merely an appetizer. To ensure everyone has a better experience, I will be releasing 999 videos tonight for your selection."

The crowd surged with excitement, and countless greedy, predatory eyes fell upon Seraphina.

"Next, please enjoy the first full-length video of Seraphina Thorne."

Sensual sounds immediately filled the ballroom. On the giant screen was a high-definition shot of Seraphina’s face. Her skin was flushed, her voice a lingering moan, her eyes filled with an indescribable passion.

The men’s breathing hitched, the heavy sound of their collective lust threatening to swallow her whole.

Seraphina felt as if she had been struck by lightning. A deafening roar exploded in her mind, and she began to shake uncontrollably, losing all command over her own body. The mouths of the people around her moved, but she could hear nothing but the ringing in her ears.

Ethan appeared at her side at some point, leaning in to whisper with a smile, "Do you like this gift, Seraphina?"

His voice was like a demon’s murmur, dragging her down into a bottomless hell.

Eva covered her mouth, feigning innocence, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Sera, you look like you're in so much pain in that video. Are you feeling unwell?"

A man jeered with a lecherous laugh.

"Miss Vance, you’re far too naive. Seraphina isn't in pain; she’s in absolute paradise."

"Look at that shameless look on her face. She looks like she’s trying to drain a man dry."

Ethan let out a scoff. "The pampered heiress of the Thorne Group has quite an appetite. She isn't that easily satisfied."

Humiliation burned through Seraphina, but even though she was shaking like a leaf, she refused to utter a single word of surrender. She looked at Ethan with defiance and utter contempt.

"I was just bitten by a dog. I couldn't care less. But Ethan, your methods are becoming increasingly pathetic. It seems this is all the talent you have left."

The air around Ethan turned frigid, his eyes blazing with fury.