Chapter 3

As soon as he said it, the crowd erupted. Some even took out their phones to take pictures.

The flash blinded me.

Having been drugged, I couldn't transform into human form quickly.

I crawled forward slowly, only for Gabriel to drag me back savagely.

He slammed my tail against an iron railing. The immense pain blacked me out.

Rough, greasy hands reached for my shoulders. I thrashed wildly, screaming, "Get away! Don't touch me!"

"Don't touch me!"

Fiona came over, stomping on my hand with her sharp heel. She looked at Gabriel expectantly, "Gabriel, why don't we cut off one of her hands?"

"Anyway, she's useless now. The main goal today is to get the mermaid tears, right?"

Gabriel quietly gazed at Fiona, a hint of menace in his eyes.

Everyone fell silent, the man kneeling next to me stopped.

Fiona shivered uncontrollably. It was her first time seeing Gabriel like this.

She realized she'd crossed a line, so she let go and coyly ran into his arms, "Gabriel, I was just joking. We still need the goods intact, right?"

"Don't be mad, okay?"

Fiona's attempt to smooth things over got the scene lively again. Gabriel scowled and ordered the men pinning me down to leave.

They exchanged looks, unwilling to stop touching me.

Gabriel snapped, "Didn't you hear me? Get down!"

On stage, only the auctioneer and Gabriel's friends remained.

Fiona threw Gabriel a flattering smile, and his friends anxiously watched him, fearing he'd change his mind, denying them their fun.

I looked up, a glimmer of hope in my eyes. Even if he turned back now, it would be something.

Gabriel smirked, "Start the bidding."

I froze, the laughter of the crowd filling my ears. I lay on the ground, helplessly laughing.

I had overestimated Gabriel's love for me.

A bearded man in the audience raised his hand, "One billion!"

```plaintext

On the exhibition stand, only the auctioneer and a handful of Gabriel's friends were left. Fiona looked at Gabriel with a sycophantic smile, while the friends beside her cast worried glances his way. They were anxious that Gabriel might have second thoughts, depriving them of any potential gains.

I glanced up, a spark of hope in my eyes. Even if he reconsidered now, it would be for the best. Gabriel smirked, "Let's begin the bidding."

I stood there, frozen, as the sound of laughter from those people filled my ears. I laughed bitterly on the ground, realizing I had overestimated what little affection Gabriel had for me.

A bearded man in the audience raised his hand, "One hundred million!" All eyes turned to him as he stroked his beard. "This woman crossed me before; once I get her, I'll make sure she pays."

He was a CEO who had once collaborated with Gabriel. I had sued him for leaking company secrets. Now, I appeared before him, reduced to a mere servant in the most humiliating way.

He got up and slowly made his way to the stage, giving me a kick. "Chloe, where's your pride now?"

One hundred million was nearly the highest bid. Everyone shook their heads in resignation, "Mr. Thomas really doesn't hold back."

"This woman won't survive in his hands; I've heard he has some peculiar tastes."

Mr. Thomas lit a cigar, "Gabriel, you keep your promises, don't you?"

Gabriel looked down at me, his gaze devoid of emotion. Fiona smiled and approached, "Of course, a deal's a deal. Businessmen value their integrity."

Mr. Thomas came closer, yanking my hair and dragging me away. I struggled, shaking off his grip. For the sake of my life, I abandoned my dignity, half-crawling to Gabriel.

0