Chapter 4 The Reason For Her Purchase

The moment Charlie crossed through the iron doors and stepped into the open air, a sharp wind and pinpricks of rain swept across the woman's face. Instinctively, she pressed closer to his warmth, letting his coat shield her from the chill.

Tilting her head, she nestled against his shoulder, inhaling the clean scent of cedar mixed with rain on his clothes. For just a heartbeat, she could almost forget what she'd just endured.

Reaching out, she let the cold drops land on her fingers, pulling in deep breaths of the fresh air as though she might never get enough.

Rain tapped across her skin, each drop sparking in her eyes like newly discovered jewels. She looked at her hand as if she'd stumbled upon some secret magic.

Charlie noticed, voice edged with impatience but not unkind. "What are you chasing after?" He didn't brush her hand away.

Behind them, bodyguards clustered with umbrellas, quietly shaking their heads. To them, she must have looked foolish-delighting in rain like a child who'd never seen it.

But none of them saw the hope fade from her gaze, replaced by an icy purpose. Five years had gone by. She was still breathing. Now she was out. And soon, she'd see old debts paid.

...

A short distance away, a sleek yacht waited at the pier. Levi Hopkins, flanked by armed guards, scanned every shadow, his stare sharp as a blade.

No one had been allowed to carry weapons inside the auction, but relief flickered across Levi's face as Charlie and his group approached.

He straightened, greeting them with a curt nod. "Mr. Ford."

Charlie gave a short nod, his presence alone radiating command. "We're leaving."

"Understood."

Levi's eyes flicked to the woman Charlie carried so effortlessly. Wasn't he supposed to secure a priceless artifact? Instead, he'd returned with a woman in his arms-personally, no less. Word was, Charlie couldn't tolerate women nearby and was obsessively clean.

Preston sauntered over, clapping Levi on the back. "Careful, Levi. Staring at her like that isn't exactly good manners."

Levi cleared his throat and dropped his voice to a whisper, "Who is she?"

Preston's lips quirked as he stroked his chin. "Blood slave. That's all you need to know."

Apparently satisfied that she posed no real threat, Levi let his curiosity drop. Still, he couldn't help himself. "Why would Mr. Ford buy a slave? And a woman, at that?"

Preston shrugged, equally in the dark.

But then, a thought struck him. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Want to guess how much he paid?"

Levi scratched his head, intrigued. "How much are we talking?"

"Twenty billion," Preston replied, spreading his hands wide.

Levi's jaw dropped. He glanced over at the woman on the sofa, disbelief plain on his face. "You could buy a fleet of fighter jets for that kind of money. What's he going to do with a slave?"

He shook his head, unable to imagine why Charlie would spend such a sum on anyone.

From her spot on the sofa, the woman watched the two men whisper and trade glances in her direction, suspicion flickering through her mind. It was hard not to wonder what scheme they were cooking up.

She ignored the two men whispering about her, turning her focus instead to Charlie's tall silhouette as he strode confidently toward the waiting yacht.

A thousand questions circled in her mind. Why had he intervened? What did he want from her now?

She had no answers-only instinct, which told her to move carefully.

If there was any chance to slip away, she'd seize it.

But for the moment, escape wasn't an option. Sticking close to Charlie, for now, was the only way to stay safe.

With that, she hurried after him, matching his pace as best she could.

Charlie was aware of her following, and a trace of amusement flickered across his face. At least she had sense enough to know whose shadow to stick to.

He led the way into his private cabin on the yacht, never glancing back as she slipped in behind him.

Just as she was bracing for his next move, Charlie tossed a bundle of clothes at her, his tone smooth but edged with disdain. "You're a mess. Clean yourself up and put these on."

She peeled the clothes off her head and glanced up, finding him watching her with cool expectation.

In that instant, the reason for his purchase of her clicked into place.

Her feet hesitated, but Charlie's eyes narrowed. "What's the matter? Don't tell me you can't understand a simple order."

With a silent nod, she clutched the fresh clothes and made her way to the bathroom, her steps heavy and careful.