In the fifth year of my overseas venture, I made a last-minute decision to fly home. The plane had barely touched down when a friend dragged me to a high-end auction, before I even had the chance to call my family. In the center of the glittering hall, a massive screen was playing a short video of my younger sister on a loop. Her fiancé, Leo Vance, had his arm wrapped around a simpering woman, his gaze dripping with condescension as he looked down at my sister. His voice was a blade of mockery. “Jasmine just broke a little hairpin of yours, and you have the audacity to demand a king’s ransom for it?” “Since you’re so ‘rich’,” he sneered, “why don’t you make a scorched earth bid on all thirty-six of these videos... unless you want them to go viral.” My sister Chloe’s face was ashen. Her hands were clenched so tight her knuckles were white, but she stubbornly kept her lips sealed. I sat in the VIP suite, my face a mask of stone, saying nothing. Hah. I’ve been gone for five years, and someone already has the nerve to target a member of the Smith family? … My assistant didn’t dare breathe. “I’ll get the owner of the auction house in here right now. He’ll apologize to you personally.” “No need,” I said, my expression unchanging. “Let them play their little game for a while longer.” To challenge me on my own turf? The auction house, along with every single person who participated tonight—none of them would be getting away clean. Outside the suite, a pack of men were pointing and snickering at the screen. “I always thought the Shen family’s daughter was such an innocent little thing. Who knew she was such a freak in bed? Just look at that expression… even the thumbnail is getting me going.” “Leo, you lucky bastard. You’ve had your way with that incredible body.” Chloe’s whole body trembled as she stared at Leo, her face deathly pale. Leo arched a brow. “Whoever wins the bid gets a free set of high-res photos.” “That’s our Leo! Always generous!” A cheer went up from the crowd, the men’s eyes burning with a feral heat. Tears streamed down Chloe’s face. “Leo, how could you do this to me?” “Oh? Is this too much for you?” he taunted. “Aren’t you loaded? Demanding two million for a hairpin? You must have more money than you know what to do with.” He gestured to the screen. “Look, thirty-six of them. You can bid to your heart’s content.” The woman beside him, Jasmine, giggled behind her hand. “Oh dear. A scorched earth bid costs ten million dollars, you know. Sister, I hear you’ve been picking through leftovers in the cafeteria. Do you have that kind of money?” She leaned into him. “And don’t even think about using Dad’s money. He only spends it on me. There’s nothing left for you or that bitch of a mother of yours.” “I wonder if my dear sister has any hidden savings to make a bid?” My brow furrowed. Since when did my sister, Chloe Shen, have to resort to eating scraps? I looked closer. The custom-designed gown I’d gifted Chloe was now on Jasmine’s body. Even her jewelry adorned Jasmine’s head. Meanwhile, my sister was wearing a pair of washed-out jeans, the cuffs frayed, clearly a cheap piece of fast fashion. She was gripping the hem of her shirt so tightly her nails were digging into her palms, her pale face etched with humiliation. Clearly, the woman’s words were true. What in the world had happened? Forget the fact that the Shen family had its own wealth; my maternal grandfather was the head of the Smith family, a name that commanded respect throughout the capital. How could Chloe have fallen so low? I motioned to my assistant, who immediately left to investigate. For the past five years, I had poured everything into my business, with little contact back home. I’d get calls from Mom and Chloe now and then, but over the last six months, they had become less and less frequent. Recently, they had stopped altogether. Worried, I had flown back unannounced. Tears finally broke free, and Chloe confronted Leo, her voice choked with anguish. “Why? I’m your fiancée! These moments… they were private, between lovers. How could you put them up for auction?” Leo didn’t even look at her. He picked up the microphone. “Bid or don’t. Stop wasting my time with your whining.” “If you’re not going to bid, then get out. My friends here are getting impatient.” Chloe looked around the room. Every person here was a multi-millionaire. How could she possibly compete with them in her current state? Her face was a canvas of despair. The sheer weight of the shame made her lower her head, desperate to flee, but a group of men blocked her path. “Well, well. You’re already putting yourself on the market, but you still know how to blush?” “Don’t go, Miss Shen. If Leo won’t bid for you, I will. Just one night with me, and I’ll buy one for you.” “Shut up!” Leo barked, silencing them. Then, he turned to Chloe, his voice casual. “If you get on your knees and apologize to Jasmine right now, I might consider taking one of the videos down.” “You…” Chloe was so furious she couldn’t speak. “My, look at the expression on her face. She doesn’t seem very willing, does she?” Jasmine purred, pressing herself against Leo. “Clearly, she thinks one man… isn’t enough for her.” Leo’s face turned to iron. Chloe bit her lip so hard I thought it would bleed. Under the weight of a hundred mocking stares, she slowly returned to her seat. “Fine,” she said, her voice trembling but unnervingly clear. “I’ll bid.” Leo stared at my sister’s ramrod-straight back, a flicker of surprise on his face. I was a little surprised, too. In the suite, I was flipping through the information my assistant had just sent over. It was true. Chloe was penniless, working eight part-time jobs just to survive. Looking at her, thin as a wraith, I had no idea how she planned to compete. On the grand screen, a high-definition video of my sister played. It showed her from every angle, cutting away at the most intimate moments, leaving every man in the room hot and bothered. “The first set,” the auctioneer announced, his eyes sweeping the room. “Starting bid, five hundred thousand.” A murmur went through the crowd. “Leo, you’re too good to us! Afraid we couldn’t afford it?” “So cheap? I’ll take ten.” The auctioneer raised a hand to quiet the room. “As this is the first set, it comes with a special audio commentary.” With that, a synthesized, sultry version of Chloe’s own voice filled the hall, narrating the actions in the video, describing her feelings, punctuated by moans of manufactured pleasure that weren't in the original footage. “Incredible! Only a high-society girl could sound so refined even when she’s begging for it!” “That sound alone is enough to get me hard!” “One million!” … The room erupted. Bids flew back and forth. Chloe shot to her feet, her eyes blazing red as she glared at Leo. But he remained as still as a statue, the cold smirk on his lips a stark contrast to the frenzied hall. Yet the moment Jasmine moved closer, he was a different person, his touch gentle as he tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “Five million!” “Seven million!” “Scorched earth!” Chloe’s trembling voice cut through the noise. Everyone turned to stare at her. “Sister, a scorched earth bid is fifty million. Do you have the money? Have you been verified?” Jasmine’s light, airy question prompted the auction house staff to approach Chloe. “Miss, we have no record of you being financially verified. If you cannot cover your bid, you will be forcibly removed and will face legal consequences.” My heart tightened. I was about to intervene. But Chloe reached up, removed a locket from her neck, and placed it on the staff member’s tray. “Use this for verification.” Jasmine scoffed. “A cheap trinket from a street stall, and you want to use it to cover a fifty-million-dollar bid? You’re going to make me die of laughter!” But before she could finish, the verification result came back. “Congratulations, Miss Shen. Your scorched earth bid is successful!” “What? That piece of junk is worth fifty million?!” Jasmine shrieked. Even Leo, who had been lounging lazily, sat bolt upright. I understood instantly. That locket was a Smith family heirloom. My sister and I each had one. They were worth over a hundred million. She wouldn't have brought it out unless she had no other choice. And now, a locket worth a fortune had only been valued at fifty million… I shot a cold glance at the auction house owner, who was standing before me, bowing respectfully and wiping sweat from his forehead. The auction continued outside, the atmosphere even more feverish than before. “She actually did it.” “What a shame. I wonder if the next ones have audio commentary. I love the sound of her voice.” As if on cue, the narration for the second video began to play, full of feigned emotion. “Set number two! Starting bid, still five hundred thousand!” The room exploded again. “Yes! If every set comes with that soundtrack, I’ll buy them all. Listen to them every night before I sleep.” “You’d be going at it seven times a night! Hahaha!” One shameless man reached out to touch Chloe’s face. “Come on, make a sound for me right now, and I’ll bid on one for you. We can watch it together tonight, just the two of us. I promise I’ll satisfy you in ways you’ve never dreamed of.” “Shameless!” Chloe slapped his hand away. Enraged, the man moved to shove her, but Leo stopped him. “Don’t cause trouble here. This is Smith territory, are you trying to get yourself killed? Once you’re outside, you can do whatever you want.” “Hmph! Acting all pure. Just another whore for sale. Twenty million!” “Thirty million!” “Thirty-three million!” The color drained from my sister’s face. Her eyes, usually so full of laughter, were now pools of despair. But she gritted her teeth and cried out, “Scorched… earth!” The auctioneer looked troubled. “Miss Shen, the collateral you provided was only valued at fifty million. If you wish to make another scorched earth bid, you will need to be re-verified.” Chloe looked lost. She turned to Leo. He was her fiancé, yet he was letting her most private moments be exposed to the world. But Leo just smirked, his face a mask of contempt. “Don’t look at me. I’m not getting involved. Do as you please.” The last glimmer of hope died in Chloe’s eyes. She lowered her head, and a sob escaped her lips. Just then, Jasmine spoke up. “Sister is crying. I suppose I’ll make the bid for her this time.” “After all, she is my father’s daughter. Even if she won’t acknowledge me as her sister, I can’t be as heartless as she is!” I frowned. Since when did my father have another daughter? My assistant leaned in. “Mr. Shen brought her home two years ago, a student from a poor family, supposedly as a companion for Miss Chloe. Six months ago, Mr. Shen held a banquet and announced that Jasmine was his biological daughter, lost at birth.” I almost laughed. Good for you, Edward Shen. Getting up to these tricks at your age. You must have a death wish. But first, I had to get my sister out of this mess. Leo’s eyes on Jasmine were full of admiration, a complete reversal of the cold indifference he’d shown Chloe. “You’re pathetic!” Chloe shot back. “What do you think you are? The master of the house throws you a few scraps, and you start thinking you’re a lady?” “Chloe Shen!” Leo’s voice was ice. “Shut your mouth! I’ve been too lenient with you! Apologize to Jasmine now!” Chloe threw him a look as cold as frost and turned to the auctioneer. “I’ll be verified!” She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a small, folded charm, placing it on the tray. Jasmine shot it a disdainful look and blocked the staff member with her foot. She pinched the yellowed paper between two elegant fingers as if it were something filthy and tossed it aside. “Hah. Some piece of trash you picked out of a dumpster, and you want to use it for verification?” The paper fluttered to the ground. She nonchalantly ground it under her leather high heel. “No, please!” Chloe cried out, throwing herself forward and grabbing the hem of Jasmine’s dress. “That’s… that’s the last thing I have…” Jasmine looked down at her, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “Oh? Is that so? Then this will be a good lesson for you. This is what happens when you cross me.” She gracefully lifted her foot, ready to stomp down. “Stop!” A manager rushed over, blocking Jasmine’s foot before it could land. “Collateral placed on the tray cannot be damaged before verification. Otherwise, you will be ejected from the premises and held liable for compensation!” “It’s just a piece of paper. I can afford to pay for it!” The manager was experienced. He deftly snatched the charm from the floor and placed it back on the tray. “Miss, please follow the rules.” Leo patted Jasmine’s arm to soothe her, and she reluctantly backed down. Before the crowd’s laughter had died down, the auctioneer’s voice rang out. “Verification successful!” “Congratulations, Miss Shen. Your scorched earth bid is successful!” The room was in an uproar. “It’s just a piece of paper, how could it pass verification?” “What is this, a game? Someone from the auction house better explain this!” The manager strode onto the stage. An image of the charm appeared on the big screen. “After authentication, this charm was personally scribed and blessed by the Abbott of the secluded monastery of St. Giles. It is priceless. Conservatively, its value is estimated at eighty million.” “As per auction house rules, this item can cover the cost of one scorched earth bid!” He was right. That charm… I had personally journeyed to that monastery when Chloe was eight and burning with a fever, praying at every step, to acquire it for her. Seeing this, my knuckles turned white around my teacup. Leo Vance, you’ve gone too far. “Don’t be angry, Jasmine. Watch me put her back in her place,” one of Leo’s cronies said, trying to comfort the fuming Jasmine. “Yeah, Jasmine, that was only the second set. There are thirty-four more. Let’s see what else she can pull out!” “Hey, little beauty, got any more money? Or are you going to have to strip to raise the funds?” The gazes of the crowd fell on Chloe, heavy and tangible. Some shook their heads in pity, others hid smirks behind their hands. “A desperate struggle.” “The next one is mine!” Chloe’s face was as white as paper. She truly had nothing left. Her mouth opened and closed several times before she finally lowered her proud head. “Leo… please, stop the auction…” Her voice was a whisper, lost in the roar of the crowd, but Leo heard it. He looked up at her, a flicker of emotion on his face. Jasmine saw it and immediately pouted. “Sister, you’re so good at playing the victim!” “Weren’t you just working eight jobs a day? Eating leftovers?” “And yet, you’ve already spent over a hundred million. No wonder you wanted two million from me for a simple hairpin!” The trace of pity on Leo’s face vanished. He shot Chloe a disgusted look and went back to watching the show as if he’d heard nothing. Seeing his complete indifference, Chloe finally broke. Unable to bear the jeers any longer, she turned and fled. I gave a single look, and my assistant followed her out. Just when everyone thought she was gone for good, Chloe returned. Leo’s friends, not satisfied, shouted at her. “You have money? What are you doing back here?” “If you’re broke, get out! We played along for Leo’s sake, but now you’re just shameless, refusing to leave!” Even the auctioneer frowned. “Security! Clear the floor!” This time, Chloe slapped a black card onto the tray. “Verify this. I’m buying out all the remaining videos.” The entire hall went into a frenzy. Jasmine shrieked, “Are you insane? You could sell yourself and you wouldn’t be worth that much!” The auctioneer’s voice was cold. “Miss Shen, you must be certain this card is valid. Otherwise, you know the rules of this auction house. Not only will you be liable for financial damages, you could also face criminal charges.” “I’m aware. Please proceed.” All eyes were glued to the screen. Even Leo, previously so nonchalant, now had a grave expression on his face. The card was swiped. A collective gasp swept through the hall. “That’s… impossible!” Leo shot to his feet, his knuckles white. The entire venue felt as if it had been struck by lightning. “What the hell!”
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