Chapter 2

How could I possibly compete with them? "I need to use the restroom," I whispered. I quickly wiped away my tears and turned to leave. If I stayed a second longer, I feared I might break down right then and there. Laughter erupted behind me. "It seems the ice queen is not entirely without shame after all." "Mr. Tucker, don't wait for her. What can a woman with 100 million dollars do against us? She probably just needed an excuse to escape." "Shut up," Damian said coldly. He stared toward the entrance with an expression so dark that everyone else quickly fell silent. Moments later, I opened the door and walked back in. Under countless stares, I calmly resumed my seat. My eyes were still red. "Let's begin," I said. A flicker of surprise crossed Damian's face as he glanced at me. To fully showcase the images, the screen behind the host had been converted into a panoramic display. The photos surrounded the room, rotating in a continuous loop without blind spots, ensuring that every guest had an unobstructed view of my humiliation. "Item No. 1. Starting bid: two million dollars," the host announced with a smirk. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. "This is truly something. It is the perfect blend of elegance and depravity. Only someone born into high society like Ms. Whitmore could carry herself like such a whore with this much finesse." "Two million five hundred thousand dollars." The host remained silent and instead revealed a block of text beneath the photo. I got to my feet in horror. It was a graphic and detailed narrative of our wedding night. Only Damian and I could have known such specifics. Trembling, I turned to look at him. He sat in silence, smiling mockingly, as if none of it had anything to do with him. He only turned his head and softened his gaze when Susan leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Around me, the murmurs were deafening. "I thought the photos were already hot enough, but the footage is even more insane than I imagined. Forget it, I'm going all in. Five million dollars. I want the video." "Six million dollars." "If she could do that on the first night, I can't imagine what comes after. Damn. Ten million dollars." "I will take it." My voice was shaking, but firm. All eyes turned toward me. "Bidder 38 requests to purchase outright," the host said. "Are you certain?" I collapsed into my chair and weakly said, "Yes." "What a pity. That video must have been incredible." "What are you worried about? She will not last more than a few photos." "Exactly. The further it goes, the more intense it gets." "Bidder 38 confirms the purchase. Congratulations to Ms. Whitmore for acquiring the video footage." I closed my eyes as my fingernails dug deeply into my palms. The screen immediately changed to display the second photo, along with a new matching description. "Item No. 2. Starting bid: two million dollars." The crowd burst into an uproar. "Is this real? This puts everything I've studied to shame." Someone sitting near me poked me in the arm. "Who would've thought? You look so innocent, but you're filthy behind closed doors." I glared at him. He burst out laughing. "That's exactly my type. If Mr. Tucker no longer wants you, please come find me. I'll even bid on a picture for you. How about that?" "Don't touch me," I said with a chill that could slice through bone. The man snorted and leaned back in his seat. "Stop pretending. You're already used up. Ten million dollars!" "20 million dollars!" "25 million dollars!" "I will take it." I didn't even know where I found the strength to say it. The host looked at me with a knowing smile. "Bidder 38 confirms the purchase." The deal was finalized. With the same professional expression, the host looked my way again.