At night.
The surging heat forced many of the residents of the base to leave their hos only at night, making the area look lively.
Brenda borrowed so wooden chairs and a table. She even rented a thunder ability user to charge the generator at regular intervals and ensure a constant supply of electricity. Her eyes were shimring with joy, while she constantly checked the preparations.
One by one, won of different ages started to enter; however, if there was an average age, then it was 50 years.
There were also many n in the crowd, which confused so of the won; however, they rely thought that those n wanted a slave.
Brenda stared at the growing crowd with satisfaction. With a gleam in her eyes, she made her way to her daughter’s room and knocked on the door.
"Ophelia?"
No response.
Brenda knocked on the door again in impatience; however, all that answered her was still silence.
For a mont, Brenda faltered before she loudly knocked again, this ti more with desperation and suspicion than impatience. "Ophelia! Open the door!"
Click!
The next second, the door was pushed open, and Ophelia with puffy red eyes erged.
Brenda exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, impatiently grasped Ophelia’s forearm, and asked, "What took you so long?"
"Nothing... just so period cramps." Ophelia hissed due to the pain of a sharp nail piercing her skin, but didn’t dare to push away Brenda.
Brenda’s grip loosened when she saw Ophelia’s red eyes, and she said softly, "Go and get ready. Mom has prepared a special dress for you."
"Special dress? Why?" Ophelia asked in a nonchalant tone; however, a trace of wariness appeared in her eyes.
"Mother is happy with your work and wants to reward you." Brenda gave a wide, sincere smile, which Ophelia stared at for a few seconds before nodding. "Alright."
"Good. Go and get ready." Brenda passed the dress and was about to leave when she heard Ophelia’s deep voice.
"Mom, why are n in the crowd too?"
A trace of caution appeared on Brenda’s face, but she quickly masked it and stated, "They are the husbands of those won."
"Oh..." Ophelia’s voice sounded a little lost, and it was impossible to discern whether or not she was telling the truth.
Brenda heard the sound of door being closed and pursed her lips; a thought flashed in her mind, before she shook her head.
’She won’t know. If she had... she would have left long ago!’
..........
Soon it was ti for the auction to start.
Brenda stepped forward with a proud smile, wearing her best silk shawl, one she had saved for "important occasions."
Her eyes glimred as she looked at the won and n seated before her.
"Ladies and gentlen," she began, voice sharp and confident, "thank you for coming tonight. I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors... but allow to clarify: they are not rumors. They are opportunities."
So let out a sound, sowhere between a scoff and a snort, but Brenda chose to ignore it.
She gestured grandly to the staircase.
"I, Brenda Sutton, am offering sothing precious, my son, Jay Sutton. Strong, educated, obedient, and capable. A man who knows how to serve and protect."
Whispers spread among the guests. So leaned forward eagerly; others raised an eyebrow in amusent.
"Of course," Brenda continued, her smile widening, "this is not rely a transaction. Whoever wins this bid will ensure the survival of both our families. Food and stability in exchange for companionship and loyalty."
A murmur of agreent followed.
So of them stared at Brenda in disdain, while so showed anticipation.
Soon two bodyguards brought Jay forward.
He looked pale and unsteady, his once-bright eyes dull under the harsh light. His wrists were loosely bound, though hidden by long sleeves.
A few won gasped softly. Even in his weakened state, Jay’s features were striking, the kind of beauty that made people forget the cruelty behind it.
Brenda’s smile deepened. "See for yourselves. Such a fine man, yes? I’ll start the bidding at 1000 kilograms of rice, 20 kg of at, and 30 kg of vegetables."
A woman in her forties raised her hand first. "1500 kg of rice, 20 kg of at, and 30 kg of vegetables!"
"2000 kg of rice!" another shouted imdiately.
"2100 kg of rice!" a man’s voice joined in from the back, earning curious glances.
Brenda’s heart pounded. "Excellent! 2100 kg of rice! Do I hear 3000?"
Jay’s head lowered. His lips trembled, but no words ca out.
From the edge of the room, Ophelia sat stiffly in her new dress, the "reward" her mother had given her.
It was far too revealing for her taste, and every fiber of her body scread that sothing was wrong.
The crowd’s laughter blurred in her ears.
"Three thousand kilograms of rice!" shouted a woman near the front.
Suddenly, Ophelia stood up and started to walk toward the back door. Brenda, who was keeping an eye on her daughter’s movent, paused; however, when she saw Jay, her heart relaxed.
"4000 kg of rice!" An old voice attracted everyone’s attention. The old woman was wearing a cloak, and almost no one knew how she looked.
Brenda was delighted to hear the bidding, and her gaze swept over the audience.
"Will anyone match this gentlewoman’s deal?"
A few gasps and murmurs echoed, and the bid continued
Yet in the end, it was the old woman who won the bid by offering 10,000 kg of rice, 20 kg of at, and 30 kg of vegetables.
Brenda was grinning from ear to ear and announced, "Jay officially belongs to bidder 26! Bidder 26, please co on stage and claim your reward..."
"Ahhh!" A piercing scream attracted everyone’s attention, and they saw a small cockroach roaming in the living room.
One of the bodyguards hired by Brenda to take care of any mishaps stepped forward and killed it.
"It’s been dealt with, ma’am. So as I was saying, bidder 26, please co on the stage and... Eh? Jay? Jay? Where are you?"
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