For ten years, Julian Reed refused to consummate our marriage. If I so much as brushed against one of his belongings, he would have it burned and discarded—then brand the word "filth" onto my skin. A decade of marriage left me covered in shameful tattoos, hidden beneath my clothes. For a decade, my body was a canvas of unsightly tattoos, hidden beneath my clothes. That day, carrying a tray, I accidentally brushed his foot. I immediately fell to my knees, terrified, but he did not punish me. I thought his heart had finally warmed to me, but the very next day, he used me as collateral, offering me up in a vile public auction to acquire an item for his beloved, Seraphina Hayes. The men who coveted me began to openly calculate how many rare antiques they would bid for a single night with me. "She's truly never been taken? Mr. Reed, you'd actually let go?" Julian sneered, "Only the untouched are sent to you. She hasn't been near a man in nearly thirty years, so she's certainly famished for it. On the bed, she'll bend to your every whim..." The men frantically raised their bidding paddles, clamoring to see my compromising images. Julian gazed tenderly at Seraphina, cradled in his arms. "Sera, my darling, whatever you desire tonight, I will acquire for you." "No matter the cost, Eleanor can pay for anything." Watching my photos scroll across the massive screen, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I huddled at the edge of the crowd, engulfed by an icy chill. My blood felt as though it had been flash-frozen, then violently surged back through my veins, leaving my limbs numb and unresponsive. The most exclusive auction house in the coastal city typically announced its lots a week in advance, but for a powerful family like the Reeds, a last-minute addition was effortlessly arranged— And I was that "item," forcibly inserted into the lineup. All because Seraphina had set her eyes on a priceless Ming Dynasty porcelain plate, deeming it suitable for a paint palette. The men's lewd whispers continued: "Mr. Reed, using Eleanor as collateral, would she really agree?" Julian scoffed, "She's nothing but a financial drain her parents sold to the Reed family. What right does she have to refuse?" "Besides, given her absolute devotion to me, if I told her to come naked and serve you right now, she'd kneel and thank me for the privilege." "Mr. Reed is truly formidable. Even the most aloof beauty can be trained into a wanton courtesan." Julian's expression grew even more disgusted. "It just proves she's inherently impure to her very core." Inherently impure? If my grandfather hadn't rescued his grandfather from a pile of dead bodies all those years ago, there would be no Reed family today. At last, I gave up on him completely. For ten years of our marriage, I lived alone in a separate wing of the mansion. Only when his parents came to inspect would he have my belongings moved to the balcony of his master bedroom. At night, fearing I might enter the room, he would lock the balcony door. Once, during a heavy rainstorm, I froze into unconsciousness on the balcony. When he found out, he merely had all the furniture in the house replaced, as if my very presence was a contagion. I used to believe I was the one who was "dirty," which was why I was despised— At fifteen, my parents died in a car crash, our family fortune seized by uncles. I drifted through the streets, taking on any grueling job. At my hungriest, I even fought stray dogs for scraps of bread. Five years later, the Reed family found me. The day I was brought back, I thought my life had finally taken a turn for the better. So, when Grandfather Reed, on his deathbed, asked me to marry Julian, I agreed. He, unwilling to disappoint the dying man, reluctantly consented. I saw his hesitation and proactively offered him time to adjust, even signing a ten-year agreement— If, after ten years, he still didn't love me, I would leave voluntarily. Because I truly loved him, and I remembered the flicker of kindness he had once shown me. 2 Years ago, when I was fighting stray dogs for a piece of bread, torn and bleeding, he tossed me an expired biscuit. That memory was a solitary beacon in my desolate life. So, after our marriage, no matter how much he loathed and humiliated me, I endured it silently. I would wash myself countless times a day, and disinfect everything before and after preparing food. Only now did I understand: it wasn't a phobia of germs. He simply found me disgusting. It was late night by the time I walked home from the auction. Gazing at the brightly lit mansion, I dialed his number. "Three days from now, we divorce." Upon entering, I found Julian still awake, the living room filled with many of his friends—the very same men from the auction. An alarm blared in my mind. I quickly offered a hurried greeting and retreated to a small room on the ground floor. Before I could close the door, Julian followed. He stood in the doorway, his eyes softer than usual. "You'll sleep in the master bedroom tonight." I assumed his parents were visiting and turned to gather my things, but he seized my wrist. "Go up now. Wash yourself and wait for me." My body stiffened. My gaze fell upon the fresh hickeys Seraphina had bitten into his neck, then swept across the men outside, eager for a show. My heart sank to the bottom. I tried to close the door, but he kicked it open. The rebounding doorknob slammed violently into my hip, the searing pain making cold sweat prickle my skin. His pupils constricted slightly, but he still commanded in a low voice, "Be obedient. Go upstairs." Knowing we would be divorced in a week, I didn't want to cause a scene now. I swallowed my discomfort and turned. After two steps, I heard him chuckle softly behind me: "Ellie, don't be nervous later. After all, it's something you've waited ten years for. You should be happy." I could only obey and go upstairs to the master bedroom to bathe. Picking up the clothes he'd left by the door, I froze. The fabric was thin as a dragonfly's wing, barely reaching my thighs, utterly revealing. "Julian, the clothes—" Before I could finish, he had already shut the bedroom door. He sat on the sofa, commanding me to put the clothes on. "Haven't you always wanted to please me? I'm giving you the chance. Make the most of it." I bit my lip, my movements stiff as I pulled on the flimsy garment. My body trembled ceaselessly. Julian lifted his chin, signaling me to lie on the bed. I lay down numbly, feeling the overhead light flicker. "Nice figure." "Look at the tattoos on her body, quite provocative. If her skin were flushed, wouldn't it look even better?" Julian slowly rose, walked directly into the bathroom, and filled a basin with scalding hot water, which he then poured over me. My already sensitive skin instantly flared crimson. A smirk played on his lips. "Red. It certainly suits you." Downstairs, the men were losing their minds. They watched the projected feed on the television, drooling. "No one argue with me, I'm having this woman. Mr. Reed, care to facilitate?" "Don't be ridiculous. What are your paltry millions going to do? I heard the Thorne family will also be at this auction. Can you compete with Alistair Thorne?" "He doesn't even care for women. He's like an ice block all day, you could shave his head and he'd just join a monastery." … I lay there for a long time, and Julian made no further moves. I managed to lift my head slightly, only to realize he had left at some point. I quickly found some clothes to put on, preparing to call the maid to change the sheets. I had just opened the door when I heard movement in the stairwell. It was Julian and Seraphina. "Arthur, gentle—" "Sera, darling, watching Eleanor's disgusting figure earlier, my mind was only filled with you. Do you know how much I missed you?" "But my hand just touched her. Can you please disinfect it properly for me?" 3 The sickeningly sweet sounds of their intimacy washed over me in waves, drowning me. My heart a desolate wasteland, I silently skirted around them, descending the stairs from the other side. This was the servants' staircase, without surveillance cameras. So no one saw me come down. Looking at the large screen in the living room, and the men with their faces flushed with disturbing arousal. I nearly stumbled. "Did you save the video from earlier? If I sell it on the black market, I could definitely make some pocket money." "I just casually sent it to my big brother. He's willing to pay twenty million." Behind me, hurried footsteps sounded. Julian's face darkened as he blocked my path. "Who told you to come down? When did you come down?" The people in the living room all turned their heads, eager to rip my clothes off immediately. I quickly retreated, wanting to go back to my room, but Seraphina blocked my path again. Her clothes were still disheveled, the marks on her neck a vivid red. "Ms. Vance, our family is hosting a charity auction the day after tomorrow. Please, come with us." I instantly recalled their earlier words, my face etched with terror. "I won't go! I won't!" Julian looked at me with utter disdain. "What kind of behavior is this, screaming like that? Truly an uncultured country bumpkin!" "This event is for the most prominent families. You are my wife; you must go. Besides—" He swept his gaze over me from head to toe. "This auction's main event is something you've never seen before. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It would be a great pity to miss it." "I don't want to—" He suddenly forced himself to lean close to me, his voice barely a whisper, laced with disgust, yet loud enough for me alone. "If you don't go, tomorrow your grandfather's ashes will be fed to the dogs." My eyes widened abruptly, staring at him in disbelief. My grandfather was a towering hero his entire life. How dare he insult my grandfather like that! But realizing the immense power the Reed family now wielded, I could only agree. Time slipped away. On the night of the charity auction, Julian had a stylist specially prepare me. The transparent white gown revealed the tattoos on my arms and legs. With every step, I could feel the invasive stares of those around me. Seraphina, arm linked with Julian's, walked ahead, while I followed behind like their attendant. Utterly out of place. As we neared our seats, Seraphina suddenly seemed to remember me. She pulled me to the very front. "Ms. Vance, your status truly suits this seat best. It also makes it easier for everyone to see you." With nothing to block the view in front, my dress barely covered my thighs. I wanted to hide, but Julian's gaze was full of menace. A burst of laughter suddenly erupted from behind me. "Is that the thirty-year-old virgin?" "Even though she's older, being untouched at thirty is truly rare, quite unique." I clenched my hands, digging my nails into my palms. "Shut up!" Julian's reaction was quicker than anyone else's. He sharply raised his hand to strike me. But at the moment of impact, he disgustedly lowered it. "My friends are complimenting you. Don't be ungrateful, Eleanor. Don't forget what you promised me." Seraphina gently clutched his sleeve. "Arthur, don't be angry." "Perhaps my arrangement wasn't good, making Ms. Vance upset. I'll apologize to her." She rose, appearing wronged, about to bow to me. "I'm so—" Julian pulled her into an embrace. "Why on earth would you apologize to a mere object? She's not worthy." He looked at me with cold eyes. "Don't cross my line." I lowered my head, not uttering another word. The auction soon began. No matter what Seraphina desired, Julian bought it without a second thought. 4 Soon, it was time for the priceless Ming Dynasty porcelain plate that Seraphina had so desperately wanted. The bidding started at a hundred million. Julian's eyes were fixed on his phone, where a live stream was playing. I only glanced at it, and my blood ran cold. The live camera seemed to be directly in front of me, capturing my— And the chat stream was filled with different people placing bids. [I bid thirty million.] [Thirty-five million.] [Fifty million!] I abruptly stood up. But then I saw Julian's smirk. He looked at Seraphina. "Sera, my darling, I'm going to put her up for public degradation for you." The Reed family's recent financial momentum wasn't particularly strong. He had already spent nearly a billion just now. Where would he get the money for that? I suddenly recalled the live stream footage from earlier, and cold sweat broke out. So, he truly intended to use me as collateral for a grotesque public spectacle. "Julian, don't you dare go too far!" "I am a person, a living, breathing human being, not an object you can casually buy and sell!" At my outburst, Julian's eyes narrowed. "Eleanor, am I giving you too much leeway?" "You dare defy me in front of my friends and business partners? Truly, a child with no parents has no upbringing." I glared fiercely at him. "Julian, my parents died serving our country. You have no right to judge them!" "Without my family, your Reed family would have long ago perished in—" SLAP! He struck me hard across the face. The next second, he brutally grabbed my hair and yanked me backward. "Tonight, you can't escape!" He ordered his bodyguards to bind me. Red ropes coiled around my body, one by one. An iron chain was fastened around my neck. The other end was tied to a pillar at the side of the display stage. Seraphina leaned into Julian's shoulder, peering at his phone. "The bidding's already at eighty million? But it's still quite a ways from the hundred million starting bid." Julian's face was etched with distress. "Cut her clothes open. Let everyone inspect the goods first." I frantically shook my head, pleading with him. "Julian, I know I was wrong. I'll stay far away from you from now on. Please, don't do this to me, okay?" "I beg you—" He had already shamed me in front of everyone for ten years. I couldn't bear to have my dignity trampled again. But he wouldn't listen to me, letting the bodyguards rip my clothes to shreds. My self-respect was utterly crushed along with my garments. "Julian, I hate you—" My whispered plea was drowned out by the gasps of the crowd. "Wow!" "The brand on her stomach is actually in the shape of a rose! Sera, you really have a mind for these things." "I only mentioned it to the designer, I never thought they'd actually be able to make it. It's the first time I've seen such a striking rose." "Mr. Reed! Look at your own auction platform, it's already at 150 million!" Julian still wasn't finished. "Not enough. There are still two more antiques not yet displayed. Not enough money." My last piece of clothing was ripped away by the bodyguards. I had no strength left to struggle, despair engulfing all my senses. I don't even remember how I was taken backstage. I only recall the dim light, someone carefully dressing me, and then being gently carried into a car. All I saw was a pair of fathomless, dark eyes, and then oblivion. As the car sped away from the auction house, the scene there had erupted into chaos. Seraphina's coveted Ming Dynasty porcelain plate had now reached five hundred million. The bidder competing with her finally stopped. "Congratulations, Mr. Reed, on acquiring our Ming Dynasty porcelain!" Julian smiled, rising, and gently turned to look at Seraphina by his side. The next second, Julian froze in his tracks.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "392651", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel