Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Author’s POV
The luxurious yacht glided across the dark waters, its golden lights gleaming against the night sky.
Below deck, in a small preparation room, a woman lay unconscious on a bed as a makeup artist worked meticulously on her face.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
The door to the makeup room shuddered under heavy knocks before swinging open. A burly man with a gruff voice barked impatiently, “How much longer? Are you finished yet?”
The makeup artist bristled with irritation. “What’s the rush? We still have a half hour before the final auction event.”
The man’s throat produced a contemptuous grunt. “Just slap something on her face and be done with it. You’re not creating a masterpiece. Women and their endless fussing.”
“Get out!” the makeup artist snapped. “What would a brute like you know about aesthetics or presentation?”
“Everyone on this yacht tonight has power and influence, with tastes far more refined than yours. You think any pretty female will do?”
“Whatever,” the man muttered. Having been insulted, his anger flared, but he couldn’t be bothered arguing
with the female artist.
Instead, he kicked the door violently before storming off.
The makeup artist jumped at the sudden noise, her hand jerking and smearing lipstick across her client’s face.
Fury rose within her. “What an absolute psychopath!”
Looking down at her work, she groaned in dismay. The careful hour of application–ruined in an instant.
Time was running short. What could she do?
Her gaze drifted to the wall–mounted television playing a Korean drama called “The Legend of the Blue Sea.”
On screen, Jun Ji–hyun portrayed a mermaid, swimming gracefully through azure depths.
The artist’s eyes widened as inspiration struck. The sound of actual waves echoed from outside–they were at
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sea, after all! How had she not thought of this connection before?
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The woman on her table already possessed a perfect canvas of a face. The previous makeup look had been
beautiful, yes, but it lacked that special something. But now…
With newfound inspiration, the makeup artist began working rapidly, transforming her concept!
Sarah drifted in and out of consciousness, vaguely aware of someone fussing over her face and body. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt impossibly heavy. Her body remained limp and unresponsive, like cotton candy dissolving in water.
Ever since they had forced that drug into her system, she had been trapped in this state–aware enough to know what was happening but powerless to resist.
The auction hall aboard the yacht sparkled with opulence. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the wealthy attendees, all wearing exquisite masks that concealed their identities but not their predatory nature.
Suddenly, with a soft click, the lights extinguished. The auction hall plunged into complete darkness.
Not one of the attendees showed any sign of alarm. They remained perfectly composed, as if such dramatic
flourishes were common in their exclusive world.
The auction hall fell silent. Only the gentle lapping of waves against the hull could be heard as everyone held
their breath, anticipating the main event they had all come to witness.
After a brief pause, the sweet melody of a violin filled the darkness, its notes floating through the space with
haunting beauty.
Simultaneously, a single spotlight ignited, illuminating the auction stage.
In the circle of bright light stood the auctioneer–a tall figure in an immaculate tailcoat and top hat, the very
picture of British aristocracy. His voice resonated with magnetic power as he addressed the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!”
“I apologize for keeping you waiting. Now, it is my pleasure to present our final auction item tonight–‘Legend of the Sea.‘ Please direct your attention here…”
As the auctioneer’s words faded, a second spotlight illuminated the center of the stage where a massive golden cage hung suspended in mid–air.
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The cage was draped with diaphanous white fabric that floated eerily in the artificial breeze, creating an otherworldly effect.
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The flowing silk brushed against the auctioneer’s face. He caught a corner between his fingers and inhaled
deeply, his expression transforming to one of ecstasy. “Oh! How exquisite!”
Looking up at the veiled cage, he continued, “Such mystery! What treasure awaits beneath this veil?”
“Now, to business,” the auctioneer proclaimed.
“This particular item would serve admirably as a prized possession for viewing pleasure, personal
entertainment, or even–for those who maintain the old ways–ritual ceremonies. The possibilities are
endless.”
“The starting bid is two million. When we reach twenty million, I shall remove the first veil. At fifty million, I
will reveal the full glory of our offering.”
“As always, each press of your button increases the bid by two million. Now, ladies and gentlemen–let the bidding commence!”
In their plush VIP seats, the masked attendees‘ eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation.
Though many had participated in similar events before, this presentation style was novel even to them,
heightening their interest and competitive spirit.
After all, they reasoned, they were merely bidding on another body to be used for pleasure. But with a starting
price of two million and incremental jumps of the same amount, this particular merchandise must be truly
exceptional.
Buttons clicked repeatedly as bids registered on the large digital display. The numbers climbed rapidly, reaching twenty million in mere moments.
