"So you made me come back… just to sell me?" she yelled, her voice trembling with rage.
"I'm so foolish for returning after they warned me not to! I should have known better! I told you before—you're a crazy man, and I'm not going anywhere with you! He's the one who owes you money, not me!"
Lucian's lips curved into a cold smile. "Let's watch and see."
She turned toward her father, who stood there shivering… or was he smirking? He bowed his head and whispered, "I'm sorry, child."
Before she could react, two guards seized her by the arms.
"Let me go!" she cried, struggling against their iron grip. "Don't worry, Father! I'll make sure I destroy you—and your stupid company that you're trying so hard to save!"
"Will you shut her up," Lucian ordered lazily.
One of the guards slapped her hard across the face.
"Ah!" she gasped, her cheek stinging. "You'll pay for slapping me—"
Lucian stepped forward and struck her himself, the sound sharp in the air.
"Take her to the car," he commanded.
---
Six Months Earlier — Lucian's POV
The black car rolled to a stop in front of Lucian's mansion.
A man stepped out—Raymond—and walked toward the gate.
"Where is he?" Raymond demanded from the guards.
"Do you have an appointment with the boss? If not, please leave immediately," one guard replied.
"I want to see your boss right now!" Raymond snapped.
They were still arguing when the sound of footsteps silenced them. The guards immediately knelt as Lucian appeared.
"What's the problem here?" Lucian asked coolly.
"He says he wants to see you," the guard replied.
Lucian's gaze flicked to Raymond. "Let him in."
Raymond entered the mansion, momentarily awestruck by its luxury before shaking himself back to reality.
"I'll go straight to the point," Raymond said. "My business is about to collapse. I'm here to borrow 100 million dollars."
Lucian leaned back in his chair. "If I give you what you're asking for, what will you offer in return? You'll have six months to pay it back."
"If I don't pay in time," Raymond said quietly, "I'll give you my daughter… to be one of your slaves."
Lucian's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Fine. But don't you dare forget what you've promised. And don't you dare try to run away—because wherever you go, I will find you… and your daughter."
---
Present Day
She looked at her father in disbelief.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.