Emmeline Gardner was given to her adversary, William King, as a "trophy" for three years, all in the name of her brother's pursuit of true love. During this time, she had to obey every whim of William and his sister, Skyla, without question.

In the first month, after moving into the King's mansion, Skyla claimed she was afraid of the dark, so Emmeline was made to sleep on the cold floor outside her room to "guard" the door. In the second month, after William praised Emmeline's violin skills, Skyla had her stand on ice and play the instrument all day, leaving her skin stuck to the ice in the freezing winter. If she faltered, the whip would fall immediately. In the third month, for some cheap thrill, Skyla ordered the staff away and, along with her friends, shoved Emmeline from the second-floor balcony into the swimming pool over and over again, trapping her in a constant cycle of fear.

Repeatedly, Skyla tormented Emmeline under flimsy pretenses. Initially, William would comfort her and reprimand Skyla, but as time passed, his words dwindled to a single phrase: "These are the terms we agreed upon; are you backing out?" With this, Skyla grew more brazen, and Emmeline understood her role in the house—as a mere toy for the King siblings.

Her thoughts were interrupted when William returned, commanding Emmeline to prepare to accompany him to a charity gala. She recalled how, at every event, Skyla would find excuses to humiliate her, threatening to display compromising photos on the big screen if she didn't comply with their degrading demands.

Emmeline's body trembled instinctively, her hands clutching her dress, and she nervously asked, "Do I... have to go?"

William's eyes held a cold sharpness that cut deep. "Half an hour. Don’t keep me waiting."

"Alright." Her face turned ashen, understanding that William's words were orders, not requests.

Seated before the mirror, Emmeline let the makeup artists transform her into a meticulously wrapped doll, void of any value. Three years ago, when her brother introduced her to William at a party, it was not like this. Back then, William was a charismatic figure among the young women, and her heart raced at the sight of him. Learning her brother offered her as a trophy to William in his romantic pursuit, she did not resist—she was smitten.

William was generous with her, indulging her desires, except when it came to Skyla. He chose to believe Skyla without question. Despite being repeatedly wronged, healed, and hurt again, her heart grew numb, burying her feelings deep inside.

"Don't move." Her memories were abruptly pulled back as William clasped a diamond necklace around her neck, looking down at her. "It suits you."

At the gala, the spotlight settled on them as William's hand rested on Emmeline's waist. He whispered, "If anything catches your eye today, let my assistant know."

Just then, a lively voice interrupted them. "Will!" Skyla rushed up to grab William's arm, ignoring Emmeline completely. "When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me?"

William’s demeanor softened as he gently ruffled her hair. "I just landed and came straight to the gala to surprise you. Let me know if you see anything you like."

"Thanks, Will, you're the best." Emmeline found herself pushed to the edge of the carpet, a scenario she had faced countless times over the past three years.

Feeling awkward, she considered turning away when she heard someone call her, "Emma." It was her brother, Nehemiah Hart.

Skyla turned back leisurely, her gaze condescending as she looked at Emmeline. "Brother, at such an important gala, why bring a bird that can't even stand on the stage?"

Emmeline bowed her head in embarrassment, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress until they were white. Skyla, in front of everyone, always found the most humiliating ways to obliterate her remaining shred of dignity.

"Skyla, you look stunning today," Nehemiah approached, ignoring Emmeline entirely.

"Nehemiah, you're here too. Emmeline looks good today as well," Skyla coyly hid behind William.

"Not really; you're the true princess tonight." William glanced at Nehemiah, then at Emmeline, whose face was ghostly pale, before grinning and pinching Skyla's cheek. "Grown up yet still such a child."

Everyone acted as if Emmeline were invisible and turned to walk away with Skyla.

Nehemiah softly said to Skyla, "Anything you want tonight is on me."

Skyla's eyes gleamed as she turned to Emmeline with a sinister smile. "Brother, how about we spice things up? This gala is getting boring—let's auction her off and buy her ourselves, shall we?"

Emmeline's head snapped up, disbelief etched on her face, trying to voice her refusal.

Skyla preemptively whined, "Brother Nehemiah, pleeease?"

"Sure," Nehemiah hesitated before looking at Emmeline. "She's just an auction item. Emma, you don’t mind, do you? Consider it doing me a favor; we'll buy you back anyway."

"Brother!" Emmeline looked at him in shock, her voice trembling. "How could you... I'm your sister..."

Nehemiah frowned, "Emma, Skyla’s just a bit bored. I won’t let anything happen to you. This is settled."

Desperate, Emmeline looked to William for help.

"It's what your brother agreed to," William said flatly. "Emmeline, pleading with me won't change anything."

Her complexion turned ghostly white, her legs nearly giving out beneath her. She should have understood that, over three years, Skyla's whims took precedence above all else.

Attendants soon flanked her, holding her arms firmly. "No, don't touch me!" Struggling, Emmeline pulled away, tearing the strap of her gown and revealing her fair skin.

"William, you can't do this! Nehemiah!" Her voice rose in a desperate cry, rewarded only with William’s even colder stare.

Nehemiah turned away to peel apples for Skyla, ignoring Emmeline's anguished cries.

The gala lights swept over her. Seeing her resistance, the staff began stripping away her clothes, one by one, under the scrutinizing eyes of the audience.

With only a month remaining, why couldn't they allow her even that reprieve?

Emmeline’s cheeks burned with shame as she gazed at the crowd, some faces twisted in sympathy, others in scorn. She choked back the bitterness in her heart, forcing a bitter smile.

Three years had long eroded her spirit. Like a puppet with no soul, she was at the mercy of the auctioneer.

The auctioneer began the bidding, and the offers rose from the floor.

"Eight hundred thousand!"

"Nine hundred and fifty thousand!"

...

"Two million!"

"Two million, once; two million, twice; two million, sold!"

"Congratulations to Ms. Skyla on her winning bid!"

Emmeline lowered her lashes as tears fell unchecked. Thankfully, there was only a month until the agreement ended.

She had arranged everything with a private security service, ready to depart overseas as soon as the documents were finalized. In one month, as soon as the papers were ready, she would leave this all behind.

Emmeline was ushered into the private room as if she were just another package.

"Ha!" Skyla jibed, scrutinizing Emmeline. "Brother, so she truly is worth two million dollars."

"Skyla, behave and stop fooling around," William advised, pulling Emmeline in close, his thumb gently brushing across her reddened eyelids. "Emmeline, Skyla's just being playful, don't take it to heart."

"You were sent to the King family by your brother, so you must follow what the Kings say. Skyla's done nothing wrong herself, okay?"

Emmeline closed her tired eyes, then opened them and replied softly, "Understood."

The car ride back home was quiet. Nehemiah had taken Skyla ahead, leaving Emmeline to gaze blankly out the window as the landscape slipped past.

Suddenly, William broke the silence. "We're heading to the island in a month; the tickets are booked. Didn't you always want to go there?"

She was surprised; he rarely catered to her wishes, yet he was making an exception to take her on a trip.

"I know. You and your darling sister can go; I'm not interested anymore."

A trip to an island? She no longer desired it.

William looked at her icily, "Emmeline, what's your game now?"

"I'm not causing any trouble..."

"Enough," William cut her off, annoyed. "No need to take it out on Skyla. The tickets are set, and I'll be with you."

Silence descended again in the car.

Lost in thought, she remembered the early days of being sent to William's side, when he noted her distaste for parsley and redecorated her bedroom to suit her preferences, leading her to foolishly believe it was love. She thought he kept her around because he cared, albeit misguidedly.

Until that day outside the study when she overheard him chuckling on the phone, "She's simply a toy sent by the Gardner family. Keep her if she's compliant; discipline her if she makes trouble."

In that instant, the illusion shattered completely.

She and her brother were just disposable assets to the King siblings—called upon when needed and tossed aside when not. The so-called "love" was merely leverage to ensure their obedience.

The car rolled into the estate's driveway, and a chilling dread immediately gripped Emmeline.

Her heart tightened, but before she could react, a porcelain vase careened toward her.

Crash!

A sharp pain seared through her temple.

Warm blood trickled down her face, staining her Victorian-style dress with vivid red patches.

William frowned at her injury but focused on Skyla, who had rushed over, his voice tinged with indulgence and resignation. "Who's upset you now? What's wrong?"

Skyla stamped her foot and pointed at Emmeline.

"I just can't stand her! Isn't that allowed?"

"Alright," William indulged her, his eyes sliding over Emmeline standing frozen at the door, his brow furrowing more deeply. "Come inside; don't stand there causing a scene. Skyla's just having fun; don't take it personally."

Blood blurred her vision, and the daylight humiliation left her utterly drained.

Emmeline wanted nothing more than to retreat to her room and rest.

But soon after she lay down, her bedroom door burst open violently!

The servants rounded up by Skyla grabbed her arms.

"Drag her to the bathroom and clean her up! Always looking frail makes it seem like we're neglecting her," Skyla's words were sharp as daggers.

Cold, dirty water poured over her, the pain from her wound burning intensely.

Pinned to the ground, Emmeline's fingertips dug into her palms as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

The maid, fed up with her, kicked her in the side and dragged her by the hair to the living room.

Emmeline was drenched, covered in grime.

She looked at William lounging on the couch, disbelief written on her face.

William glanced dispassionately at Emmeline, then asked Skyla gently, "Feeling better now? Don’t cause trouble outside again."

Skyla snorted in frustration. "Get her out of here, lock her up so I don't have to see her!"

The bodyguard seized Emmeline to drag her away as darkness closed in around her vision.

In her daze, she heard William's voice, light and airy, "Just make sure she doesn't die."