[6 hours before the auction: Inside the penthouse in a five-star hotel]
Zoey stared at the red dress on the bed. A fresh wound on the corner of her lips, and a bruise on her cheekbone. She bit her inner lip, scoffing through her mouth as she moved her eyes to the man sitting on the chair in the corner.
"And why do I have to wear this dress and mask?" Zoey inquired, arching her brow.
Ever since that incident, her relationship with Nikolai, that had started with restraint and peace, had grown violent. Nikolai had found it easy to raise a hand on her.
Sometimes, Zoey fought back and even though the fight would start as fair, she'd yield in the end. Why? Because he still had her on the leash by bringing up the people she cared for.
"I told you about the auction." Nikolai shrugged nonchalantly. "It's the theme for the auction tonight."
