Chapter 35
Serena looked at Gabriel, confused. “No, we’re just friends.”
Hearing this, he finally loosened his grip on her. The elevator door opened just then, and she stepped out first, with Gabriel following at a leisurely pace.
Inside the restaurant, Andrew had been waiting anxiously. Last night, Serena had asked him to meet her here today, bur after that the phone call cut off, and he hadn’t been able to reach her again. He’d shown up early, just to wait.
When he saw Serena, he jumped up from his seat “Serena!”
He walked toward her, both surprised and happy, and reached out to hug her. But before he could get close, she was yanked into Gabriel’s embrace from behind, a possessive move that left no room for doubt.
“Mr. Harrington?” Andrew noticed him only then.
Gabriel, casually draping his arm around Serena, replied with a cool tone, “Mr. White”
“What’s this about? Andrew frowned as he looked at the way Gabriel was holding Serena.
“Andrew, I was sold to the auction… It was Gabriel who saved me Serena interrupted, trying to explain
When she went missing. Andrew had considered the possibility that she might have been sold to THE auction. But he had no access to that world.
The auction was notorious for its high entry barriers, and it was controlled by people in the underworld–only those with significant status or money could get in.
Duke’s Gathering, as it was known to those in the business, was a name spoken only by those in the Faliden underground- he’d heard his father mention it before–it was founded by the Coffey family, a powerful crime family in Faliden, and was now under the control of Mark Coffey.
Serena was now with Gabriel, and Andrew could put two and two together–Gabriel must have been the one who bought her at Duke’s Gathering.
“Thank you for stepping in to help. I can pay you back for everything you have spent,” he said.
Gabriel’s face darkened, his
is voice as cold as ice. “You can pay me back? What are you to her?”
Andrew clenched his fists. “Serena is my friend.
Gabriel didn’t reply but only let out a mocking laugh. Does he really think she’s just a friend? Or does he have other thoughts? Only he himself knows. After all, who wears couple rings with a friend?”
“Andrew, it’s fine. I can repay the money myself, Serena cut in. Amillion dollars wasn’t pocket change, and with her current situation with Gabriel, she didn’t want to drag Andrew into this mess.
“You think you can pay it back? Serena, come here,” Andrew’s voice softened. He knew Serena better than anyone. Whether it was a debt or a favor, she would always repay it in spades.
He stepped forward, trying to pull Serena toward him, but Gabriel blocked him. “She’s mine now.”
“Yours?” Andrew’s voice grew agitated, sharply contrasting with the icy indifference of Gabriel “Mr. Harrington, yes, you bought Serena But I didn’t expect you’d really treat her like a thing!”
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“What else would she be? You may not have been to Duke’s Gathering, but you should understand how it works. Once someone’s boughs, they’re fair game for the buyer.”
“In other words, she’s my property. Unless I say so, no one gets to take her, Gabriel said, his voice indifferent.
At Duke’s Gathering, everyone sold there had undergone a genetic test. If the buyer’s property ran away, they’d hunt them down–or worse, make them disappear for good.
The rule was clear: once someone was bought, they belonged to se buyer, unless the buyer chose to set them free.
Before Andrew could respond, Gabriel tossed Serena’s ring at him. “Keep it. She doesn’t need it.”
Serena stood quietly, not saying a word. But inside, she was thinking. So once one’s sold at Duke’s Gathering, one is just a thing to be owned for life.
“How much did you pay for Serena?” Andrew pressed. “I can pay double.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed with impatience. Just then, Darren came over and whispered something to him.
“Gabriel can I talk to Andrew alone for a minute?” Serena seized the moment.
“Ray is outside the restaurant, waiting” Gabriel leaned in close to her, his voice low and threatening. “If you him, he will make sure you don’t get far.”
She stiffened. I won’t leave.”
Only then did he release her and walk away from the restaurant.
try to leave with
“Serena, he didn’t hurt you, did he?” Andrew’s eyes swept over her, his gaze narrowing when he noticed the bite mark on her neck. “You two……”
Serena knew she couldn’t hide it from him. “I’m fine. I agreed to be his lover.” Even though it was the truth, it still stung to say it out loud, especially after hearing Gabriel refer to her as nothing more than a thing.
“No, I can’t let this go. I’ll go to him. Whatever he wants, I’ll pay!”
“Andrew.” She grabbed his arm. “I have already caused you enough trouble. At least for now, the money and favors I owe Gabriel, I can handle it myself”
Gabriel wanted her to be his lover, so she would just be that–hissecret lover. He was the type of man who’d eventually get bored with anyone, no matter how beautiful or talented they were. Eventually, he’d move on–maybe in a month, maybe a year, but no longer than that.
She wasn’t losing out here, though. Thanks to him, Jonathan was safe and would be coming back to the country.
Andrew could tell she’d made up her mind. Nothing he said would change her. He could only offer one last piece of advice. “Gabriel is only interested in how you look. He won’t treat you seriously.”
Serena smiled bitterly. “I know. But if I had to do it all over again, I’d make the same choler
“Treat me seriously? What’s the point of that when one’s just a possession she thought. As long as the owner calls, I’ll come When he’s done. I’ll leave. No feelings involved. I was afraid I couldn’t do it before, but now, I have no choice.
…Serena. Andrew’s voice softened, regret written all over his face. But he knew better than to challenge the authority of Duke’s Gathering. If he took her with him, and Gabriel really decided to let the auction handle it, both of them would be an big trouble
Jonathan… I’ll make sure he’s well taken care of. And the 300,000 dollars, I’ll have it transferred to the hospital’s account as soon as I get back,” he added.
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Serena smiled at him, her eyes warm. “Gabriel promised me he’d bring Jonathan back home. You don’t need to worry about
me anymore.”
He gave a soft hum in response, but the sadness in his eyes was impossible to miss.
“Do you not need me anymore?”
“Andrew, you’ll always be my friend.”
Andrew looked at her, a bitter sadness creeping into his heart.
Ill wait for that day–He reached for her hand. “I hope that day will come when, in your heart, I’m not just a friend.”
“Andrew… I’m sorry.” Serena understood the unspoken meaning behind his words. She pulled her hand hack gently.
He lowered his gaze for a moment, then smiled gently, the warmth returning to his expression. “If you ever need anything. you know where to find me. Remember my words, Serena–Ell always wait.”
Gabriel had been invited to a dinner by the shareholder of Hertz Casino, so he had gone ahead. He’d instructed Ray to bring Serena along with him.
As they got out of the car, Ray led her toward the casino, which could only be described as luxurious and opulent
She had only rushed through a corner of the place before, but now, walking through the heart of it, watching the richand powerful throwing money around like confetti, she truly understood what the phrase “living in luxury” meant.
They took the glass elevator up to the top floor, which featured a rooftop garden. A party was in full swing beneath the glass dome that kept out the cold air. In the center was a massive pool, surrounded by men and women in swimsuits
As they walked further into the crowd, Serena noticed a middle–aged woman lounging by the pool, surrounded by a group of muscular young men. She quickly looked away.
Her gaze moved forward as she weaved through the crowd. Then she saw Gabriel–he stood out even among these meticulously chosen handsome men. His presence was like a magnet; one just couldn’t look away.
Next to him stood a tall woman, her curves on full display as she deliberately brushed her breasts against his arm.
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