Sell your body to me instead.

**Ivery Clark POV** 

The man's brow arched, his smirk growing wider, more insidious and I felt a sudden creep. 

“How disrespectful, cousin. I paid for that girl,” The man said smoothly, his tone like silk woven with shards of glass. “So, she’s mine, isn’t she?”

*Cousin..?*

Alrigo’s expression didn’t waver, but his jaw clenched tight, the muscle ticking with barely restrained anger. 

His voice, low and dangerous, cut through the air. “ There's been a mistake. She was never up for this event, Elias.” 

Elias tilted his head, his smirk widening as though Alrigo’s words had only entertained him. “A mistake, you say? I don’t think that was a mistake. If she wasn’t supposed to be here, then why was she on that stage? Your staff isn’t that sloppy.”

Alrigo’s grip on my wrist tightened just enough to make me flinch, but his focus stayed locked on Elias. “When I say she's not part is this, means she's not part of this. Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but not everyone in this world dances to your tune,” Alrigo said coldly. “She’s not part of this, and you’ll let it go.”

Elias chuckled softly, his gaze flicking to me before returning to Alrigo. “Let it go? But I just paid for her. And you….are interrupting like a leech.” 

Alrigo turned to one of the staff lingering in the background, his tone cold enough to freeze the blood in my veins. “Get the briefcase.”

The staff didn’t hesitate, rushing to retrieve a sleek black case that was handed to Alrigo with trembling hands. Without breaking eye contact with Elias, Alrigo tossed the case toward him, letting it land on a nearby table with a loud thud.

“That should cover your inconvenience,” Alrigo said darkly. “In addition, enjoy free drinking services tonight. My apology for the mix-up.”

Elias threw his head back and laughed, “How interesting…so the rumours were actually true..? The Alrigo Valerie King has picked up a little pet from the streets, I was very curious.” 

“And from the look of her…” His eyes raked over me, making my skin crawl. “You’re… attached, aren’t you?”

My breath caught as the room seemed to close in on itself. Alrigo’s silence was terrifying, like the calm before an explosion.

However his expression didn’t waver. “I don’t know what you think you’ve heard,” Alrigo said smoothly, his voice calm yet lethal. 

“She’s just an intern. And what I do with my staff—” his hand rested possessively on my hip, fingers firm but protective, “—is none of your concern.”

Elias raised his eyebrows, smirking. “An intern? Is that what we’re calling it now? But the way you’re holding her? That tells a different story. I suppose even you have your weaknesses.”

“Watch your tongue,” Alrigo snapped, his voice like thunder. “And keep your imagination in check, Elias. This is your last free drink on my dime. Take it and leave.”

Elias laughed again, this time a little softer, almost amused. “Fine. I’ll let you keep your little intern for now, cousin.”

“But let me give you some advice—walls crack when the foundation starts to weaken. And from where I’m standing…” He smiled, wicked and amused. “Yours doesn’t seem so indestructible anymore.”

Alrigo’s grip around me stayed firm, his anger radiating like heat. “Let's go.” 

Alrigo pulled me along with him but the predatory smile of Elias widened just enough to send a chill down my spine.

"Let’s meet again, little dove," he murmured, his tone as soft as a whisper, but the way he said it felt like a warning.

Every nerve in my body screamed at me to look away, but I couldn’t as Alrigo dragged me away.

Alrigo’s grip on my arm was unrelenting, his fingers digging into my skin as he dragged me through the dimly lit hallway. My heart pounded against my ribs, fear and anger warring within me. 

“Alrigo, wait! It was a mistake.” I pleaded, my voice breaking as I stumbled to keep up with his furious strides.

I tried to wrest myself free, but it was no use. His strength was overwhelming, his presence suffocating.

The hallway seemed endless, but we finally stopped in a small, dimly lit office where Veronica and a handful of staff stood waiting. 

Their faces were pale, their faces drained of color the moment Alrigo’s cold, menacing eyes swept over them. 

“Explain,” Alrigo demanded, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. “Why was she in the VIP room? Didn't I tell you not to assign her there?”

Veronica stepped forward, trying to appear composed, but I caught the faint tremble in her hands. “Sir, I assure you, it’s all a misunderstanding. Miss Ivery approached us herself, I simply told her about the VIP event. She insisted she could handle it. We never forced her.”

“That’s a lie!” I shouted, my voice trembling as I stepped forward. “She told me it was just serving drinks! That the VIPs only wanted company and conversation!”

Veronica’s lips curled into a pitying smile, and she shook her head. “How can it be? Even a fool knows what happens in VIP rooms and what they want, are you a child? It was you who insisted and told your pitiful story that you owe a lot of money to Mr. King and wanted to get out of here.”

Alrigo’s eyes burned into mine for a moment, long enough to make my stomach twist.

“I—”

“Also Ivery, you signed the agreement yourself too. Nobody forced you.” She gestured toward a staff member who immediately brought out a tablet.

“No!” I shouted, my voice cracking as I stepped back. “I didn’t—”

The staff, his hands trembling, turned the tablet toward Alrigo. My stomach dropped as footage played on the screen, showing me sitting at a desk, nervously signing a document. The angle was perfect; the papers, the pen, my face—everything was undeniable.

*This cunning bitch!* 

“It doesn’t mean anything!” I insisted, my voice frantic. “I didn’t know what I was signing!”

Veronica turned to me, her tone taking on a cruel, pitying sweetness. “The footage speaks for itself, Miss Ivery. If you wanted to back out, you shouldn’t have signed. None of us pressured you. Isn't that right?” She turned to the other staff members, her smile tight and dangerous.

They all nodded quickly, some even stammering, “Y-Yes, she came to us herself!”

“*Stop lying!*” I screamed, turning to Alrigo with desperation. “You know me! You know I wouldn’t do this!”

Alrigo’s sharp glare turned to me again, piercing and unforgiving. My breath hitched, my knees threatening to give way under the intensity. 

His silence was louder than any outburst, and the sheer weight of his disappointment pressed down on my chest like a physical force.

“Mr. King—” 

“I have heard enough.” Alrigo growled and glared at me, “And you, you're coming with me.” 

The cold night air hit me like a slap, sharp and biting, as Alrigo dragged me out of the bar. His grip on my wrist was like steel, unyielding, and the fury radiating off him was palpable. I stumbled after him, my protests dying in my throat under the weight of his silence.

“Alrigo, wait—” I managed to choke out, but he didn’t even glance back.

He yanked open the passenger door of his sleek black car and practically shoved me inside. 

The engine roared to life, and we sped off, the city lights blurring into streaks of color as Alrigo’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. His jaw was clenched, his knuckles white, and the intensity in his eyes was terrifying.

I sat frozen, the tension in the car suffocating. My heart raced as I dared to speak. “Alrigo, I—”

“Not. A. Word.”

His voice was low and dangerous, a thinly veiled warning that made me shrink into my seat. I bit my lip, tears stinging my eyes as I stared out the window. 

In some minutes the car screeched to a halt in front of the mansion, the tires skidding slightly on the gravel driveway. 

Before I could even unbuckle my seatbelt, Alrigo was already out of the car, striding around to my side. He yanked the door open and grabbed my arm, pulling me out with a force that made me stumble.

“Alrigo, please—”

He didn’t respond, dragging me up the stone steps and through the grand doors of the mansion. The staff scattered like frightened mice at the sight of him, their wide eyes darting to me before quickly looking away.

“Alrigo…” I started, my voice trembling.

“Shut up,” he hissed, his tone so venomous it cut straight through me.

He didn’t stop until we reached his room. With a brutal shove, he threw the door open and propelled me inside. I stumbled, landing hard against the edge of the bed, but before I could regain my footing, his towering figure loomed over me like a predator cornering its prey.

“What were you trying to prove?” he demanded, his voice low but brimming with rage. “Do you think this is a game, Ivery?”

“Please, Alrigo, I didn’t know.” I cried out, shaking. “They tricked me, I swear—”

“Did they, Ivery?” he interrupted, his tone mocking, eyes narrowing dangerously. “Or did you see an opportunity? For the ‘money' you *owe*, Hmm?”

Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced myself to stand tall. “I didn’t want this, Alrigo. They told me to serve drinks, and then they sent me into that room without telling me what was happening!”

“Lies. All you ever tell is lies. You want to escape from me, hurt me. Do you want to sell your body that badly, Ivery?” he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “Is that it?”

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Then why don’t you sell it to me?” His dark gaze burned into mine, his voice mocking. “Right here, right now. Let’s see how much you’re worth.”

With that he ripped my clothes off in one go.