All Chapters of Sold to a cruel man : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

There was something unreal about that night. Something suspended. A party too dazzling, too lavish, too decadent to be genuine.It was a charity gala at a luxury hotel, an evening where the wealthy flaunted their generosity like jewels. Léna didn't belong there. And yet, there she was, a last-minute waitress, her hair hastily styled, dressed in a black uniform that clashed with the shimmering gowns and high heels.She was 20 years old. Léna Delcourt, blonde with blue eyes, was an unassuming girl, a quiet beauty with pale cheeks and precise movements, possessing that rare blend of gentleness and fire that drew people in without her seeking it.That evening, she served glasses of champagne with discipline, her eyes lowered, trying to avoid overly bold hands. And that's when she saw him for the first time.He didn't need to speak. He hadn't even moved yet. But everything about his presence screamed control, power, danger.Ilyès Blackwood. 27 years old. Black suit. Impeccable shirt. Dark

Lena felt a flush creeping up her cheeks.But she kept her eyes downcast."I thought it wasn't an unreasonable request...""Everything is excessive coming from you."He stood up abruptly. He circled his desk.She recoiled slightly, instinctively."You want a phone? What for? To cry in the ear of your father who sold you? To call a friend and play the victim? You want us to come and rescue you, Lena?""No. That's not it," she murmured."You think I'm going to give you a weapon, just like that? A tool to run away? To manipulate? To lie?""I don't want to run away, Ilyès."But he wasn't listening anymore. He slammed a file violently on the table."Get out."She froze. “I told you to get out!” The word smacked like a slap.She jumped slightly. Her heart raced. But she didn’t cry. She didn’t protest.She simply nodded, like a punished schoolgirl, and turned away without a word.He didn’t follow her. He didn’t call her back.She closed the door gently behind her.The hallway was longer than