Chapter 3

Nora was hammered, and Diana, who was just a bit less tipsy, had to take her home. To her surprise, Nora's husband was actually there, so Diana didn't stick around.

As she stepped out of the gated community and looked at the empty streets, she felt a surge of annoyance. Nora's place was in a suburban area, where cars were rare, and she had forgotten to ask the driver to wait.

"Diana?"

Just as she was about to call for a ride, someone called her name. Diana turned around, her eyes widening in shock.

What kind of luck was this? Why was Owen here?

Owen looked her up and down. She was wearing a striking red dress. He had heard from Finn that she was still a virgin.

Diana frowned deeply.

"You're here to apologize, right? If you take good care of me tonight, I'll transfer thirty million dollars to the Garcia Group's account."

Diana sneered, slapping away Owen's outstretched hand.

So Finn had sold her for thirty million dollars. She must be quite valuable.

Gritting her teeth, Diana said, "Whoever wants that money can serve you. I'm not interested."

She turned to leave, but Owen's eyes turned icy. "Get her."

Diana noticed the bodyguards behind her and instinctively tried to run to the security booth. Owen shouted, "If you interfere, you'll lose your job."

The security guards immediately withdrew their hands, clearly not wanting to provoke Owen.

Diana cursed under her breath. The area was deserted, and even if she screamed, no one would come.

She clutched her bag tightly. She remembered that Nora had put a bottle of pepper spray in it a few days ago. She hoped it would be useful.

"Don't you dare," she warned.

Owen rubbed his hands together, laughing. "You owe me this, Diana."

"Diana, I suggest you behave. I don't like being rough with women."

Diana spat at him. "You shameless creep."

Owen and the bodyguards closed in on her. In a flash, Diana pulled out the pepper spray and aimed it at Owen. His screams filled the air as she bolted.

She ran as fast as she could, not daring to stop for fear of being caught.

"Damn it, it's pepper spray! Catch her! I want her dead!"

Owen rubbed his burning eyes, cursing.

Diana's breath came in gasps, her legs growing weaker, but her mind was sharp. The men were getting closer. If this continued, they would catch her.

Then, a car approached, its headlights blinding her. Without thinking, she ran towards it.

The screech of brakes filled the air, and Diana's body trembled.

A sleek Bentley stopped inches from her. The driver, drenched in sweat, breathed a sigh of relief. "Mr. Johnson, I'll check on her."

Michael Johnson's face was tense. People these days have no regard for their lives, stopping cars like this.

But when he looked up and saw the figure standing in front of the car, his eyes narrowed. "Stay in the car. I'll handle this."

The driver was taken aback, surprised by Michael's reaction.

Diana, panting heavily, looked up. Surely Owen wouldn't dare come closer now, right?

But as she lifted her head, she saw the man stepping out of the car.

Michael, in a perfectly tailored suit, spoke in his deep, sexy voice. "Ms. Garcia, we meet again."

Diana froze, memories flooding back. Michael's handsome face was as striking as ever, his features flawless in the car's headlights, his eyes like deep, still waters.

"Didn't get enough of me earlier?" Michael smirked, his tone playful.

Diana's face turned crimson. Was this guy for real?

Owen and his men were still approaching. One of the bodyguards asked, "Boss, should we keep going?"

"This is my due. I don't care who shows up; I want her tonight."

Owen, supported by his men, shouted angrily, "Diana, if you don't die under me tonight, I'll take your name!"

He ignored the man beside Diana, his eyes fixed on her with a predatory gleam.

Diana was too beautiful, sparking his desire to conquer her.

Frowning, Diana didn't expect them to be so bold with someone else present. She quickly hid behind Michael, whispering, "Please help me."

Her fear and anxiety were evident, her hand clutching his suit jacket as if afraid he would abandon her.

Michael glanced at her, amused. "It's only been a few hours, and you've already attracted so many men?"

Diana forced a smile. "They're the ones being unreasonable. It's not my fault."

She added, "Is it my fault for being good-looking?"

Michael's gaze swept over her face, noting her doe-eyed innocence. Her constant chatter reminded him of their kiss the previous night.

He felt a surge of desire he could barely control.

"Who are you? She's mine. Her father sold her to me. You'd better stay out of this," Owen growled.

Michael shrugged, stepping aside. "Go ahead."

Diana's heart sank. She was exposed to Owen's leering gaze, making her sick.

Lowering her head, she quickly ran to Michael's side, grabbing his sleeve, her voice pleading. "Help me just this once. Name your price."

Michael looked at her slender fingers, a flash of triumph in his eyes before he masked it. "I don't need money. So why should I help you?"

Diana was at a loss. Was Michael holding a grudge?

Frowning, she thought for a moment, then closed her eyes, resigned. "Better to be with you than to be raped by that creep."

Michael's physique and face were a fair trade, though it was hard to say.

Owen, frustrated, ordered his bodyguards, "Hand over the woman, and we'll let you go."

Michael ignored them.

Raising an eyebrow, Michael lifted Diana's chin with a finger, forcing her to look at him. "Better than what?"

His voice was husky and seductive, like a caress.

Diana smiled coquettishly. "Better to make love with you."