The auctioneer looked at the number. "Number 33 — Phoenix!"
Phoenix was the nickname Xia Ling gave herself in Paradise. Little Shaohui knew that she was the Xia family's Phoenix, and this nickname would, hopefully, allow him to identify her more easily.
The auctioneer raised his voice. "In that case, let's invite Madam Phoenix onstage to claim her prize!"
Xia Ling adjusted her mask more securely, draped the black shawl over her shoulders, and walked onstage on her shiny stilettos. The little girl was curled up in a cage set right in the center of the stage and looked up at her with eyes filled with fear.
An employee dressed as a clown came forward with an intricately designed tray.
And on the tray was a single key.
Those who had watched the auction before would know that this was the key to unlock the cage and retrieve the person inside, claiming the slave as their own.
