"Colten, I knew you wouldn't ignore me!"
She stumbled to her feet but fell back to the ground in pain, crawling toward me unsteadily.
Kneeling at my feet, she hugged my legs, looking terrified that I would leave her.
Her gaze was full of pleading.
"Colten, you will save me, right?"
I stood still, revealing no emotion.
Joyce panicked, shaking my legs. "Say something! Colten, please! Tell me that you would save me!"
I pulled my leg away from her grasp and turned to the group of men who had been watching.
"Where is Grayson?"
The leading man scoffed, "That man took the money and left her here. How would I know where he is?
"Are you here to buy her back?"
Joyce crawled over to hug my leg again, her eyes hopeful.
I asked in a deep voice, "How much do you want?"
The leader was momentarily taken aback, not expecting my swift agreement, and then a broad smile appeared on his face.
After years in business, I could see the calculations and greed in his eyes.
"One million dollars."
I raised an eyebrow and immediately shook my head.
"Then forget it. She isn't worth that much."
Joyce froze in shock, and the big men around her looked stunned, their eyes blazing with anger.
"How dare you fool me?"