Chapter 1

It has been five years since my noble family was wrongfully exiled to the desolate northern frontier. In that time, I became the most sought-after escort at the Capital's top gentlemen's club.

My childhood sweetheart, the man who once promised to marry me, was a VIP guest tonight. At the auction for my virginity, he looked at me with deep affection. "Harper, leave with me."

My eyes turned red with emotion. I ignored the Duke of Blackwood, who offered a fortune for my freedom, and leaped off the stage for my sweetheart.

But as I turned around, I was met with the mocking laughter of countless young lords and ladies.

"Harper Monroe, you are still as foolish as ever. It was just a little bet, and you fell for it so easily."

They all laughed at my stupidity. They thought I was just a damn fool, played over and over again by Colton Reed just to make his true love smile.

But little did they know the truth. This was not just Colton's cruel game. It was also my high-stakes gamble to secure my own way out.

1.

The room full of wealthy elites fell dead silent. They had all come today just to see me make a fool of myself.

Madam Clara, the club owner, wrinkled her old face in sheer anger. "The Duke of Blackwood threw a fortune at you, and you didn't even blink. Yet you lose your damn mind over one light remark from him?"

Everyone in the city knew that the young general, Colton Reed, and I were childhood sweethearts. Even when I fell into the escort business, they thought he never abandoned me.

That was why I flatly rejected the Duke's offer of three thousand gold coins and firmly chose Colton.

The Duke just raised his eyebrows and shook his head with a faint smile.

I looked at Colton with teary, shy eyes. "Colton, I knew you still had me in your heart."

But the very next second, he frowned and pushed me away. Instead, he pulled a lady dressed in men's clothing into his arms. "Blair, it looks like I won this bet," he chuckled.

Blair Montgomery playfully pushed him away, feigning annoyance. The surrounding crowd burst into explosive laughter.

I looked closely and realized that everyone sitting there used to be old friends of Colton and me.

Someone shouted with a laugh. "Everyone knows Harper used to chase the young general around begging for marriage. Now that she's a ruined woman, she still dreams of a hero saving her?"

"She doesn't even look in the mirror. How is she good enough for General Colton?"

"Her stupidity is harmless, but poor Miss Blair lost the bet again. This time she has to pay with her own marriage!"

I stood frozen in place. Tears suddenly burst from my eyes.

Colton lazily glanced at me with absolute arrogance. "Harper, why are you always so damn naive?"

Then he grabbed Blair's hand and strode out of the club. He left me with one last cruel sentence. "What I said just now was nothing but a joke."

"I am already engaged to be married. You can sell your precious first night to someone else."

Watching his retreating back, I expressionlessly wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. I looked up and met the amused gaze of the Duke of Blackwood.

I had known about this bet between Colton and Blair for a long time.

But even so, hearing his merciless mockery in person still caused a dull ache in my heart.