Chapter 1 Are You a Virgin?

• "Are you a virgin?"
• The cold, handsome man before her reclined casually on the sofa, his long legs crossed, his expression as impassive as his question.
• Madeline Lawson's heart was racing with nervousness. She froze at his words; let the question hang in the air.
• Logan Stone tugged at his collar impatiently and repeated, "Didn't you claim to be innocent? If you're a virgin, we can talk this out. If not, let's forget it."
• Madeline felt her face warmed. After a long pause, her quiet voice emerged, barely audible above a whisper.
• "Y-yes."
• Logan halted his movements, inhaling deeply before delivering a chilling command.
• "Let's verify."
• "V-verify how?" Her voice quivered, betraying her anxiety as she struggled to maintain her composure.
• In one swift motion, Logan pulled her closer. Madeline gasped as her soft body collided with his solid chest. He felt the rapid pounding of her heart against him.
• Madeline's expression was one of sheer terror. Her gaze was frantic and flustered, resembling a frightened little game that caught in the snare of the hunter.
• So, she finally understands fear.
• He had intended to play the role of the villain to intimidate her.
• As he looked at this innocent young woman—untouched and innocent—he couldn't help but wonder where she had found the courage to sell herself.
• Just three hours earlier, Logan had received a call from an unknown number.
• A soft, sweet voice greeted him. The first words out of her mouth were shocking.
• "Are you interested in buying eggs?"
• At first, Logan thought he had answered the wrong number. He hung up, brow furrowed.
• However, the call came through again.
• Each time he hung up, she called back.
• Finally, out of frustration, he answered. The voice on the other end was the same, sweet yet earnest.
• "Sir, I'm serious. I'm twenty years old, healthy, young, and innocent. I attend North Anatovia University, and my eggs are of excellent quality. Please consider it."
• Logan paused, his frown deepening.
• A university student, really? Are people still falling for such scams?
• He replied stiffly, "Selling eggs privately is illegal in our state. Don't you know that?"
• There was a long silence on the other end, as if his words had startled her.
• All he could hear was the faint sound of her breathing from the other end.
• Before she could say anything, Logan decisively hung up.
• After stepping out of the operating room, he tossed his surgical gown into the trash.
• He had just finished several appendectomy surgeries, and his headache troubled him.
• Recently, the hospital had been shortstaffed; even a doctor specializing in complex cases like him had been assigned routine surgeries. He had been working nonstop all day.
• Jonathan Sanders had just finished his shift when he passed by other departments. He slung an arm over Logan's shoulder, raising an eyebrow in greeting.
• "What a coincidence, Dr. Stone! Finally caught you. Let's grab a drink after work.
• Logan glanced up at him, his voice flat. "Look at those dark circles under your eyes! If you keep drinking, you might just drop dead."
• "Don't remind me; I'm just mad," Jonathan complained as they walked. "Why are the students these days so clueless? I just had a girl in here who sold her eggs. Her ovaries were destroyed, and her uterus is decaying—she'll never be able to bear children again. She was sobbing uncontrollably in the ward. Her wailing makes my head pound."
• Logan paused, the earlier phone call flashing in his mind.
• The girl's voice had been soft and sweet, with a hint of youthful innocence. Even through her stammering, he could sense her nervousness, but also her earnestness.
• At just twenty, she was still inexperienced in the ways of the world.
• She might have fallen for a scam of egg-selling advertisements.
• His eyes darkened slightly as he tossed his car keys in the air and headed for the elevator.
• Logan wasn't a saint. He didn't want to get involved in any more troubling matters. He knew he couldn't save those who were intent on self-destruction.
• Upon reaching the underground parking lot, Logan climbed into his car and started the engine.
• Outside, Jonathan continued to knock on his window. "Hey! Are you coming or not? Let's go for drinks!"
• "Not coming," Logan replied curtly, pressing down on the gas pedal, the Land Rover speeding away without a backward glance.
• ...
• At ten o'clock that night, Logan had just arrived home. He set his phone down and sank into the sofa when that call came through again.
• His phone buzzed on the coffee table. Without even glancing at the screen, he casually swiped to answer.
• "Sir, I'm genuinely sincere about this. I'm in dire need of money. I promise I won't report you, and I'll keep everything confidential. Please give me a chance, will you?"
• The familiar voice came through. This time, her voice was tinged with a sobbing urgency, as if she were in some sort of desperate situation.
• Logan had heard the same kind of despair outside the ICU countless times—a cry for help stemming from troubles that left one powerless without money.
• He leaned forward, glancing at the now familiar number with a hint of annoyance.
• Logan wondered which fool had mistakenly listed his number in a shady ad or if the girl had simply dialed incorrectly.
• Regardless, it seemed fate had brought her to him.
• He had no intention of getting involved.
• Just as he decided to block that number, Logan suddenly recalled Jonathan's words about students being so foolish.
• "Ovaries were destroyed, and the uterus is decaying—she'll never be able to bear children again."
• "Where are you?" Logan's tone shifted as he queried the girl on the other end.
• Madeline took her time to respond. "North Anatovia University, School of Architecture."
• "You're an architecture student?"
• "Yeah," Madeline buried her face in her arms, her cheeks flushed crimson.
• She felt ashamed to associate herself with that identity.
• Logan drummed his fingers on the table, pausing for a moment to reflect.
• He wasn't in the habit of bringing strangers home.
• Yet, at this hour, he had no desire to go out.
• He was gambling, testing whether this naive girl would actually show up.
• If she did, he planned to give her a good scare.
• Thus, he provided his apartment address. "Bay City, Building 6, Unit 1009. Come over."
• Madeline's face was burning hot; her neck and ears flushed as red as tomatoes.
• She glanced at the clock; there were still half an hour left before the dorm lights went out.
• Madeline hesitated.