Chapter 2 Testing the Goods

• Madeline couldn't shake her mother's words from her mind. "We've supported you, feeding you, scrimping, and saving to pay your tuition. Now that you're a university student, you won't even send a little money home. All you do is complain about being broke! Look at Sally next door—she dropped out of middle school and got a job. She sends home ten thousand dollars every month. What good are you to us?"
• Biting her lip, Madeline felt a surge of frustration.
• Given her silence and loss of thought, that man scoffed dismissively, "If you lack the courage, stop dreaming about making big money. Just throw it into the wind, future designer."
• Clenching her fists, Madeline steeled herself and replied, "I'll go."
• She was sitting alone in the dark hallway of her dorm, the silence thick and heavy around her.
• Taking a deep breath, she resolved, "I'm coming. Just wait for me."
• ...
• Bay City wasn't far from North Anatovia University; it was just four stops by bus or two by subway.
• Following the directions on her phone, Madeline boarded the last subway train. The empty carriage echoed with the voice of the announcer calling out the stops.
• She barely settled into her seat when the train arrived at her destination.
• Once she reached the exterior of the complex, it took her some time to locate Building 6. This was an upscale apartment complex where the elevator required a key card to access.
• In the waiting area of the lobby, Madeline took out her phone and dialed Logan's number.
• "I—I'm here in the lobby, but I can't get in. The elevator needs a keycard."
• When Logan received the call, he hadn't expected her to actually show up.
• He fell silent for a moment before responding. Almost on instinct, he said, "Wait there."
• He hung up and headed downstairs.
• In the lobby, several people sat scattered across the waiting area, with couches and small tables arranged neatly.
• Logan scanned the lobby and spotted a girl in the corner. She wore a simple white T-shirt, loose-fitting jeans, and black canvas shoes. Her outfit was plain, but her demeanor betrayed a nervousness that made her appear both innocent and foolish.
• He walked over to her.
• Madeline had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, glancing around at the elegant building and feeling out of place.
• She straightened her back, trying to maintain a natural posture.
• Just then, a male voice called out, "6529?"
• Startled, she looked up and met the chiseled, handsome man.
• Automatically, Madeline looked up and met the sharp features of a handsome man. He stood casually, one hand in his pocket, looking down at her from his taller stature. This man carried a scent of cologne that was both fresh and distinctly masculine.
• Madeline froze for a moment, unable to process his presence. Then she heard him state coolly, "Phone ending in 6529. Selling eggs."
• Instantly, her face burned with embarrassment.
• Her mind buzzed and her body froze.
• She hadn't expected the fierce voice from the phone to belong to such a refined and attractive man. He stood there so effortlessly, but it was difficult for her to look away.
• Yet his aloof demeanor made her hesitate to approach.
• Madeline nodded. Her face flushed. "That's me."
• "Come with me."
• He said it curtly before turning to walk towards the elevator.
• Madeline stood up awkwardly, her mind still buzzing as she followed him.
• ...
• Madeline followed Logan into his apartment, feeling a mix of anxiety and curiosity as she took in her surroundings.
• The design was that of an upscale residence—two units per floor. After stepping out of the elevator, Logan used his fingerprint to unlock the door.
• He opened it with a soft beep, keeping his tone casual.
• "Come in."
• Madeline swallowed hard and cautiously stepped inside.
• The apartment felt immense to her, spanning over 2,000 square feet. Its decor was simple yet elegant, dominated by a muted gray and white color tone that hinted at understated luxury.
• She had heard that these apartments were incredibly expensive, inhabited by high achievers. Just the lavish amenities in the lobby suggested that it would take an ordinary person years to afford such a place.
• Standing timidly in the entryway, Madeline felt like a mouse caught in a spotlight.
• Logan shut the door behind them. He opened a nearby cabinet and tossed her a pair of disposable slippers before her. Without protest, Madeline slipped off her shoes and put them on.
• As she walked into the living room, she found him lounging on the sofa, leaning back comfortably with his legs crossed in a casual manner.
• His dark eyes roamed over her body, assessing her with an unabashed curiosity that made Madeline feel like a commodity on display, waiting for judgment.
• Silence stretched between them. She dared not move, standing there and allowing him to scrutinize her, keeping her gaze lowered.
• Finally, Logan broke the silence with a blunt instruction.
• "Take off your pants."
• What?
• Madeline froze, her body stiffening at his command.
• "Don't you know what testing the goods means?" Logan raised his eyebrow, his gaze penetrating. "How can I know if you're a virgin without checking?"
• Madeline bit her lip, overwhelmed by an unprecedented wave of humiliation.
• Her hands trembled as they hovered over her belt.
• Madeline's thoughts became a jumbled mess; a loud ringing in her ears drowned out any coherent response.
• Logan's intense gaze pierced her, dark and insightful. He shifted slightly, watching her every movement with a casual yet unwavering scrutiny.
• Her heart raced, her cheeks burned with heat, and it felt as though blood rushed to her head. Her hands fidgeted nervously at her sides.
• As he toyed with a glass of water, Logan spoke slowly, imparting information with an unsettling calmness.
• "After egg retrieval, you might experience bloating, nausea, an enlarged abdomen, or difficulty breathing. These are your problems to manage. The risks include infections like hepatitis B, syphilis, or AIDS. But I assume a student at North Anatovia University is smarter than that; I shouldn't have to remind you."
• Madeline's face went pale, and her hands shook even more.
• "Take it off. Hurry up; I don't have all day."
• Logan placed the glass down on the coffee table with a soft thud, his expression unreadable.
• Madeline's fingers gripped her belt tighter, a battle waging within her.
• Suddenly, she recoiled, "I've changed my mind. I'm sorry, I'm leaving now."
• In a panic, she turned to escape, trembling as she yanked on the doorknob, only to find it wouldn't budge.
• The door was locked.
• Madeline's heart raced, and she was incredibly nervous.
• Just then, Logan sauntered over, his tall, imposing figure effortlessly pinning her against the door.
• He leaned closer. His handsome face was barely an inch away, emanating an unmistakable pressure that made her heart race.
• "Backing out? Too late for that.
• "You can't just decide to sell and unsell whenever you want. That's not how the world works."