Chapter 5 We Have A Deal

　　The word "breeder" echoed through Elaine's mind as she struggled to grasp its meaning. She now understood the look in Sherman's eyes - the way he seemed to be memorizing every detail of her appearance. It wasn't out of desire or interest, but rather the examination of goods he had just purchased. 　　Sherman remained silent as he handed Elaine a contract from the table. She slowly picked it up and scanned through its contents, her frown deepening with each line she read. Suddenly, she was struck with shock and slammed the contract back onto the table. 　　"How is this possible?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief. Her parents had lied to her. They had sold themselves to this man standing before her 　　"This is the deal your parents made with me," Sherman said calmly, flipping to the end of the contract where Elaine's father's signature was prominently displayed. 　　Elaine's heart leapt as she saw her father's name written there. "No, this can't be!" she cried out in disbelief. 　　Elaine's face blanched and her knees buckled, causing her to grip the table tightly to prevent herself from collapsing. She seemed to have made too much noise, and Sherman's expression softened into a frown as he looked at her with a hint of disapproval. 　　Elaine noticed the change in Sherman's demeanor and felt as though she had been turned to stone by Medusa, struggling to regain control of her body. Under his intense gaze, she could only remain rooted to the spot and muster what little courage she had left. 　　"I, as a party, have no knowledge of this matter, and this contract would have had no legal effect," Elaine stammered. 　　"Legal effect? Do you really think the law can protect your indebted parents?" Sherman sneered, a trace of disdain showing in his eyes. He looked at Elaine with a playful glint and slowly lifted his hand to stroke her hair. 　　His movements were gentle, like he was petting a newborn kitten. But Elaine knew that his soft hands could effortlessly break her neck, and she cowered, unable to move. 　　After a while, she stepped back, pulling away from Sherman, and deliberately said, "It doesn't matter. They left me behind first, anyway," she said, her voice laced with bitterness. 　　Sherman was taken aback by her words, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her with suspicion. He could tell that her words were nothing more than a feeble excuse. 　　Elaine pressed her lips together, her mind racing as she stood there, motionless. "There is still a way I can refuse to be your breeder, death!" she said, her voice trembling with fear. 　　Sherman's face hardened, and a trace of a killing aura emanated from his body, a sign of his experience in countless bloody battles. "You dare to threaten me?" he growled. 　　Elaine froze in place, her mind racing as she realized the gravity of her situation. The man in front of her was none other than the Alpha of Bostabaca, Sherman Holmes, and his gaze was cold and unfeeling. She knew that, if he wanted to, he could kill her as easily as squashing an ant. 　　Elaine knew that she should have submitted to him, but she could not bring herself to do so. She had a life she wanted to live, and people she loved. Her parents were missing, her fiancé had left without a word, and if she did not act now, she feared she would be trapped in darkness forever. 　　With a deep breath, Elaine forced herself to calm down. A fine layer of sweat covered her forehead, and a chill ran down her spine as a cold breeze blew through the room, making the temperature drop. 　　Elaine gazed at Sherman with a mixture of despair and anger. "You went to great lengths to bring me here to bear your child," she said. "There must have been a reason for you to choose me, although I don't know what that reason is yet. But if I die, it won't do you any good." 　　With a sudden surge of determination, Elaine reached for the solid gold pen on the table and pressed its tip against her throat. Her fingers trembled uncontrollably as she considered the consequences of her actions. 　　Sherman laughed lightly, as if amused by her actions. 　　He sat down and leaned back in his chair. Then, he took out a cigar from the drawer. He lit it unhurriedly and exhaled a puff of smoke. 　　"Don't you think I wouldn't dare!" Elaine exclaimed, her hand tightening on the pen, leaving a bloodstain on her white neck. 　　But Sherman's nonchalant attitude only infuriated her further. The thought of being trapped in this dark castle for the rest of her life was unbearable. Her heart filled with hate, she raised the pen with all her might, determined to end her life. But no matter how hard she tried, it seemed like there was an invisible barrier between the pen and her neck. 　　Sherman took another puff of his cigarette, the smoke flickering in and out of the room, all of which was clearly his doing. 　　Elaine let out a long sigh, and slowly put down the pen in her hand. She finally understood that everything she had just done in Sherman's eyes was in vain. He was like a god who ruled over everything, and her own life and death had long since ceased to belong to herself since her father signed that damn contract. 　　Elaine closed her eyes, tears cascading down her cheeks as she came to the bitter realization that her life had taken a dismal turn. 　　The sound of Sherman's icy voice sent shivers down her spine as he looked upon her with a gaze of indifference. "Tell me, Elaine," he said coolly, "what is it that you desire?" 　　Elaine's eyes snapped open, a flicker of hope alighting in her amethyst orbs. 　　She could not fathom the reason for Sherman's sudden change of heart, but she knew that this was her final chance. 　　Her body trembled with excitement as she met his gaze, her tears still flowing freely. 　　"Freedom," she said with a determined voice. "You must set me free after I give birth to the child." 　　Elaine knew that becoming Sherman's breeder was an inescapable reality. 　　If she did not comply, her parents would be thrown into prison for their unpaid debts, and her sweet sister would bear the blame for Elaine's cowardice. 　　With a deep breath, she accepted this as her only choice. 　　The only thing she could do now was to make a promise to herself - a promise that she would not be locked away forever and would one day reclaim her freedom. 　　After a moment of silence, Sherman nodded in agreement. "Very well," he said in a calm and measured tone. "We have a deal."