Part 1My Parents Auctioned My Life on Live Stream

Under the live stream's gaze.

My philanthropic father and influencer mother were staging a custody battle.

Mom, an influencer, was crying crocodile tears to millions of viewers.

"I haven't been able to be there for Autumn these past years. I'm willing to spend the rest of my life making it up to her."

But just ten minutes ago, backstage, she'd shoved 19 potent cold pills into my mouth.

"Be a good girl, Autumn. Don't look sickly on camera and ruin my reputation."

My eyes streamed with tears from choking, but I nestled into her arms.

"Mom, you're so thoughtful. You even calculated the exact dosage."

My father, not to be outdone, publicly announced he would set up a billion-dollar educational fund for me.

"Dad will give you the best of everything in the world."

He leaned close to my ear, his voice chilling.

"Be obedient, or I can't guarantee your grandmother's oxygen tube will stay connected."

I hunched my shoulders.

"Dad, a billion is too far away. I'm quite short-sighted when it comes to money."

I held up a QR code for payments.

"Five hundred thousand."

"Whoever transfers the money first, I'll go with them."

They scrambled to send the transfers.

"PayPal: Five hundred thousand dollars received."

I whispered in my mind.

"System, the money is enough to pay off Grandma's medical bills."

…

"After I'm gone, will she truly live a long and healthy life?"

System: "Host, the contract is complete. Countdown initiated."

I saw the live stream's comments explode.

"OMG, is this kid only seeing dollar signs?"

"Her parents love her so much, and she only cares about money? Ungrateful brat!"

"If I had parents like that, I'd wake up laughing every day. She's publicly asking for money, it's disgusting."

My mother, Joanna Reed, quick as a flash, pulled me into a hug, her tears turning into a broken smile for the camera.

"See, everyone, Autumn is still closest to her mom."

She held me very tight, but her fingertips sharply pinched the soft flesh on my waist.

Leaning close to my ear, her voice was sickly sweet.

"Autumn, how could you publicly ask Mom for money?"

The overdose of cold medicine surged through me in waves, my stomach churning violently.

I didn't answer her.

I opened the hospital payment page.

Five hundred thousand, transferred to the hospital account.

Then, I slumped further into her embrace.

"Mom, I'm so sleepy..."

"Sleep if you're sleepy."

She held me even tighter, her lips curving into a loving smile for the camera.

"Mommy's got you."

My father, Marcus Black, his face ashen, still maintained that fake, suave smile.

"Since Autumn chose you, let her stay with you for a few days."

"However, she must attend the charity gala."

He walked over to adjust my collar, lowering his voice:

"Don't forget your grandmother is still in my hospital."

"Dare to say anything out of line, and I'll have them cut off her oxygen."

When Grandma was awake, she would write in my palm, over and over, with her fingertip.

"Don't beg them."

I nodded, and she finally released my hand.

I lifted my face, looking obedient.

"Don't worry, Dad."

Marcus patted my face with satisfaction, then turned and waved goodbye to the camera.

As soon as the live stream ended, the loving expression on Joanna's face vanished.

She pushed me away as if I were trash.

I lost my footing, my temple hitting the sharp edge of the dressing table.

Warm blood trickled down my eyebrow.

"Give me your phone!"

She lunged to snatch my phone, her eyes red.

"That was my budget for traffic, you cheap life! You think you're worthy of five hundred thousand?"

I slumped to the floor, blood blurring my left eye.

"Mom," I gasped, my voice weak.

"You said in the live stream... this was to compensate me."

"Compensate your mother's head!"

She kicked me in the ribs, and I doubled over in pain.

A lazy, mocking laugh echoed from the doorway.

"Joanna, don't break her."

A young man with dyed blonde hair and smelling of cigarette smoke strolled in.

It was Mom's boyfriend, Jason.

He pulled out his phone and casually started a live stream on a burner account.

The camera zoomed into my face.

"Families, did you see clearly?"

"This is Joanna's poor daughter she brought home."

His gaze slowly slid from the blood on my forehead to my neckline.

Joanna's eyes lit up, and she immediately played along.

"Families, don't scold Autumn. She's just been mistreated by the old woman..."

Jason pushed the camera even closer.

"Come on, Autumn. Say to the camera... how your grandmother mistreated you?"

My brow involuntarily furrowed.

As soon as I looked up, he had already squatted down, pretending to fix my bangs.

His fingertip brushed my temple, pausing for half a second.

"Don't be nervous," he whispered, laughing.

"I just want to see how obedient you can be."

I lowered my head, my voice trembling faintly.

"I... I don't remember."

Jason clicked his tongue impatiently, reaching out to lift my chin.

I turned my face away, letting his fingers miss.

Joanna leaned close to my ear, her voice low and biting.

"Just say that the old woman mistreated you, and we'll get the traffic."

I swallowed the sour bile, timidly saying.

"I... I'm afraid it will affect Dad."

Jason smiled at the live stream.

"Families, how about we give her some time?"

Saying that, he ended the live stream.

Joanna rolled her eyes, pointing to the end of the hallway.

"There's a folding bed in the utility room."

"You can sleep there."

I nodded, accepting.

Walking to the end of the hallway, I asked in my mind.

"System, is the countdown still on?"

The light screen lit up:

"Host, 7 days, 19 hours, 59 minutes remaining."