He wasn’t politically powerful.
He was simply a middle-aged farmer who owned a modest coffee plantation called Santo António.
He had spent years fighting debts and struggling against unpredictable harvests.
He counted money carefully.
He rarely made impulsive decisions.
So why had he just bid on the person everyone else considered worthless?
Nobody knew.
Then someone laughed.
Another man joined him.
Within seconds, several buyers were openly mocking Joaquim.
“Seven cents?”
“For her?”
“You’ll regret it.”
“She’s already been rejected by everyone here.”