46 The Rival’s Shadow at the Auction
The fifty million dollars appeared in my account that afternoon, exactly as Sebastian had promised. No delays, no complications A simple transfer that changed everything
I stared at my phone screen the balance seeming almost unreal Sebastian Sinclair had trusted me with this fortune on nothing more than my word and a hastily drafted
Contract
“Did it come through?” Vera asked, peering over my shoulder at the hotel room we’d booked in Shanghai,
“Yes I whispered, still in disbelief. All of it
Vera whistled. “That man doesn’t mess around.
I set my phone down, struggling to process the magnitude of Sebastian’s generosity. Most banks would have required mountains of paperwork for a loan this size. Sebastian
had needed only minutes.
“I need to finish Mrs. Sinclair’s dress before the auction.” I said, pushing away my
thoughts.
The vintage–inspired evening gown lay half–finished on the bed. Mrs. Sinclair had specifically requested my personal touch for her anniversary celebration, and I
wouldn’t let her down.
“You should rest,” Vera frowned. “You’ve been working non–stop since we landed.”
“After the auction,” I promised, threading a needle. This needs to be perfect
The next hours passed in a blur of stitches and fabric. By midnight, the dress was complete – a masterpiece of royal blue silk with delicate beadwork that caught the light like stars.
“Stunning Vera murmured, helping me pack it carefully ‘Mrs. Sinclair will be thrilled?
nodded, satisfaction momentarily overpowering my exhaustion. “The courier will pick it up in the morning”
Pasep cake fitfulty that night. Dreams of jade bracelets and dark eyes haunted me upd dawn crept through the urtains
The auction house was already bustling when we arrived. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the gathering crowd. Wealthy collectors mingled with art dealers. their murmured conversations creating a gentle hum
“Hem forty–seven, Vera checked the program. “Your bracelet comes up in about an
Thou
We found our seats near the center, offering a perfect view of both the auctioneer and other bidders. Iclutched my paddle nervously, running through my bidding strategy
once more
“Relax” Vera squeezed my hand. “With Sebastian’s money backing you, that bracelet is
as good as yours
I nodded, trying to believe her. The first several lots passed in a blur of raised paddles and climbing numbers. I barely registered the antique vases and rare paintings finding
new homes.
Then a commotion at the entrance pulled my attention away. My heart stopped.
Alistair Everett stood in the doorway, his tall frame impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. But it wasn’t his presence alone that froze my blood – it was the wheelchair he pushed, and the frail figure sitting in it.
Ivy.
My stepsister looked smaller than I remembered, wrapped in an expensive cashmere shawl despite the warm room. Her face was pale, her once–vibrant hair now thin and fimp. The perfect picture of a woman fighting terminal illness.
“What are they doing here?” Vera hissed, her hand tightening on my arm.
I couldn’t answer. My throat had closed, choked by a surge of emotions! couldn’t
Masc
They moved toward the seating area, Alistair solicitons in his attention to ley’s comfort. Several attendees glanced their way, sympathy clear in their expressions
course they’d come? I finally managed, bitterness coating each word “hey would hever miss a chance to ruin this for me
Vera’s eyes narrowed. That little witch. Even dying, she can’t leave you in peace
she’s not here by accident. My voice hardened. “She knows exactly what’s in this
auction
As if sensing my gaze, ivy turned in our direction Dur eyes locked across the crowded room For a brief moment, her mask slipped The corners of her mouth twitching into what might have been a smile before she quickly resumed her suffering expression.
Alistair spotted us next. His face paled, hands tightening on the handles of Ivy’s wheelchair. He leaned down to whisper something in her ear, and she nodded weakly.
“Should we move?” Vera asked, glaring in their direction.
“No.” I straightened my spine. I won’t let them chase me away.”
The auction continued, but my focus was shattered. Every few minutes, I found my eyes drawn to where Alistair and Ivy sat, several rows ahead and to my right. Perfect positioning to watch both me and the auctioneer.
When they announced lot forty–seven, my mother’s jade bracelet, my heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear the starting bid.
“The rare imperial jade bracelet, dating from the late Qing Dynasty, the auctioneer announced. “We’ll start the bidding at three million.”
Traised my paddle immediately.
Three million from paddle number twenty–eight,” the auctioneer acknowledged. “Dol
hear three–point–five?
Another paddle raised – not Alistair’s or lvy’s, but a collector I recognized from
previous auctions.
Three–point–five to number forty–two. Four million?”
I raised my paddle again, determination steeling my nerves
“Four million to twenty–eight Four–point–five?”
The fat of photo in the hon
The bidding climbed steadily, Five million Six Seven. The other bidders dropped on one by one until only I remained
Relief washed through me: It was happening I was getting my mother’s bracelet back.
“Ten million going once the auctioneer called.
A paddle raised from Ivy’s direction. Not Alistair’s number another bidder near them that I couldn’t see clearly
“Ten–point–five million to number seventy one.
My stomach clenched. I raised my paddie. “Eleven million.”
“Eleven million to twenty–eight. Eleven–point–five?”
The mysterious paddle seventy–one rose again. The price climbed higher. Fifteen million. Twenty. Twenty–five.
I kept bidding, Sebastian’s funds giving me confidence I’d never had before. But each time I bid, paddle seventy–one countered.
At forty million, I stood and made my way toward their section, determined to see my
competition.
There, hiding behind an elderly couple, sat one of Ivy’s friends – Charlotte Wyatt, a socialite from our same circle. Her eyes widened when she saw me approaching, paddle clutched tightly in her manicured hand.
I changed course, marching directly to where Ivy sat instead.
“Really?” I demanded, stopping before her wheelchair. “You’re so determined to hurt me that you’d send your friend to bid against me?”
Ivy’s eyes widened in practiced innocence. “Hazel, what are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb,” I hissed. “I know Charlotte is bidding for you.”
Alistair stood, placing himself between us like a shield. “Hazel, this isn’t appropriate Ivy is unwell
“She’s well enough to scheme 1 countered. “The auction for my mother’s bracelet?
“The one wem in the world that means everything to me? You think it’s coincidence Charlotte is here indding against me?
had no idea Ivy whispered, her voice fragile “Truly Hazel Charlotte collects jade. Maybe she genuinely wants it.”
“Forty–five million to paddle seventy–one, the auctioneer’s voice cut through our confrontation. “Do Thear fifty million?”
Alistair looked alarmed at the price “Hazel let it go. No bracelet is worth that much!
“My mother’s bracelet is, I stated coldly, raising my paddle high. “Fifty millions.
A hush fell over the room. Even the auctioneer paused, taken aback by the aggressive bidding for what was, objectively, not the most valuable piece in the auction.
1 glared down at ivy, whose sickly appearance couldn’t disguise the calculation in her
eyes
You took everything else.” I said quietly. “You won’t take this too.”
Charlotte looked toward Ivy, clearly seeking direction. My confidence faltered. With Sebastian’s loan, I had exactly fifty million. If they went higher…
“Fifty million going once,” the auctioneer called, recovering his professional demeanor
Ivy’s lips curved into the barest hint of a smile.
“Fifty million going twice…”
Charlotte’s paddle twitched in her hand.
My heart stopped.
