49 The Three–Hundred–Million–Dollar Gift
I froze, Sebastian Sinclair’s secretary standing before me with my mother’s jade
bracelet extended in his hands. The auction hall had fallen into a shocked silence.
“Mr. Sinclair instructed that this jade bracelet is a gift for Miss Shaw” the secretary
announced, his voice carrying through the quiet room
My mouth opened, but no words came out. Three hundred million dollars. The figure bounced around my head like a pinball, too enormous to grasp.
“… I can’t accept this,” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
The secretary’s expression remained professionally neutral. “Mr. Sinclair anticipated your refusal and asked me to inform you that he insists. The bracelet is rightfully
yours
Vera nudged me, her eyes wide. “Hazel,” she hissed, “take it!
Around us, the crowd had begun to whisper. I could feel hundreds of eyes on me. assessing, judging, wondering. Who was I to receive such an extravagant gift from
Sebastian Sinclair?
I looked toward the VIP box where Sebastian had been moments ago, but it was empty. He’d vanished, leaving only his representative and this impossible gesture behind
“Where is Mr. Sinclair?” I asked, scanning the room. “I should thank him personally
“Mr. Sinclair had urgent business to attend to, the secretary replied. “He extends his apologies for not presenting the gift himself.”
From across the room. I caught sight of Ivy. Her face had drained of all color, her expression twisted with pure hatred. Beside her. Alistair looked stunned his gaze darting between the bracelet and me with growing confusion
The secretary cleared his throat. “Miss Shaw, may 17” He gestured to my wrist.
Still in a daze, I extended my arm. With practiced hands, he fastened the fade bracelet around my wrist. The cool stone settled against my skin like it had never left, like my
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mother had just clasped it there hersell
“It’s beautiful on you, Vera whispered.
Tears pricked behind my eyes: “It was my mother’s” I managed, running a finger over the smooth jade. “The only piece of her I had left.
The secretary gave a small bow. “Mr Sinclair is pleased to return it to its rightful owner: He handed me a small envelope. “His contact details, should you wish to express your gratitude directly
As he turned to leave. I found my voice “Wait!
He paused, looking back at me expectantly.
“Please tell Mr. Sinclair..” I struggled to find words adequate for what he’d done. “Tell him I’m more grateful than I can express.
The secretary’s professional mask softened slightly. “I will convey your message, Miss
Shaw
As he walked away, the spell of silence broke. The auction hall erupted in excited chatter, all of it centered on me. I could hear fragments floating through the air:
-that’s Hazel Shaw?”
didn’t know she knew Sebastian Sinclair-
“-three hundred million for a bracelet-”
-must be something between them-”
Vera gripped my arm. “Hazel, do you have any idea what just happened? Sebastian Sinclair just made you the talk of the city?
I shook my head, still struggling to process it all. “I don’t understand why he would do
this.
“Well, whatever his reason,” Vera said, eyeing the approaching figures of Ivy and Alistair, he just handed you the ultimate revenge
Ivy reached our table first, her face flushed with anger despite her weakened state.
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“What kind of game are you playing” she demanded, her voice shartl
Flocked up at her freting surprisingly calm. “No game, Ivy. The bracelet belonged to my mother Now it’s back with me
Nobody spends three hundred million on a bracelet out of charity, she spat. “What’s going on between you and Sebastian Sinclan
Alistair placed a restraining hand on her arm. “Ivy, this isn’t the place
She shook him off I want to know how she managed to wrap one of the most powerful men in the city around her finger!”
The accusation hung in the air between us. Lcould have told her the truth–that I had no idea why Sebastian had done this, that before today. I’d only met him once. But something in her venomous expression made me hold my tongue. Let her wonder: Let
her worry.
I stood slowly, the bracelet catching the light as I moved. “I don’t owe you any explanations, Ivy. Not anymore?
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “You think you’ve won something? You think this makes
you special?
“No” I replied honestly. “But it does make me happy to have back the one thing of my
mother’s that you couldn’t take from me.”
Charlotte appeared at Ivy’s side, her face tight with concern. “Ivy, you should sit down.
Remember what the doctor said about stress.
For a moment, I thought Ivy might collapse right there from sheer fury. Her face had taken on an alarming shade of red. But instead, she straightened her spine, forcing a cold smile
Enjoy your moment, Hazel. It won’t last.” She turned to Alistair. “Take me home. Now.”
Alistair hesitated, his eyes fixed on me with an unreadable expression. I met his gaze steadily refusing to look away first Something passed between us–regret? Confusion? Whatever it was it didn’t matter anymore
“Alistair Ivy repeated, sharper this time.
The Three hundred Jalton Dobar bate
He finally tore his eyes from nine and nodded, guiding Ivy through the crowd that parted for them like water
As they walked away. I noticed how people’s gazes followed them briefly before suapping back to me. In a single moment, Sebastian Sinclair had shifted the balance of power Yesterday, I was the scorned ex–fiancer Today I was the woman worthy of a three–hundred–million–dollar gift from one of the most eligible bachelors in the
country
Vera whistled low. “That was worth every penny of those three hundred million just to
see Ivy’s face
I sank back into my chair, suddenly exhausted. “I still don’t understand why he did it
“Maybe he likes you.” Vera suggested, signaling a waiter for champagne. “Or maybe he just hates seeing bullies win”
The waiter arrived with two flutes of champagne. Vera raised hers in a toast. “To Sebastian Sinclair, whoever the hell he is, and to you getting your mother’s bracelet
back.”
I touched my glass to hers, the jade bracelet sliding down my arm as I did. “To my mother,” I added softly.
As I sipped the champagne, I felt my phone vibrate in my purse. I pulled it out to see a text from an unknown number:
“The bracelet looks exactly as it should–back on your wrist. I hope it brings you
comfort. – S
My heart stuttered. He was watching me, even now, I scanned the room again but saw
no sign of him.
“What is it?” Vera asked, noticing my expression.
showed her the message. Her eyebrows shot up: “Oh, girl. This is getting interesting”
What am I supposed to do now?” I whispered, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.
Vera’s smile was wide. “You’re going to finish that champagne, hold your head high and walk out of here like the queen you are. Then tomorrow, you’re going to figure out
actly what Sebastian Sinclair wants from vIREL
Inodded slow, Supers Tracing the smooth contains of my mother’s bracelet
Whenever Sebastig’s botives he had saven me back a piece of my heart thought was Just forever for Tonight that was enough
As we prepared to leave, noticed everyone’s eyes still following me For the first time ster Alistan left me, I felt visible again—not as someone to be pitied, but as someone
who mattered Someone worthy of a three–hundred–million–dollar gesture
Theo my head high and walked out of the auction hall, my mother’s bracelet glinting
promise
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