Only Elodie seemed oblivious to how these things worked.


    Jarrod set his teacup down with casual indifference. "You can''t put a price on happiness and love. Raise it."


    Sylvie paused for a split second, then her lips curled into a smile, her eyes soft and glowing with sweetness. She raised her paddle again, chin tilted ever so slightly. "Fifty million."


    Ever since Elodie had joined the bidding, her eyes had been glued to Jarrod''s table. She''d seen with her own eyes that Sylvie hadn''t nned to continue until Jarrod gave her every ounce of confidence. No matter how high the price, he would back her up.


    In that instant, the color drained from Elodie''s face. For the first time, she felt a suffocating pressure she couldn''t put into words. Her heart clenched tight, aching and numb all at once.


    Up ahead, Maurice and the others watched the whole scene unfold with keen interest, ncing at Elodie with looks that needed no trantion. Their eyes seemed to mock her, silently dering her defeat and the absurdity of her challenge.


    Was Elodie even qualified topete with Sylvie?


    Grady felt a conflicting mix of emotions. He nced at Sylvie, then leaned in to whisper to Maurice, "Mr. Silverstein treats Ms. Fielding awfully well... Are they really nning to get married?"


    Maurice hesitated, throwing a sidelong nce at Elodie, who looked utterly lost. "I think so," he replied quietly.


    Once Elodie was out of the picture, it was only a matter of time.


    Grady fell silent, a sour pang in his chest. He knew, deep down, thatpared to Jarrod, he didn''t stand a chance.


    On the other side, Esmeralda could sense exactly how Elodie felt. She leaned closer, urgent. "Do you really care about that ring so much?"


    Elodie shook her head. "It''s not that. That ring is an heirloom in the Thorne family it''s my mother''s wedding ring..."


    Esmeralda''s face changed dramatically. Grabbing Elodie''s hand, she blurted, "Raise your paddle! Go all in! I''ve got over ten million in my ount-we can win this!"


    But Elodie only shook her head, resigned. "You don''t understand Jarrod."


    A few million meant nothing to Jarrod. No matter how high she bid, Jarrod would always raise the stakes for Sylvie-he''d push it to a level Elodie could never hope to reach.


    It was pointless.


    Esmeralda''s eyes were red with frustration. "Damn it! What is Jarrod ying at? Does he even know that ring was your mom''s wedding ring?"


    Elodie went silent for a moment.


    He knew.


    Back when they first got married, she''d thought Jarrod was resourceful enough to help her find it. She''d even asked him for help, shown him a picture of the ring. He''d agreed, saved the photo, and told her he couldn''t promise anything, but he''d try his best.


    And now...


    It was precisely because Jarrod knew that Elodie felt the cruel sting of irony. He understood everything—and still, for Sylvie, he dug a chunk of flesh straight from Elodie''s heart.


    He knew how much it hurt her. He knew she could never ept it. Jarrod''s indifference toward her was absolute.


    The gavel fell, and the auction was decided.


    Thunderous apuse erupted throughout the room. Congrattions poured in for Jarrod and Sylvie, who had just imed their prize. People whispered enviously among themselves.


    "Mr. Silverstein treats Ms. Fielding like a queen! He''s a businessman, but he doesn''t care about losing millions-just to make her happy!"


    "Where do I have to pray to find a man like Mr. Silverstein?"


    "But don''t you think... this ring must have some special meaning?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "It''s not every day you see Mr. Silverstein go all out to buy a ring with Ms. Fielding at his side. Do you suppose it''s because..."


    Esmeralda, always quick on the uptake, stared at Elodie in disbelief. "Don''t tell me Jarrod ns to use your mother''s wedding ring to propose to Sylvie?!"