Elodie was taken aback by Esmeralda''s words and sat in stunned silence for a long moment.


    Could it really be true?


    Her gaze darkened as she looked ahead at Jarrod.


    In that instant, she couldn''t read him at all-he was a closed book to her.


    If Esmeralda''s guess was right...


    Then Jarrod wasn''t just humiliating her he was openly disgracing the Thorne family.


    She couldn''t bear the thought of her mother''s wedding ring ending up on Selma''s daughter''s finger.


    "Elodie, let''s try to think of another way," Esmeralda said, her face etched with worry as she noticed how pale Elodie had be. Clearly, this blow had hit her hard.


    Elodie nodded, forcing herself to stay calm.


    There was nothing she could do now but bide her time and look for another opportunity.


    The charity g had its own rules, and she couldn''t simply disrupt the proceedings.


    She lifted her eyes to the front of the room. Sylvie was in high spirits, chatting animatedly with Jarrod, who sat quietly listening. To any outsider, they looked like


    a picture-perfect couple-charming, affectionate, perfectly matched.


    And here Elodie was, left in the shadows, her disappointment and humiliation only serving to set off their radiance.


    She closed her eyes for a brief moment, gathering herself as quickly as she could.


    Elodie wasn''t one to give in to despair. Even if every road seemed blocked, she would find a way forward.


    She wasn''t about to give up on her mother''s ring.


    The evening wore on. The auction lots donated from around the world were nearly finished.


    A representative from the Jett family, the event''s hosts, took the stage to announce the evening''s final tally.


    Seven hundred million.


    That enormous sum would be distributed to impoverishedmunities across the country, and to charities supporting orphaned children with serious illnesses.


    But the highlight was...


    The host beamed as he announced, "Let''s congratte Mr. Silverstein and Ms. Fielding, our most generous patrons of the evening!"


    Thunderous apuse broke out.


    Elodie watched the spectacle with an unreadable expression as Jarrod basked in the glory, all for the sake of impressing histest conquest.


    She let out a soft, bitterugh.


    The charity g was nothing like a formal auction-it was more entertainment than business.


    Famous celebrities had been invited to perform onstage, keeping the atmosphere lively.


    The host went on, "Tonight, since everyone''s in such high spirits, we''ve added a fun new segment! Our distinguished guests can showcase their talents. Whoever wins first ce will have five new schools built in their name for underprivileged children!"


    Esmeralda whispered, "That''s actually a great idea. It could give more kids a chance to go to school."


    She turned to Elodie. "Elodie, you''re brilliant at the piano. Since we didn''t manage to win anything tonight, why not y a piece? Maybe you could help the kids get those schools."


    It was a way to do some good, at least.


    Elodie had finally regained herposure after the earlier blow. She''d spent the whole evening searching for Fergus and hadn''t caught sight of him—perhaps, if she drew everyone''s attention, she might spot the expert in the crowd.


    She considered for a moment, then nodded her agreement.


    Esmeralda had been waiting for her to say yes. The moment Elodie nodded, she raised her hand eagerly. "Over here! My friend would love to y a piece on the piano for everyone is that alright?"


    Esmeralda had unshakable confidence in Elodie.


    Elodie had enjoyed every advantage growing up-her family might have been cold, but the Thornes were an old, schrly lineage. Rosemary had studied abroad in her youth, and the family''s intellectual pedigree was exceptional.


    Winifred had always given Elodie her full support and every resource to nurture her talents.


    By the time Elodie was twelve or thirteen, she was already ying at a professional level.


    She was naturally gifted, a quick study in everything she tried.


    But after her marriage, the years had dulled her brilliance. With no one to appreciate her talents, she simply stopped showing them.


    Yet she didn''t shrink from the spotlight now. She looked up at the stage, ready.


    Suddenly, the host nced awkwardly at the front row, where Queenie sat.


    Queenie turned to Elodie, looking apologetic and a little surprised. "This is a bit awkward... Sylvie just said she wanted to y the piano too, right before you did. Elodie, you two... well, it looks like you''re inpetition."


    Elodie''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    She nced over at Sylvie, who sat serenely sipping her tea.


    What a coincidence.


    Queenie sighed, then smiled. "After all, it''s not a piano recital-we don''t really need to hear two piano performances. Maybe one of you could step aside?"