If she could also earn Mr. Walden''s approval, her achievements would surpass even Mrs. Nora''s.


    Rachel had barely stepped out of her car when another vehicle pulled up in front of the auction house.


    The crowd nced at the ostentatious license te three eights in a row-and collectively drew sharp breaths.


    "Hey, isn''t that Neville''s car?"


    "Neville? Who''s that? I''ve never heard of him."


    "The Connolly family''s business has always been overseas. It''s not strange if you haven''t heard of them. Neville only started working here this year, and word is, he''s just as formidable as the O''Brien Group."


    "Too bad he''s been secretly married for a while now-and already has a kid, or I''d be thinking of introducing my daughter to him."


    "Secretly married? Didn''t Haynes do the same? Is keeping marriage a trend now?"


    “Trend? Please. People who hide their marriages either have something to be ashamed of or want to keep something in the dark. In a normal family, who''d hide their wife and kids?"


    While the crowd gossiped, a pale, elegant hand slipped into Neville''s.


    At the same moment, a slender, shapely leg in a stiletto heel emerged from the car, capturing everyone''s attention.


    A hush fell as they watched, jaws tightened. Just seeing that leg was enough to send imaginations racing-if her legs were so stunning, just how beautiful must the woman herself be?


    Moments ago, everyone''s attention had been on Rachel, but now all eyes flicked to the car, breath held, eager for a glimpse of the mysterious woman.


    Slowly, she stepped out. She wore a sky-blue, form-fitting evening gown that entuated her tall, graceful figure and dignified poise.


    Her features were exquisitely refined, as if painted with the softest brushstrokes- every line and curve perfectlyposed. The longer you looked at her, the more captivating she became; beauty not just in her face, but in her very bearing.


    "My God, who is she? Which family''s daughter is that? I''ve never seen her before."


    "She came with Neville-could she be the wife he''s kept hidden?"


    "No wonder Neville''s kept her away from everyone. With a beauty like that, I wouldn''t want to risk showing her off either, in case someone tried to steal her away."


    "They say Haynes''s wife is so in he''s embarrassed to be seen with her, but Neville''s wife is so gorgeous he can''t bear to share her with the world... Talk about contrasts."


    Rachel, who had been the center of attention just moments ago, saw that the woman who''d stolen the spotlight was none other than Ste. Her hands curled into fists, jaw clenched in fury.


    She wore a fitted gown-and so did Ste. This had to be on purpose!


    Just then, Jasper strode over.


    When he spotted Ste, his eyes widened in disbelief.


    Without thinking, Jasper stormed over and blocked her path.


    "What are you doing here, you cast-off? This isn''t the kind of ce for people like you! Oh... I get it." His face lit up with feigned realization. "You came here to hook a rich guy, didn''t you? Ste, have you no shame? Barely divorced, and already hunting for your next target?" He raised his voice, making sure everyone could hear. "Security! This woman doesn''t have an invite-she''s crashed the auction! Get her out of here! With items this valuable, who knows what she might try to steal?"


    Several security guards, all ex-military by the looks of them, immediately marched


    over.


    Their faces were stony as one of them spoke up. "Who here doesn''t have an invitation?"


    Jasper jabbed a finger at Ste. "I know her! She has no business being at this auction. Throw her out-she''s up to no good!"


    At his word, the guards moved in, forming a tight circle around Ste.