Ste had asked Neville for a favor and managed to get a few tickets to the uing auction.


    This auction was nothing special-it was easy enough to get in, and most of the items up for bid were calligraphy and paintings. Nothing like thest time, when the auction was full of rare and exotic treasures.


    This time, along with Ste, Abby, and Neville, even Antoney, Candida, and Joshua hade along for the experience. Candida, who had never attended an auction before, was practically buzzing with excitement.


    Antoney, seated to Ste''s left, leaned in. "Star, is your painting really going up for auction tonight?”


    Ste nodded. "I''m pretty sure it is."


    Abby''s voice was tinged with guilt. "Star, I''m sorry. If it weren''t for me needing to raise money, you wouldn''t have had to sell your painting."


    Back at Neo-Vespera University, Ste had majored in music and minored in art. Her musical talent was undeniable, but she was just as gifted with a paintbrush. Nora had raised her to be a realdy-music, chess, painting, literature-Ste excelled at them all. Her calligraphy was remarkable, too.


    It helped that the university offered painting as a minor. Ste had chosen it, more to nurture her soul than as a career path.


    Ste smiled. "Honestly, if I hadn''t sold my paintings, I never would have realized they were actually worth anything."


    By now, Neville seemed to have pieced together the whole story. He nced at Ste, a strange light in his eyes. "I did a little digging. Turns out, your paintings are each worth at least a million dors on the market right now."


    Years ago, when Abby''s family fell on hard times and needed money urgently, Ste and Antoney had given her all the savings they had, leaving themselves just enough to get by. As an art student, living in Solmaris wasn''t cheap. Ste had cut ties with the Williams family and was renting a ce on her own. Without more money soon, she wouldn''t havested long.


    To keep things afloat, she''d decided to sell her paintings. She didn''t have many- just five she considered good enough to show the world. Most of her time was spent on music, and painting was more of a personal escape.


    She''d been amazed when her first piece sold for over ten thousand dors.


    Antoney, a broke student himself, had also scraped together every penny to help Abby, making his own situation pretty tight. So, one by one, Ste Sold all her paintings, just enough to keep herself and Antoney afloat.


    After graduation, Abby paid them back. Ste used the money to buy her own apartment, with a decent sum left over for emergencies.


    Abby had never forgotten their kindness. She was always there for Ste when she needed support, and when Antoney wanted to strike out on his own, Abby helped him find a studio and took care of the O renovations.


    When Neville revealed the value of Ste''s paintings, all three-Ste, Abby, and Antoney-turned to him in shock.


    Abby swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Connolly, did you say Star''s paintings are worth how much?"


    Neville''s deep voice was calm. "At least a million dors each."


    They stared at each other, stunned.


    Antoney asked, "How is that possible? I remember the highest price you got back then was maybe fifteen thousand."


    Abby groaned. "Oh my god, we lost out on so much money. That hurts!"


    Ste was just as surprised. "If I''d known my paintings were worth that much, maybe I''d have be a professional artist."


    Neville smiled. "Your paintings are incredibly rare-only five have ever surfaced, and that kind of scarcity makes them valuable. But more than that...He paused, his gaze lingering on Ste. "Your style is truly unique. And since you haven''t released anything new in years, many collectors think these works are your swan song."