Earlier, Abby and Antoney had still felt a touch of resentment.


    Their loyaltiesy with Ste-they were willing to pool together ten million to stand up for her.


    But to spend thirty million just to buy a painting...


    Calling it foolish would be an understatement. It was downright senseless.


    If Sellers and his group ended up paying thirty million for the painting, that would actually feel like justice.


    Just as everyone thought the bidding would end there, a sudden voice rang out from the back of the hall.


    "Fifty million!"


    A collective gasp swept through the room as every head snapped toward the bidder.


    It was a young man in his twenties, unremarkable in appearance, blending easily into the crowd.


    The auctioneer stammered, "Sir-are you sure... did you mean that amount?"


    The young man smiled politely. "My employer is very fond of this painting. He instructed me to buy it at any price."


    He nced over at Sellers. "Mr. Burton, would you like to make another bid?"


    Sellers had always been willing to spend extravagantly for Aurora.


    After all, if he had anything in abundance, it was money.


    But thirty million was already pushing the limit for a painting like this.


    To go beyond fifty million? That would be madness.


    Sellers shook his head and gave a thin smile. "If your employer loves the painting that much, then I won''t stand in the way."


    Whoever could throw around that kind of money for a single painting clearly came from a family no less powerful than the Burtons.


    Sellers asked, "May I ask who your employer is?"


    The young man''s smile remained unchanged as he declined, "Sorry, Mr. Burton.


    My employer prefers to remain anonymous."


    With that, Sellers let the matter drop. So, Ste''s "Midnight" was sold to a mysterious buyer for a staggering fifty million.


    A few more valuable antique paintings went up for auction afterward, but no one really cared.


    All eyes—and spection-remained fixed on the mysterious gentleman who had just shaken the room.


    Prices for the remaining lots fell t. The atmosphere grew strange, and eventually, the auction ended on that unsettled note.


    As Ste and her friends were leaving, they bumped into Sellers and his entourage at the entrance.


    Sellers gave her a look-a sly, mocking half-smile.


    "Well yed, Ste. Very well yed."


    The scandal involving Sellers had


    alreaept through the entire


    auction. Ste had heard


    She knew Sellers held her responsible for all of it.


    But she didn''t care. She simply smiled, calm andposed.


    "Thank you for thepliment."


    Sellers gazed at her with eyes cold as a grave.


    "Don''t think that just because the old man''s protecting you, I can''t touch you.


    You''ll pay for everything you did today."


    Ste met his eyes, utterly unafraid. "Fine. I''ll be waiting."


    With nothing more to say, she turned and led Abby and the others out.


    After Ste left, Simone turned to Aurora.


    "So, Aurora, that''s your half-sister?"


    Aurora nodded.


    Simone grinned. "She''s certainly pretty-


    get


    es vedefinitely has reason to be


    Shame about the attitude, though."


    Sherman snorted. "Her pridee


    doesn''t


    Trom her looks. She''s gotne.


    people backing her up, that''s all.


    Gontent belongs to swsn''t


    You should''ve seen her when she first came back to the Williams family-so timid


    and careful.


    Now that she''s found herself a protector, she even dares to cross Uncle Sellers.


    She''s just using the old man''s favoritism to act out, that''s all."


    Not long ago, Sellers had given Sherman a quick rundown of the conflict with Ste.


    Sherman hadn''t expected Ste to be so bold.


    She''d even dared to go up against his uncle.


    But, thinking about it, maybe it wasn''t so surprising after all.