Chapter 1346:


    When he finally spoke again, his voice barely rose above the quiet creak of wheels. “Chris asked me to tell you that. He wanted me to look after you.”


    Laurence’s gaze drifted somewhere distant. After a long silence, words emerged slowly. “I thought Chris had grown up by now… I miss them—their whole family. Nic hasn’te to see me in so long.”


    Chris felt heat prick behind his eyes and a sting climbing into his nose.


    Tilting his head back slightly, he spoke in a voice that threatened to break. “They miss you too.”


    Below the stage, restlessness rippled through the crowd. Nearly everyone had caught the exchange between Kiley and Maia. Murmurs rose like steam.


    “What are these three things she’s asking for? Why won’t Kiley just say it outright? She loves her mysteries.”


    “Maia’s designs sell for fortunes. Did she really agree that easily?”


    “This feels staged. I’m half-convinced they rehearsed the whole thing.”


    “Is Maia actually going to hand over whatever Kiley demands? Just like that?”


    “Wait—should I be buying Cooper Group stock right now? Have I already missed the window?”


    On stage, Maia watched Chris guide Laurence through the banquet hall doors. Only then did she turn back to Kiley. “We can move forward now.”


    Kiley seemed to collect herself, as if returning from distant thoughts. A smile touched her lips as she stepped closer.


    “Feeling better?” She lowered her voice, turning her microphone aside, and added something meant only for Maia’s ears. “Just don’te crying to me when the auction starts.”


    At that moment, Maia let out a faint, bitter smile.


    Kiley, with her theatrical manner, truly had the temperament of a performer—though her acting wasn’t terrible, Maia could see only the ws.


    “I meant what I said, and I don’t take any of it back,” Maia stated firmly.


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    Looking quite satisfied, Kiley faced the audience beneath the stage. She smiled as she lifted her microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, I just shared a small secret with Ms. Watson. Honestly, I never expected her dedication to charity to run so deep.”


    She paused, then turned toward the host with a polite nod. “We can start now.”


    To the guests watching below, however, it appeared as if the two had spent their whispered conversation finalizing the auction items. None realized this was all part of Kiley’s setup.


    As Maia nced at Kiley, intending to ask about the three items, she noticed her microphone had suddenly stopped working.


    Before she could address the issue, the host immediately spoke to the crowd, leaving her no opportunity to intervene. “Everyone, the auction will now begin. Here are the rules: this is a charity auction, so each item starts at a minimum of five million dors. Every bid must increase by at least one million, with no upper limit!”


    His voice rose with excitement. “Let the auction begin!”


    The announcement prompted a wave of chatter.


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