Aria froze for two seconds, frowning.
“Are you kidding me?“[]
“Vera’s the one who won all that stuff. She should be the one paying.“]]
“Miss Sterling, here’s the thing–“[|
“Did Vera buy you off? What kind of dirty deal do you two have going on?“]
Aria cut off the auctioneer, her tone dripping with sarcasm and suspicion.[]
So when Vera whispered in your ear earlier, she was offering to prostitute herself!“[]
The other bidders started buzzing.<b>[] </b>
“Vera’s supposed to be respectable in this city, but she’s making us all look bad.<b>“</b>[]
“Who knew someone so innocent–looking could be such a slut underneath.“[]
The auctioneer was speechless at their stupidity.
But Aria thought she’d found a smoking gun<b>, </b>covering her mouth as she fake–apologized to Damien:
“Mr. Thorne, please don’t believe it! Vera would never be willing to prostitute herself!<b>“</b><b>]</b><b>] </b>
“She must have some good reason…“]
Before Aria could finish her dramatic performance, Damien cut her off with a stern expression.]
<b>“</b>I know she wouldn’t<b>.</b><b>” </b>
I looked at him with some surprise–the only person speaking up for me.]]
Even though he’d be my ex–husband just an hour ago.
“What?!” Aria let out a confused sound.]]
But realizing her persona, she immediately teared up again.
“Mr. Thorne, sorry, that’s not what <b>I </b>meant…“]
Aria frantically tried to backtrack, but Damien covered her mouth with his hand.[]
“Don’t apologize. I like your smile,<b>” </b>
Aria rxed, sticking out her tongue to lick his palm.[]
Pura Lnddu<b>? </b>The <b>Whave </b><b>the </b>Mahai <b>Hi</b>? <b>Enter </b>Your Delle <b>Sanimated </b>
<b>817</b>%
Damien’s hand trembled, his fingers digging deeper into her cheek.
Watching their shameless flirting, I took a deep breath and looked away.[]
“Everyone quiet down!“[]
The auctioneer pped his hands, pointing to where Aria had been sitting.]
“That seat is the auction house’s premium package. Whoever sits there volunteers to pay for all the evening’s items.”
“Let’s congratte Miss Sterling for her generous heart–she’s picked up everyone’s tab!“]
“Miss Sterling’s so generous!“]
Cheers erupted from the crowd.]]
“Miss Sterling’s got some serious hidden wealth<b>!</b><b>“</b>]
“Wow<b>, </b>Miss Sterling’s not just beautiful–she’s got a beautiful heart too!“[]
With everyone singing her praises, Aria tried to stayposed as she told the auctioneer:[]
“That’s not my seat. Vera was sitting there first.”
“You should be asking her to pay. You’ve got the wrong person.“]]
“Miss Sterling, didn’t you just tell me <b>I </b>couldn’t handle my position and should give it up?“]
<b>I </b>smiled sweetly at her, my voice dripping with mockery.[]
“Now that I’ve given it to you, why aren’t you happy about it?<b>” </b>
“You-“]}
Aria’s face contorted for a moment before she threw herself into Damien’s arms, tears flowing like water.
“Mr. Thorne, I never said any of that! Vera’s just jealous that you like me, so she’s framing me and setting me up.“]
She lifted her tear–filled eyes. “You have to get justice for me!“]
“With me here, nobody can touch you.“]
?
Damien wiped away her tears, his eyes soft with sickening tenderness.
But when he looked at me, those same eyes turned frighteningly cold.]
“Vera, are you done with this tantrum?“]
<b>“</b>Apologize to Aria, and I’ll let everything else slide.”
“Why the hell should I apologize?<b>” </b>I shot back.]
Pure Fricialybin? Then Wave the ATOTIE <b>? </b>Yre Your Malk
19.04<i>. </i>
“If she can’t handle the game, she shouldn’t y. But don’te crying to your man when things go south.“[]
My words were sharp, and Damien’s face immediately darkened like a storm cloud.]
“Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t care about your personal drama, but this venue has rules.“[]
“If you sit in that seat, you pay the seven hundred million auction bill. Handle your personal grudges on your own time.“[]
Though the auctioneer spoke with a smile, the warning was crystal clear.]
But seven hundred million–that could buy half of Thorne Corp!]
Aria’s face crumpled. “I don’t have that kind of money!“]]
I smiled and tapped Aria’s bank card.[]
Didn’t Damien give you half of Thorne Corp’s shares? Seven hundred million should be pocket change for you.“]
“NO WAY! That’s my money!“]
Aria clutched her hard–won card protectively, backing away in fear.[]
The atmosphere grew tense as the auctioneer’s gaze wanderedzily around the room.]
Suddenly spotting something<b>, </b>his casual posture immediately straightened.[]
“Mr. Quinn! What brings you here?“]
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