Chapter 109 What Do You Think?
No way. I must be seeing things. How could a nobody like Tess actually be here?
Thankfully, reason held Nadine back. She clenched her fists tightly, sitting stiffly near the back center.
Then a familiar figure took a seat.
Nadine’s eyes locked onto him immediately.
Is that… Finn?
Her lips parted slightly as she watched Finn settle calmly into the left side of the center seat, with Max on the right.
Relieved it wasn’t Finn with Tess, she looked again at the two shadowed figures in the corner.
Their faces were mostly hidden, with just faint outlines showing. Though the woman looked a lot like Tess, Nadine quickly looked
away.
Tess is basically unknown in all of Aetheris-only Finn and Max really know who she is. So it’s impossible for her to be sitting with another respected figure.
Still, she’s the only woman in the front row!
Nadine’s pride at Tess’s absence quickly turned into a flicker of jealousy sparked by that woman in the corner.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is about to begin!”
The gavel struck, and the grand hall brightened, light reaching even the corner where Tess sat.
Tess froze, still bent over, softly soothing La.
The side of her face came into view, making Nadine’s pupils shrink.
It really is Tess!
Her breath caught, eyes fixed on that familiar profile.
Why is she here? What right does she have to be here?!
Nadine’s mind spun with fury, her face darkening.
Her gaze snapped to the man beside Tess.
Who is he? Why is Tess with him?
Questions crashed through Nadine’s thoughts, her chest tightening with a jealousy so strong she almost felt faint.
But since she sat high above, her agitation stayed unnoticed below.
Finn calmly listened to the introductions overhead. He unlocked his phone and saw a message from Abel.
It’s someone he’s been searching for for a long time?
Finn’s expression shifted subtly, his brow furrowing.
A rare hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes.
What kind of woman would make Abel so obsessed that he’d search all over Aetheris for her?
Finn stroked his chin, calm andposed.
At that moment, Zane spotted Abel and pointed him out. “Mr. Lock, isn’t that Mr. Shaw over there?”
Finn nced toward the corner and saw Abel, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.
But then…
Finn’s eyes narrowed, locking on the figure beside Abel.
He was tall and lean, dressed in a sharply tailored white suit that mostly hid the woman at his side.
Only a glimpse of her pale pink, floor-length dress and the baby cradled in her arms was visible.
Finn’s gaze darkened.
What kind of woman with a kid would have Abel’s full attention?
His eyes showed a hint of confusion, but as he watched their whispered exchanges, an odd feeling stirred inside him.
Though years had passed since he’d seen his nephew, Finn knew Abel usually favored dark colors like ck or navy.
I’ve never seen him wear pure white. Besides…
Finn’s eyes caught Abel’s tie.
The sparkling pink diamond matched the woman beside him perfectly.
A tant couples’ style.
Finn’s gaze flickered before returning to the woman.
Just then, she lowered her head, tilting her ear to catch Abel’s words, stretching her graceful neck.
Even with strands of hair softly framing her face, her elegant profile was unmistakable.
Finn’s eyes widened, fixed on their gentle smiles and quietughter.
Maybe sensing the stare, Abel instinctively turned and met Finn’s shocked gaze.
Abel blinked, then looked again to see that Finn’s eyes had returned to normal, though now colder and more unsettling.
Still, tied by family, Abel gave a polite nod first.
Finn pressed his lips tightly but said nothing, staring steadily at Tess.
Abel seemed puzzled but quickly pulled out his phone and sent Finn a message.
??
“What do you think? My date’s pretty, right?”
Finn felt his phone vibrate and unlocked it. The message made his vision briefly darken.
He looked up coldly just as Abel turned away, smiling fondly and whispering to Tess. <fn247b> This update is avable on fι?dnοvel</fn247b>
A wave of frustration surged through Finn, veins at his temples twitching wildly.