Chapter 111 A Battle Between Titans


    Nadine waited anxiously but didn’t get an answer, so she shot a frustrated nce at Tess.


    The short break ended, and the auctioneer’s sharp gavel strike echoed through the hall, bringing everyone back to silence.


    “Ladies and gentlemen, up next is a century-old pearl ne.”


    As the announcer finished, the red velvet cloth was pulled away, revealing a strand of pearls with a ssic, aged shine.


    Though the pearls still held their timeless glow, they looked oddly inpared to the fancy disy and luxurious surroundings.


    A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.


    “A simple piece at an auction like this?”


    “Yeah, are they trying to waste our time?”


    “Who picked this? Their taste is off.”


    Sneers and hushed insults filled the air, dripping with disappointment.


    Unlike the usual indifferent crowd, Tess widened her eyes in shock as she stared at the ne.


    Her clear, bright eyes shimmered with tears ready to fall.


    Her whole body stiffened, her face tight with emotion-a look that caught Abel’s attention. He nced at the ne but just saw an ordinary string of pearls.


    Confused, Abel leaned toward Tess and quietly asked, “Do you like it?”


    Before he could say more, her hand reached up and took his.


    Abel froze, feeling like he was floating, his head lifting to meet her tear-filled, reddened eyes.


    Holding back sobs, she whispered desperately, “It belonged to my grandma. I don’t know how it ended up here. Please help me. I


    have to win this.”


    “But…”


    She looked around helplessly, lips pressed tight, conflicted. “I didn’t bring any money. Abel, please help me. I’ll pay you back little by little.”


    Abel’s heart ached seeing her like that. Feeling the softness of her hand in his, he squeezed gently, wrapping her fingers protectively.


    His voice lowered to a soft murmur, sweet like honey but firm and sure. “Don’t worry. If you want it, I’ll get it for you, no matter the price.”


    Moved, Tess looked up and nodded firmly. “Thank you.”


    Abel shook his head with a gentle smile. “It’s no big deal. Anything you want.”


    His words, barely more than a whisper, they fluttered around her ear.


    A faint blush colored Tess’s cheeks.


    She quickly looked away and turned her eyes forward again.


    ? ? ? ? ?? ? ?


    After a short introduction, the crowd stayed unimpressed.


    That was until the auctioneer added, “This is a rare piece by master jeweler Gillian Larson-almost never seen for sale.”


    At those words, interest finally sparked in the audience’s eyes. <fn2643> This content belongs to f?ndnovel</fn2643>


    “Mrs. Larson’s own work? That’s definitely a treasure.”


    “Looking again, the pearls are simple but full of charm-just like Mrs. Larson herself.”


    The mood shifted instantly among the guests.


    Tess’s heart raced, and she nervously nced at the people speaking, dread rising as the bidding began.


    The auctioneer’s gavel struck once more.


    “Starting bid: one million.”


    “One and a half million!”


    “Two million!”


    Though not as wild as some lots, bids came steadily and without pause.


    “Two and a half million!”


    “Ten million!”


    The jump to nearly five times the starting price stunned the room. All eyes turned to the bidder.


    Abel’s long fingers raised the paddle, his voice dropping the number “ten million” like it was nothing.


    At the same time, Finn noticed the bid.


    But just a momentter, his eyes shifted to Tess.


    Abel couldn’t be interested in the ne for himself. So the only reason…


    “Finn, that’s Tess’s grandma’s heirloom,” Nadine said at just the right time, her gaze nk as she looked up.


    Suddenly, she seemed to snap out of it and shook Finn’s arm.


    Her eyes begged, “Finn, can you win it for me? She’s my grandma in name too. I don’t want her things scattered around.”


    Finn paused, lowering his gaze as he took in Nadine’s pleading face.


    Her desperation strangely matched the tension in Tess’s clenched hands.


    Something stirred inside Finn.


    He raised his paddle. “Twenty million.”


    A sharp intake of breath swept the room.


    Everyone’s eyes flicked between the center row and the corners.


    This bidding was like a battle between titans.


    Finn’s low, familiar voice echoed clearly in Tess’s ears.


    She froze solid.


    Finn?


    Is he actually here?


    Her eyes betrayed her panic as she looked toward the center row.


    Finn sat not far from her.


    Across the distance, she could make out the sharp lines of his jaw, his face cold and unforgiving.