?Chapter 99:


    Upon hearing Kaiden’s words, Ellie paused, momentarily taken aback. Then, it dawned on her that he was referring to her nearly losing her temper in front of Demi just now. She hadn’t yet decided how to respond.


    In that earlier encounter, whatever she might have said would have been to her disadvantage. The focus had shifted to her, an outsider, used of usurping Demi’s life. Demi, as the legitimate Gordon heiress, naturally held the upper hand.


    Kaiden stepping in had been a reprieve for Ellie.


    She looked at him and murmured quietly, “Thank you.”


    She was also grateful he hadn’t publicly embarrassed her that night at the club before so many eyes.


    Kaiden merely snorted in response.


    Thanking him? Her gratitude seemed an afterthought to him.


    He often thought of Ellie as a proud, slightly spoiled kitten. He felt an urge to tousle her hair but restrained himself.


    Erick, sitting three seats away, watched Ellie and Kaiden’s disy of closeness with growing annoyance.


    “Ellie, this auction is quite upscale. If money’s tight, I could lend you some, for Demi’s sake,” he offered, his toneced with mockery and self-righteousness.


    Hisment was a double-edged sword: belittling Ellie and Kaiden’s financial situation while positioning himself as Demi’s considerate boyfriend.


    He purposefully omitted mentioning Kaiden, knowing that Kaiden’s legitimate lineage as a Thorpe family member could overshadow him.


    Demi, irked by Erick’s direct engagement with Ellie, felt a twisted sense of satisfaction from his words. She gave Ellie a provocative look, then told Erick, “If she can’t afford it, she shouldn’t be here. Lending her money would only make things worse for her.”


    “Lend me money?” Ellieughed, taking the crowd by surprise. “I almost thought he was generously offering me money.”


    Your favorite stories are on g?lnσνe??s?c?m


    “Oh, burn!” Laughter erupted from someone nearby.


    Indeed, Erick’s manner had implied generosity rather than a loan.


    “Expecting someone with a partner to foot your bill, Ellie?” Demi snapped back.


    Then, Ellie felt something being pressed into her hand… It was an auction paddle.


    Without acknowledging Demi and Erick, she tried to hand it back to Kaiden. “I don’t have the means for this.”


    Kaiden arched an eyebrow. “Would I let my wife pay for herself?” His use of “wife” left Ellie momentarily speechless.


    What was he thinking?


    Ignoring the term, she asked, “You’re giving me the paddle. Does this mean I can spend as I wish?”


    Kaiden responded calmly, “Go ahead.” Money was the least of his concerns.


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