She had just chosen a seat and settled in when, across from her, two stunning


    women in designer evening gowns took their ces. Eleanor instantly recognized them-both were well-known actresses.


    "Wasn''t Coco from Serenity Media the spokesperson for the Grayson Foundation? Howe it''s the pianist Vanessa now?"


    "Goodwin & Co. and the Grayson Foundation have always worked closely together. Changing spokespeople is as easy as making a phone call for them."


    "I''m so jealous!"


    "There''s no point in being jealous. From what I know, Vanessa''s been withn for years. He''s turned down every fling and rumor-he''s been loyal to her from the very beginning."


    "Really?"


    "I heard Shipley''spany booked the stadium first, but when his concert was postponed until August, they let Vanessa use the venue for her solo recital."


    "Even Shipley''s concerts can''tpete with her?"


    Eleanor paused at that. Shipley had been a superstar for a decade-practically a living legend.<fn4160> ?????? ???? find~novel</fn4160>


    Their assistants came over to invite the actresses to the banquet hall, and Eleanor followed suit.


    In the crowd, a stately woman in a couture gown was surrounded by guests, their eyes filled with admiration and respect. She was, unmistakably, the evening''s host Mrs. Juliette Grayson.


    With over ten years in phnthropy, Juliette had be a leading figure in charitable circles, and tonight, the city''s political and business elites had all turned out for her event.


    At that moment, the emcee stepped onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, we''ll now begin an hour-long charity auction. Please wee our host, Mrs. Grayson, to say a few words."


    Juliette took the stage, her presencemanding attention. With sincere eyes and a clear, resonant voice, she thanked the guests and exined the details of the auction before officially kicking off the evening''s bidding.


    Waiters had already arranged chairs for the guests to sit wherever they pleased. Eleanor and her group chose seats near the back, whilen and Vanessa were escorted to the front row.


    Jude Vaughn leaned over and whispered, "Ellie, do you want to go sit with Mr. Goodwin?"


    "No need," Eleanor replied quietly.


    Jude said nothing more. Everyone''s attention shifted to the auction as it began. The first item up for bid was an ancient vase-over a thousand years old and donated by Juliette herself.


    The starting bid was a million. With so many well-prepared guests present, the price shot up after just a few rounds before being imed by the highest bidder.


    Next came several valuable pieces of art, all snatched up amid enthusiastic bidding. The sixth item was soon disyed on the screen-a dazzling white diamond ne that sent a ripple of awe through the women in the room.


    "It''s gorgeous!" Gwenda eximed, eyes shining.


    Faye''s expression softened with admiration, and even Eleanor found her heart flutter at the sight.


    "This diamond ne is from Yarnton," the auctioneer announced. "It belonged to a queen in Yarnton''s history, set with 168 diamonds, totaling seventy-eight carats. The starting bid is four million."


    "Six million!" a wealthy matron called out, raising her paddle without hesitation. "Eight million!" another woman countered, unwilling to back down.


    "Ten million." A clear, elegant voice rang out. It was Vanessa, calmly raising her paddle.


    A spirited contest broke out among the socialites, but the price quickly soared past thirty million, with Vanessa making the final bid.


    Gasps and murmurs filled the hall, and several women nced at the man seated beside Vanessa. Realizing who he was, they quietly dropped out of the bidding- after all, it wasn''t wise topete with the wealthiest man in the country over a ne for his partner.


    In the end, the ne was Vanessa''s.


    Gwenda squeezed Faye''s arm in excitement. "Your sister is something else! Dropping thirty million on a ne-talk about making a statement!"


    Faye''s family was wealthy in their own right. She smiled serenely. "As long as she''s happy, there''ll always be someone eager to pick up the tab."


    The words reached Eleanor''s ears and, despite herself, left a faint sting.