Three dayster, the charity auction was in full swing.


    As soon as Reese got out of the car, she spotted Zach chatting with the host at the entrance. They looked like old friends,ughing together under the lights. Reese felt her nerves tighten, but she forced herself to push those feelings aside and walked straight into the hall.


    She didn''t realize that from the moment she arrived, Zach''s eyes had been following her every move.


    Suddenly, there was a stir at the entrance. A ck Bentley rolled up to the curb. Sebastian stepped out and, with just a nce, noticed Reese''s figure in the crowd.


    He raised his eyebrows, surprised.


    What was Reese doing here?


    He immediately sensed someone''s gaze on him. Turning, he caught Zach''s eyes -Zach nodded and shed a sly, knowing smile.


    Sebastian''s jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation running through him.


    Zach was here too?


    Did Reese show up tonight to see Zach?


    He knew all about the history between Reese and Zach.


    "Sebastian, what''s wrong?" Sofia had just stepped out of the car. Noticing his mood, she quietly hooked her arm through his, looking toward the hall but seeing nothing unusual.


    "It''s nothing," Sebastian said, slipping his arm away. "Remember our deal. I''ll win that ne for you, and you''ll make sure Mindwaveunches first with Ratcliff Global''s products."


    "Of course," Sofia replied. Her smile faded a little, and something bitter flickered in her eyes.


    Ever since what happened at the courtyard, Sebastian had grown cold toward her.


    She''d even heard from Brady that Sebastian was trying to track down where Reese was living, nning to bring her home to care for the baby.


    But then she remembered Robbie''s reaction that day, and a small, smug smile appeared.


    So what if Sebastian cared about Reese because of the baby?


    If something happened to the baby she was carrying, Sebastian would eventually go back to how he''d always treated her.


    Compared to Reese, she was more valuable to Ratcliff Global. Wasn''t that all that really mattered in the end?


    Just like tonight-she''d casually mentioned a ne at the auction, and Sebastian had dropped everything toe with her.


    As the auction was about to begin, guests filled the seats. Reese settled into a quiet corner, out of the way.


    She saw Zach helping Tara into a seat in the front row, and her anxiety only grew.


    When they were kids, Zach had seen her mother''s ne. He knew how much it meant to both of them.


    With the way he seemed to hate her now, would he try to outbid her just out of spite?


    Sebastian, sitting a few rows away, kept his eyes locked on Reese. He noticed, too, the way she looked toward Zach.


    He narrowed his gaze, his fingers tapping restlessly on the armrest.


    He hadn''t expected that after all these years, Reese still hadn''t moved on.


    He remembered bringing their son to try to persuade Reese toe home, only for her to shut him out.


    A wave of anger burned inside him.


    Was Reese thinking about getting back together with Zach now that he was back? Was that why she was working again, even though she was pregnant?


    "Thank you all so much for being here tonight," the auctioneer said, stepping onto the stage with a microphone. "Let''s kick things off with the first item."


    A staff member wheeled out a tall porcin vase.


    Sofia''s eyes lit up and she nudged Sebastian''s arm.


    "Sebastian, that vase would look great on your office bookshelf.”


    "What?" Sebastian was distracted, barely hearing her. “We agreed-just one thing tonight. Whatever you want."


    Sofia bit her lip. “I just think it''s pretty. I don''t actually want it."


    The auction moved on, item after item. Reese barely paid attention. She was only


    here for one thing: her mother''s ne. Nothing else mattered.


    Finally, the auctioneer announced, "Next up, a natural sapphire ne,


    tinum setting,plete with certificate of authenticity."


    Reese finally looked up at the stage.


    Starting bid: one million.


    Under the spotlight, the ne shimmered with a cold, elegant light. The sapphire pendant sparkled, exactly as she remembered it.


    She nced at Zach. He was leaning over, murmuring something to Tara, not even reaching for his paddle. She felt a wave of relief and got ready to make her bid, when a familiar voice called out.


    "One million."


    She turned. Sebastian was holding up his paddle, ncing down at Sofia. Reese''s heart dropped. She hadn''t expected Sebastian and Sofia to show up. And from the look on Sofia''s face, she wanted the ne, too.