When I dashed back to the auction hall, I bumped into Max, who was justing out of the VIP box.


    "What''s the rush?" He frowned slightly, ncing past me to where Kate was slowing down her pace after spotting Max.


    I subtly hid the ck credit card behind my back, not wanting Max to see.


    After all, it was a childish act, but inexplicably amusing. Teasing Kate always seemed to lighten my mood.


    "ire, who''s this?"


    Kate approached, maintaining her sophisticated demeanor, though her gaze lingered on Max. In my previous life, I remembered she had a thing for good-looking guys.


    She once said she liked ude because there was no man more attractive, but she hadn''t met Max in that life.


    This time, when she saw Max, the longing in her gaze said everything.


    Compared to ude, Max exuded a mature and dignified air, as if reaching heights ude could never dream of.


    "Ah, he''s my mentor," I blurted out, instinctively shielding Max from her view. Knowing Kate''s ruthless nature and herck of scruples, I was still in the dark about who backed her.


    Kate reached out for a handshake with Max, but he ignored her, turning to me instead. "Didn''t find anything to your liking at the auction today?"


    I shook my head. "I was only focused on the final item."


    Kate''s face fell. "ire, I''ve told ude I wanted that crown for my wedding headpiece. No matter the cost, ude would bid for it."


    I nodded, pretending to be distressed. "If you like it, I won''tpete with you for it."


    Seeing my expression, Max actually smirked. I felt uneasy, as if he saw right through my act.


    "If it''s yours, no one can take it away. Be at the hospital early tomorrow; there''s a surgery you can observe."


    Max walked away without giving Kate another nce.


    Not staying for the final bid?


    "ire Floyd, nning to y both sides? Your teacher seems first-rate. Whypete with me for ude? You know he only sees you as a sister." N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    I looked away, scoffing.


    "Just for fun."


    Bu


    Because I want you to suffer, to feel every bit of pain I endured in my past life. "I''ll make ude see your true colors," Kate dered before sitting beside ude.


    This time, chose a seat away from them, watching the auction unfold. ude nced back at me; I waved. He frowned but didn''t join


    The final auction began.


    "The starting bid for this crown is 60 million."


    MOUMS


    The crowd buzzed. "This final piece is no small fry, starting at 60 million."


    "Indeed. Rumor has it, it belonged to a queen."


    "70 million," Kate bid first, ncing back at me with a smirk that said, "You can''t beat me."


    I smiled faintly, holding the ck card. Would ude bid for her sake?


    If so, I couldn''t be soft-hearted this.


    life, not even if ude hadn''t meant to harm me in my past life. Heel


    yed a pivotal role.


    If he didn''t go for the card this time, I wanted to see what he truly felt for me.


    Why waste more time on him? Perhaps I was just clinging to hope, seeking a closure for the years I spent loving him.