BookToReadChapter 97 After trying every argument and pleading with Victoria, Gwyneth finally realized she wasn't coming home. With a heavy heart, she hung up the phone, giving up hope.
The next day, Yasmine was sent on an assignment to the auction house.
She couldn't understand why Ms. Turner and Mr. Miller-who were clearly at odds, practically sworn enemies would send her here to pick out a gift, supposedly for Simms' mother, Janice Miller.
The auction was a gathering of the city's elite, but Yasmine, a nobody in these circles, could only find a quiet spot in the corner and keep a low profile.
Just before the event began, a commotion at the entrance drew everyone's attention.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtViolet swept in on McNeil's arm, walking with such poised grace that every head turned as they entered the hall.
For the past few weeks, Violet had dominated every trending topic in Starfall City. The first love of the Langford Group's CEO had made a tic return-a romance that seemed to transcend titself. Rumors abounded: Was she the long-lost mother of the Langford family's youngest daughter? Speculation was endless, but not a single word involved Victoria.
Even at the Quantum Core Technologies' gala, packed with major players, a photo had surfaced of Victoria standing beside Curtis. Yet since no one recognized her, the media had simply edited her out of the shot.
It was Ailie who noticed the omission-Victoria herself couldn't have cared less.
Once everyone found their seats, the auction officially began.
Yasmine kept her eyes peeled, watching Violet and McNeil closely while listening for the auctioneer to announce the items up for bidding.
She was waiting for the lot Victoria had instructed her to watch for a pair of jade rings from the Victorian era. As the first item cup, bidding cards shot into the air from eager guests, but Violet and McNeil remained still and silent.
It wasn't until the fifth item-a seemingly ordinary pair of pearl earrings, with a starting bid of a million-that Yasmine noticed any movement. She glanced at McNeil and Violet just in tto see Violet lean in and whisper something to him. McNeil raised his paddle.
"Five million." Yasmine's eyes widened in disbelief. Five million for that? What on earth could be so special about a pair of pearl earrings? Someone in the crowd seemed ready to counter, but the auctioneer cut them off with a distinct "sold" gesture, drawing gasps from the room.
In other words, if anyone else made an offer, McNeil would simply outbid them- no contest. Those earrings were as good as Violet's, a clear gesture to win her favor, and no one dared compete.
Yasmine couldn't stand it and recorded the scene on her phone, sending the video straight to Victoria.
At that moment, Victoria was in the car with her team, heading to the Marcus estate, coordinating with Lyndon.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe scrolled through the video Yasmine had sent. Watching McNeil and Violet so close, she couldn't help but think back-after all these years of marriage, McNeil had never once spoken to her with such gentle affection.
"What did they buy?" Victoria asked absently.
"Just a pair of pearl earrings so far," Yasmine replied, expecting Victoria to say more. But that was it. Her only instruction was to keep an eye on McNeil's purchases and report back in real time.
Yasmine's adrenaline was pumping. Ms. Turner must be after proof that Mr. Langford was buying giftsför another woman. The divorce wasn't finalized yet; if Victoria caught McNeil in the act today, she'd have ironclad evidence for court. The case would be hers to win. Determined, Yasmine kept her phone trained on McNeil and Violet, not missing a beat.
"Is something up?" Lyndon asked, his voice icy as he noticed Victoria glued to her phone.
"No, nothing at all," Victoria replied quickly, tucking her phone away and sitting up straight.
Back at the auction, they still hadn't reached the item Victoria wanted. The auctioneer now presented a landscape oil painting.
This time, it was Violet who raised her paddle-her bid: fifty million The auctioneer made the sdecisive gesture, and the room fell silent. "Isn't that a bit much?" someone whispered.
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