Chapter 17
The auctioneer stood center stage, radiating energy as he introduced the latest masterpiece by Ella Saya. The gown was adorned with hundreds of dazzling diamonds, large and small, creating a shimmering effect reminiscent of a flowing galaxy, The highlight was the sunflower embellishment on its strap – a bold, fiery red diamond at its heart.
Red diamonds, among the rarest gems on Earth, account for a mere 0.01% of all colored diamonds. Their scarcity has made them the crown jewel of the diamond market, with even a single carat commanding millions. This particular diamond, weighing several carats, was worth a fortune by itself. Paired with Ella Saya’s unparalleled craftsmanship, the gown was a once–in–a–lifetime collector’s treasure.
The bidding began at a jaw–dropping fifteen million.
Rhea’s mouth fell open as the starting price echoed through the hall. Her mind reeled at the sheer absurdity of it all.
Any fleeting fantasy of owning the dress vanished on the spot. For starters, Rhea hated red now. And then there was Matthew
tight–fisted Matthew, who wouldn’t even consider spending a few million, let alone this kind of fortune.
As the auction heated up, the price climbed at a dizzying pace, eventually approaching sixty million.
Just as the atmosphere reached a fever pitch, Matthew calmly raised his paddle. “Sixty million”
Rhea froze, staring at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Matthew?”
For a brief, bittersweet moment, her heart swelled. She thought Matthew was bidding for her. Tears of disbelief and gratitude prickled her eyes.
But something about Matthew’s detached demeanor felt wrong. He hadn’t so much as glanced her way.
A cold realization crept over Rhea. He knows I hate red. So, this is for. The answer hit Rhea like a punch to the gut. Mabel,
The thought burned in Rhea’s mind, but one look at Matthew’s expression left no room for doubt. Matthew’s usual indifference had given way to a look of fierce resolve, his eyes fixed on the gown as though it were a trophy he couldn’t afford to lose.
Rhea’s chest tightened, fury rising. He wouldn’t spend a dime on her without a debate, yet here he was, throwing around sixty million without hesitation for Mabel
Are you kidding? What am I to him then? An easy and free lay? Rhea thought to herself.
Meanwhile, in the VIP suite above, Oscar’s eyes lingered on the glittering gown below.
Though fashion wasn’t his forte, he could admit that the dress seemed to be made for Mabel.
He turned to her, his voice soft. “Maybelle, do you like it?”
Mabel’s gaze remained fixed on the gown as she gave a small, reserved nod.
“It’s stunning, but… sixty million? That’s absurd,” she replied.
Before she could say another word, Oscar leaned forward and pressed the bidding button without the slightest hesitation.
“Six hundred million, came the calm, commanding voice from the second floor.
His voice was low and magnetic, and he spoke of sixty hundred million as effortlessly as if it were merely six dollars.
Chapter 17
nu, Dec 12
The entire hall went silent, spunned by the staggering jump. Clasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.
Mabel whipped her head toward him, her expression a mix of disbelief and panic. “Oscar… that’s crazy!”
59%)
Oscar’s hand reached out, tousling her hair with an easy affection. His voice remained steady, his confidence unwavering. “I know you like it, and that’s all that matters.”
Hearing the astronomical bid. Matthew’s face twisted with frustration. Moments ago, he had been so sure of his chances. confident that the gown was as good as his. But with the mysterious bidder upstairs casually raising the stakes too high, and his plans crumbled.
No amount of maneuvering short of selling everything he owned- would let him match that sum. This wasn’t just about a dress anymore; it was a direct blow to his ego. Whoever that bidder was, he or she had humiliated him in front of everyone.
Rhea, meanwhile, wore a sly grin. She hadhi’t won anything tonight, but the thought of Matthew losing that red dress for Mabel was pure satisfaction.
If Matthew had actually spent sixty million on a dress for Mabel Rhea might’ve died of embarrassment
But now? The bitter taste of defeat wasn’t hers alone – Matthew had to swallow it too.
The room buzzed with chatter about the mysterious bidder. Whispers swept through the crowd, speculation running wild. Who had the audacity – and the wallet – to casually drop six hundred million dollars on a gown? Even Rhea felt curious. Tonight had exposed her to a world so far beyond her imagination. Still, try as she might, she couldn’t see much from her vantage point – just a pair of indistinct shadows behind the frosted glass of the VIP section.
When pressed for answers, the auction staff remained maddeningly tight–lipped. “No comment,” they repeated with unwavering politeness, no matter who asked.
In the end. Rhea and Matthew left the auction with nothing to show for it. The evening had been a complete waste- or at least, that’s how Matthew saw it.
As they walked out into the cool night air, Rhea couldn’t resist stirring the pot. “Come on, Matthew, admit it,” Rhea teased, her tone light but edged with suspicion. “You were planning to buy that dress for Mabel, weren’t you? Just say it – I won’t get mad.”
Matthew scowled, irritated by both the evening’s outcome and her prying. But since he hadn’t actually won the dress, he didn’t
‘t see any harm in lying “Of course not,” Matthew said flatly, I thought the red diamond was a smart investment, that’s
all.
To some degree, he wasn’t lying. Rare diamonds were as close toa sure thing as investments came, and red diamonds, being nearly impossible to find, were the cream of the crop. A gem like that could only grow in value. If he’d won, he could have held onto it or sold it later for a hefty profit.
Rhea, however, wasn’t buying it. She folded her arms, her lips curving into a pout. “Liar,” she accused. “You didn’t think about me at all. Don’t pretend otherwise. The second you saw that gorgeous gown, you thought of HER, didn’t you? Admit it – you think Mabel’s prettier than me. I’ll never be as good as her in your eyes.”
Her words grated on Matthew’s nerves. She had been nugging about this same insecurity for weeks, and after the frustration of losing the bid, his patience finally snapped.
Matthew was already simmering with irritation, and Rhea’s relentless prodding was the final spark that lit the fuse. His patience snapped, and he decided there was no point in holding back anymore. “You’re right. I was planning to buy it for Mabel. She 15 beautiful, and she’s my fiancee, Rheal What’s wrong with wanting to spoil her a little? You’re the one who said you wouldn’t come between us. Or did you forget that part?”
Rhea froze, his words hitting her like a slap.
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Chapter 17
Dec
She had told him that once, but that didn’t mean she wanted to hear him say it.
Sure, she could talk about not measuring up to Mabel, but Matthew? He wasn’t supposed to agree with her.
Rhea’s chest tightened, anger and hurt tangling together. “I hate you!” she choked out, her voice trembling.
Without waiting for a response. Rhea spun on her heel and stormed off.
When Rhea stumbled through the door, her face streaked with tears, Beatrice greeted her with an eager smile. She’d been waiting to hear how Rhea’s evening with Matthew had gone. But instead of gushing about romantic moments, Rhea collapsed into Beatrice’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Alarmed. Beatrice held her close and stroked her hair. “What happened, sweetheart? Tell me.” Between gasping cries, Rhea poured out her frustrations, her words tumbling over each other “It’s Mabel, it’s always her! She’s ruining everything between me and Matthew. He doesn’t even care about me now he only thinks about her. Mom, why is it that she gets to be with the man she loves, and L.. I don’t? Is it because I’m not good enough?”
Beatrice sighed deeply, her heart aching. Matthew and Mabel hall a history that spanned years, a bond that Rhea, despite all her efforts, could never fully break. Rhea had just returned to the Harper family. To Matthew, Rhea was like an outsider, who was trying to force her way into a story that had already been written.
Pulling Rhea closer, Beatrice whispered soothing words, trying to console her. “Don’t think that way, darling. Matthew just needs time. One day, he’ll realize how special you are. Trust me
As they hugged and wept, the sound of the front door opening broke the moment.
Mabel strode in, her heels clicking against the floor. She paused at the sight of them but quickly rolled her eyes, her expression one of tired disdain. Whatever drama they were brewing, she wanted no part of it.
Without a word, Mabel headed for the stairs. Beatrice, however, wasn’t about to let her leave unscathed. Straightening, she turned to Mabel, her face stern. “Mabel, where have you been? It’s late, and you’ve been sneaking out more and more these days. Look at you, dressed up like that. Mind telling me who were you with?”
SEND GIFT
