Chapter 101
Skyla was looking for Chris too, and she saw the moment Winter kicked his cane away.
She immediately had the caregiver roll her over.
She picked up the cane and turned on Winter, her tone sharp. “Winter, that was too far. Chris’s leg was injured because he saved you. You should be grateful. Instead, you kicked his cane away p>
“Is Chris mute now?” Winter snapped. The anger in her chest hadn’t even cooled, and Skyla had already rushed over to take the hit for him.
Skyla’s expression tightened. “What did you just say p>
“I kicked his cane and he hasn’t said a word,” Winter said coldly. “But you jumped in to speak for him so fast, I almost thought he couldn’t talk p>
Only then did Skyla seem to realize what that sounded like. Her eyes reddened. She turned toward Chris at once. “Chris, I’m sorry. I just got anxious. I couldn’t stand watching Winter bully you like that p>
Chris took the cane back. His voice was flat, hard to read. “She has always been spoiled p>
“What happened?” Zac and Dominic walked over as well.
When a few heirs from prominent families gathered in one spot, other guests couldn’t help looking. More and more people noticed the tension, and more whispers started up, speculating about Chris and Winter.
Skyla frowned slightly and reminded them, “The auction is about to start. Let’s go p>
“Okay p>
Winter watched the scene with a cold laugh. Then she grabbed Steve’s arm. “Let’s go p>
The auction hall was in a separate building.
Windham Gardens was laid out like a traditional estate. In winter the grounds were mostly bare, with the greenery stripped back. But it had snowed the night before, and under the lights the whole place looked calm and almost magical.
A staff member led Winter and Steve from the reception hall into the auction space.
As Winter walked in, she saw Victor looking her way. She gave a small nod in greeting, then followed
Steve to their seats.
Sasha sat on Winter’s other side. She glanced in Victor’s direction, then looked away.
Chris, as head of the Xander family, had a seat in the front row. Skyla, as his date, sat beside him. Dominic and Zac sat next to them.
The seating was clearly intentional. Chris was placed right in front of Winter, and Skyla was directly in front of Steve.
+25 Bonus
There was a small table between the rows, and the chairs were staggered so no one’s view was blocked. Still, they were close enough to hear each other if anyone raised their voice.
Steve leaned in. “Want to switch seats p>
Winter kept her eyes forward. “What, am I going to catch something just from listening to them? No. I’m not moving p>
Dominic, seated in front, let out a snort and couldn’t hold back a laugh. Winter’s mouth was lethal.
Chris stayed cool and unreadable. He picked up his drink and took a slow sip, like none of it concerned
him.
Sasha cleared her throat.
The auction was about to begin.
The host started with a few warm–up lines and explained that all proceeds tonight would go to charity.
“Now, our first item up for bid p>
A hostess walked onstage carrying a tray covered in a cloth.
The host pulled the cloth back.
Under the lights was a sapphire brooch, dazzling and bright.
Winter’s face changed. Her hand clenched hard around the armrest of her chair.
That was the gift she had asked Chris for when she got into grad school.
Chris had said he bought it on a whim, but she had treasured it ever since.
She had been wearing it the day Chris got into the car accident.
The crash site was close to her school. When she rushed there, Skyla had already been pulled out. Chris was still trapped in the car, unconscious. Winter had moved the wrecked vehicle with her bare hands and climbed into that dangerous car without thinking twice.
Afterward, the sapphire brooch was gone.
Some part of her had believed it had been traded for Chris’s safety. Even though she regretted losing it,
she told herself it was worth it. All she cared about was that Chris was alive.
But now it was here.
2/3
Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.