Chapter 102
Winter stared at the image on the big screen without blinking. Her nails dug into her palm.
It was a five–petal flower brooch. The petals were set with tiny diamonds, and the center stone was a sapphire cut in an old style.
She couldn’t be wrong.
Chris might have called it a random gift and forgotten about it, but she never would.
It was the one he had given her.
Back then, she used to take it out every night and hold it up under the light, admiring it until she started smiling for no reason.
Just knowing it came from him made her ridiculous. She would curl up under her blanket, kick her legs, and squeal into her pillow.
One night, Chris even knocked on the wall and asked what on earth she was doing in there. Her face had turned bright red, and she refused to admit anything.
Onstage, the auctioneer watched the crowd and grinned into the microphone. “Looks like we have a lot of interest tonight. The donor asked to remain anonymous and only wants to support the cause. So let’s
get started p>
In the front row, Chris set his drink down and lifted his gaze, giving the brooch a brief look.
“Opening bid is two million p>
Before the auctioneer could finish, a deep voice called out, “Three million p>
Winter snapped back and looked across the room. Victor was the one who had bid.
The Jasper family wasn’t on the same level as the Xanders, but they had plenty of money and influence.
Back when she reported Jacob after the beating, the Jaspers could have protected him without breaking a sweat. The only reason it didn’t go that way was that Victor never seemed to care much about either of
his kids.
Otherwise, with all the history between her, Jacob, and Skyla, he wouldn’t have reacted the way he had
when he saw her earlier.
“Three million from Mr. Jasper,” the auctioneer announced. “Do I hear four p>
“Four million p>
Someone raised it.
Victor didn’t even blink. “Six million p>
Choptes 102
+25 Bonus
Winter’s eyes went back to the brooch.
“This piece is beautifully made,” Sasha said quietly beside her. She saw Winter’s frown and assumed she was shocked by the numbers. “And that sapphire is extremely valuable. It’s a collector’s piece p>
Winter pressed her lips together.
She knew Chris was rich. Even if he called it a random purchase, it was never going to be cheap. She just hadn’t expected the sapphire itself to be worth a fortune.
But the price was never what she cared about.
Next to her, Steve lifted his paddle. “Eight million p>
The auctioneer’s voice climbed. “Eight million p>
Winter shot him a look.
Steve lowered his paddle and leaned in with a grin. “You’ve been staring at it. You like it? I’ll buy it for you p>
Victor raised his paddle again. “Ten million p>
“Ten million, ” the auctioneer repeated, clearly thrilled. “Do we have anything higher p>
“Twenty million.” Steve raised his paddle again, ignoring the way Winter stared at him like he had lost his
mind.
The Zeller family had people there too. Winter recognized one of William’s uncles. He lifted his paddle and said evenly, “Thirty million p>
The numbers kept climbing, and the auctioneer grew more excited with every bid.
Steve laughed under his breath and reached for his paddle again.
Then the man in the front row finally lifted his.
“ One hundred million,” Chris said, calm and flat.
The room went dead quiet.
For a second, all you could hear was someone sucking in a breath.
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Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.