Chapter 7
Scarlett took her seat without a word, her posture poised, back straight, eyes fixed on the auction stage.
The event was already halfway through, but nothing held her attention.
Not until the auctioneer lifted the crimson silk from the velvet tray-And the pearl necklace beneath caught the spotlight.
Her heart lurched.
That necklace… She remembered it clearly from childhood-her mother used to wear it to every formal gala. The pearls rested against her slender neck, swaying gently with each elegant step. Like moonlight made tangible.
“You really want that?” came Sebastian’s low voice beside her.
Scarlett didn’t answer. She raised her paddle. “Fifty million.”
“Sixty million.”
The bid came from beside her-Lily’s sweet voice, smooth and polished.
She turned with a smile. “I love it too, Scarlett. But auctions go to the highest bidder, right? Hope you don’t mind.”
Scarlett’s nails dug into her palm. “Eighty million.”
“One hundred.”
“Two hundred.”
“Three hundred.”
The price soared past the billion mark.
Scarlett’s savings from liquidating her dowry were almost gone. Meanwhile, Lily remained composed, raising her paddle again and again with the calm certainty of someone who’d already won.
“One billion, going once… ” the auctioneer’s gaze swept the room. “Miss Shaw? Will you raise again?”
- Scarlett’s throat tightened.
She had never imagined she’d one day have to beg-for a necklace.
“I will,” she said, voice strained. She turned to Sebastian and grabbed his sleeve. “Sebastian… please lend me the money.”
Her hand was trembling. “It was my mother’s,” she said, her voice breaking. “I need it back.”
Sebastian froze.
He had never seen Scarlett like this-never seen her proud, radiant self reduced to a whisper.
Her eyes were red. Her voice barely audible. “Please,” she whispered. “I’m begging you.”
Sebastian’s hand went to his jacket pocket, reaching for his black card-
“Sebastian,” Lily’s soft voice broke in. She grabbed his arm, eyes shining with tears.
7.53%
“I really love that necklace,” she said, biting her lip. “It’s the first thing I’ve ever really wanted. Please… don’t help her. Just
this once?”
The room seemed to freeze.
Scarlett stared at him. This was the man who once carried her home barefoot through the rain.
He glanced between them. Her, and Lily.
Then finally-his gaze settled on Scarlett. “Let her have it,” he said quietly.
Four words. Soft as silk. But they cut like knives.
The gavel struck. “Sold! Congratulations to Miss Whitmore!”
Scarlett stood frozen.
She watched Lily accept the necklace with a glowing smile, turning toward her as if to say, better luck next time. Scarlett’s
nails dug so deep into her palms that blood welled up from beneath them, dripping silently onto the plush carpet. She
didn’t even feel it.
Sebastian had never seen her like this before.
Her eyes were rimmed in red, but she refused to cry. Her lips were bloodless, pressed into a tight line-but her spine
remained ramrod straight.
For some reason, a strange ache twisted in his chest.
“Sebastian…” Lily leaned into him weakly, pressing a hand to her abdomen. “It’s my time of the month… I don’t feel well.
Could you get me a blanket?”
He hesitated for a second. Then nodded and stood up. He left.
Scarlett stopped caring about the rest of the auction. The ringing in her ears wouldn’t stop. She kept seeing flashes of her
mother-smiling with that necklace around her neck, glowing under chandelier light.
She waited for the event to end. Then blocked Lily’s path outside the hall.
“Sell it to me,” she said hoarsely. “Name your price.”
Lily smiled sweetly. “Anything?”
“Anything.”
“Then kneel.”
Scarlett’s entire body trembled.
She remembered her mother’s voice on her deathbed, holding her hand-
“Lettie… whatever happens, live with dignity.”
But now, here she was-ready to give up the last shreds of her pride for a necklace.
Fine.”
The word tore itself from her throat, dry and broken.
Her eyes were red as she slowly bent her knees.
“Stop.” Lily’s voice interrupted with a cruel laugh. “Don’t bother. It’s already gone.”
“I tossed that ugly thing to a stray dog already,” Lily said lightly, scrolling through her phone. “Look.”
She flipped the screen toward her. There it was-a dirty street mutt, its neck looped with Scarlett’s mother’s pearls, now
muddy and broken.
“Your mother’s jewelry looks perfect right where it is,” Lily whispered against her ear. “On a bitch. After all… like mother,
like daughter.”
Scarlett’s pupils shrank. Her whole body started to shake.
A dull ringing filled her ears, louder than ever-like someone hammering steel against her skull.
She saw her mother’s pale, dying face. Saw the necklace-the one that, once shimmered like moonlight-now soaked in
filth.
“What did you say?” Scarlett’s voice was barely a breath.
Lily grinned smugly. “Like mother, like daughter. What, didn’t hear me clearly?”
Scarlett slowly raised her head, her eyes bloodshot with rage. “Which hand did you use to put it on?”
“This one.” Lily raised her right hand mockingly. “Why, are you going to-”
Before she could finish, Scarlett grabbed the fruit knife from the refreshment table and drove it straight through Lily’s
palm.
“AHHHHHH-!!”
