13 An Auction Lost, A Call Unanswered
He glanced at the screen, frowned at the unfamiliar number, and declined the call.
Vivienne immediately responded without consulting Damien. “One hundred and fifty million.”
“That was insane,” Chloe muttered. “One hundred and fifty million for an embroidery? She must really hate letting anyone else win.”
“Forty million,” Vivienne announced, her voice carrying an edge of irritation.
–
As I watched them, I felt strangely hollow. The embroidery had been beautiful, but no object was worth that price. Vivienne hadn’t won it because she valued it more – she’d won because Damien’s money made her untouchable.
The room erupted in whispers. The auctioneer looked like he might faint from
excitement.
a
“Don’t even think about it,” Chloe whispered, reading my thoughts. “That villa is your
security.”
Vivienne leaned over to whisper something in Damien’s ear. He frowned slightly but gave a curt nod.
“Sixty million,” Jasper countered, his voice still steady.
“One hundred million dollars for the Ming dynasty embroidery! Do I hear more?”
I sat motionless, still holding my silent phone. The disconnected call screen mocked me – a perfect symbol of my relationship with Damien. Even when I reached out directly, he couldn’t be bothered to answer.
Vivienne looked up at Damien, who was watching the proceedings with growing interest. His previous boredom had vanished, replaced by the sharp focus he usually reserved for business negotiations.
The phone rang once, twice, three times as I watched Damien on the other side of the room. His phone lit up in his hand.
The thought made my pride sting. But for Grandmother Clara… perhaps it was worth swallowing my pride.
113 An Auction Lost, A Call Unanswered
“You could call Damien,” Chloe suggested hesitantly. “Ask him directly for help with this one purchase.”
Some losses cut deeper than others.
Jasper’s jaw tightened. He seemed to be calculating something, perhaps reaching the limits of what his family was willing to spend.
Chloe squeezed my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I think we’ve seen enough.”
Applause broke out across the room. Vivienne beamed triumphantly while Damien nodded, seemingly satisfied with the outcome despite the exorbitant price tag.
“One hundred and fifty million going once,” the auctioneer called, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. “Going twice… Sold! To Ms. Dubois for one hundred and fifty
million dollars!”
The auctioneer’s voice rang through the room, but before his gavel could fall, another voice cut through the tension.
I nodded silently. The bidding had transcended value and entered the realm of ego.
She was right. I’d already decided the villa would go toward Cora’s education fund. I couldn’t risk that on an impulse purchase, no matter how much I wanted to challenge
Vivienne.
“Going twice!”
The crowd murmured as the price climbed. Even the seasoned collectors seemed shocked by the aggressive bidding war.
“Thank you for letting us have it,” Damien said, extending his hand to Jasper. His voice carried just far enough for nearby ears to hear. “Vivienne’s grandmother will treasure
it.”
The strain in his voice was evident, but Damien either didn’t notice or chose to ignore it. I recognized that tone – the polite veneer over wounded pride. I’d used it myself countless times during my marriage to Damien.
“One hundred and twenty million,” he finally said.
My heart sank. Even that small hope extinguished, I watched as he returned his attention to Vivienne, completely unaware he’d just rejected a call from his soon–to–be
17:47
113 An Auction Lost, A Call Unanswered
And I’d lost more than just an auction. I’d lost the last shred of hope that Damien might ever notice me again, even just enough to answer a phone call from an unknown number. In his world, I had become truly invisible – while Vivienne stood in the spotlight, backed by his limitless resources.
Jasper forced a smile as he accepted the handshake. “Mr. Thorne, don’t mention it.”
“Seventy million,” Vivienne announced, her voice loaded with determination.
I slipped my phone from my purse, heart pounding. Damien’s number was no longer saved in my contacts – I’d deleted it after filing for divorce – but I knew it by heart. My fingers trembled slightly as I dialed.
I watched as Damien stood, placing a possessive hand on Vivienne’s lower back as they moved toward Jasper Robinson.
The amount hung in the air like an explosion. For several seconds, absolute silence reigned. Even the auctioneer seemed stunned.
I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. My financial ceiling had been reached, but a strange relief washed over me. At least Vivienne wouldn’t win so easily.
Vivienne’s face hardened. “Fifty million.”
Jasper didn’t hesitate. “Forty–five million.”
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