She gestured toward the elaborate head table where she'd been seated, clearly expecting Vincent to follow without question. The invitation was more command than request, delivered with the confidence of someone who'd never been refused anything.The crowd watched with bated breath. Being invited to sit with Stephani Palazzo at her own event? That was an honor worth more than money could buy."Miss Palazzo," Vincent said carefully, his voice polite but firm, "I'm deeply honored by your praise and your invitation.""Then you'll join me!" Stephani's smile widened, her grip on his hands tightening."I'm afraid I must decline," Vincent continued smoothly.The courtyard fell silent. Nobody declined Stephani Palazzo. Nobody."What?" Stephani's smile faltered slightly, confusion flickering across her perfect features."I appreciate your generous offer," Vincent said, gently extracting his hands from hers, "but I came here as part of the Moretti family representation. It wouldn't be appropriat

The announcement of the auction had transformed the courtyard atmosphere completely. What had been a charity gala with polite networking suddenly became a battlefield where the city's elite families prepared for war."This is it," Kevin said urgently to his family members, gathering them in a tight circle. "This is our chance to impress Stephani Palazzo. Whatever the most valuable item is, we bid on it. No matter the cost.""Agreed," Giovanni added from nearby, his own family clustering around him. "The Benedetti name will not be outshone tonight. We'll demonstrate our wealth and capability beyond question."Similar conversations rippled through every family group. The opportunity to partner with Stephani Palazzo—to gain her favor and access to her global network—was worth more than money could calculate. Whoever won the most prestigious item in her collection would stand out, would be remembered, would have a direct path to her attention.The stakes couldn't be higher.Gianna underst

Across the auction hall, Vincent stood near the back wall, his position deliberately chosen to provide clear sightlines to all exits while remaining outside the main seating area.He was scanning the crowd when one of Stephani's personal aides—a young woman in an impeccable suit—approached with practiced deference."Mr. Moretti?" she said quietly. "Miss Palazzo requests that you join her at the high table."Vincent turned to face her, his expression polite but firm. "Please convey my thanks to Miss Palazzo, but I must decline.""Sir, I don't think you understand," the aide pressed gently. "Miss Palazzo specifically requested your presence. It would be considered... impolite to refuse.""I understand completely," Vincent replied calmly. "And my answer remains the same. I appreciate the invitation, but I prefer to observe from here."The aide looked genuinely confused. "Sir, people don't refuse Miss Palazzo's personal invitations. Especially not twice in one evening.""Then I suppose I'

Rocco was laughing now, enjoying watching the Morettis waste money fighting against Vincent. "This is beautiful. They're destroying their own finances competing with each other.""One point two million!" Gianna called out, her face flushed."One point three," Vincent responded without hesitation.The auctioneer was practically vibrating with excitement. This kind of competitive bidding was what charity auctions dreamed of—two determined bidders driving the price far beyond reasonable value."One point four million!" Gianna's voice was sharp with frustration now.Isabella was pulling at her arm desperately. "Gianna, stop! We have other items to bid on! You can't spend everything on one chess piece!"But Gianna's pride had taken over. She'd expected Vincent to defer to her, to recognize her authority and back away. Instead, he was challenging her publicly, making her look weak if she gave up."One point five million," Vincent called."One point six!" Gianna shot back immediately.The cr

Back and forth they went, the crowd watching with bated breath as the city's most powerful patriarch faced off against the mysterious nobody who'd crashed their exclusive world."Four million," Giovanni declared, his voice carrying authority that had cowed business rivals for decades."Four point five," Vincent replied without hesitation."Five million!" Giovanni's face was flushed now, pride and anger mixing."Five point one million," Vincent said calmly.The silence that followed was profound. Giovanni Benedetti—the man who'd built an empire through ruthless business tactics—had just been outbid by someone he'd dismissed as irrelevant."Five point one million," the auctioneer repeated carefully, sensing the tension. "Going once... going twice... sold!"Giovanni sat back heavily in his chair, his expression a mixture of shock and grudging respect. Whoever this Vincent Moretti really was, he wasn't the nobody they'd all assumed.At the high table, Stephani was practically glowing with