The question dropped like a bomb on the silent hall. Hushed murmurs, whispers, apparent gossip immediately replaced the earlier quiet anticipation of the hall.Melissa's hand flew up to her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. Scam? She knew the Black family. They were immensely wealthy, the sort of wealth that had convinced her to cheat on Coulter and leave him behind.She turned slowly, agonizingly towards Coulter. He was watching the spectacle unfold, his face a neutral mask, but his eyes carrying a certain glimpse of something.Amusement? Satisfaction?Melissa felt something in her harden. Why did everything go wrong for them whenever Coulter showed up? It was almost like he was doing something to sabotage them at every step.Her eyes widened even more at the accusation that settled slowly in her mind. The bastard."S... Scam?" Caleb finally said, his eyes wide. "I am a member of the Black family. We have the sort of old money that could buy off this entire auction pieces. The only reas

The ride home was silent, with Coulter watching the city lights pass by, his eyes thin with a numbness he had gotten accustomed to in all his years of being married to Melissa. Amelia was a lot more pensive, her eyes falling occasionally towards the torn material that Coulter was holding up, his hand resting on his chest. She clutched her purse tighter, the signed auction papers sitting in the space between them. She had given the designated driver the penthouse address, and Coulter hadn't protested. It seemed, at the very least, he was allowing her to do this one thing. They got to the hotel, and Coulter got off, then went around, just as Amelia grabbed her purse and the papers. He opened the door before she could, his other hand still holding the torn shirt, the expression in his eyes unreadable. She gave a small smile, then walked out of the car. With renewed conviction, she led the way to the elevator, and they settled into comfortable silence as they went up. The eleva

Caleb arrived at the Martinez pension just as the sun had settled above the horizons. The last time he had seen or even spoken to Melissa and Madam Gabriella was last night, right before Melissa was kicked out of the auction.He swallowed hard, packing his car right in front before grabbing the papers. He could still see the disappointment in Melissa's eyes when he had lost both the necklace and the shares, and he knew he was on a very tight rope.He looked down at the papers. These were his very last chance, and he had to use it well. To the very best of his ability.He rang the doorbell, and the housekeeper, an elderly woman named Elaine, opened it. She scanned him warily, then adjusted, her body blocking the small crack of the open door."Madam doesn't want to see you."Caleb's eyes widened. "No, wait. Tell her I absolutely have to talk to her. Please. Tell her it is important."Elaine sighed, then started to shake her head when Madam Gabriella's voice came from above."Who is ther

The ride back to the Martinez penthouse was an affair of planning and laughter. By the time Caleb parked in front of the penthouse, Melissa and Madam Gabriella had a full plan.The ball would be scheduled for next week. There would be a red carpet, an invitation only gala. Melissa would shop for dresses. Four of them that would span all four hours of the gala. They have decided on inviting Coulter and Amelia, and also, the most humiliating experience of the year. It would be beautiful. Epic. Talk of the year.Caleb left the penthouse, as Melissa settled on the couch, her eyes turning to Madam Gabriella."I can't believe it," she said, laughing. "I can't believe that I am finally the owner of that villa."Madam Gabriella gave a small smile. "I know. I know, right? It is surreal. Epic! Imagine the face of that bastard when he comes there, seeing you own a house that he will never be able to afford. He and that slut!"Melissa's eyes darkened with revenge. "I started to doubt Caleb a litt

Coulter walked into the large private underground garage. It was a sprawling space filled with nothing but the toys he had amassed out of sheer boredom, randomg from state of the art motorcycles to sport cars, F1 cars that he had paid fortunes for, and even a smal carrier. It was the perfect haven.He walked through the massive space, toll he found the car he was looking for. It was a simple but elegant car that screamed of comfort, but not quite the sort of wealth that a CEO like Amelia would be bought by. The keys were sitting on the showcase board, and he grabbed it and opened the car.The ride to the Sun Hotels was quiet, and he parked in front of the building, then got down. He was wearing a simple black shirt on tailored trousers, his glasses still perched on his nose. His sleeves were rolled up, the first two buttons of his shirt opened, and his shoes gleamed in the light. He hadn't had the time to change them, but he hoped that Amelia wouldn't see the red colour underneath.H