The words hit Simone like a physical blow. Because Marcus was right. The Greene family patriarch was not a man who tolerated being disregarded, especially not by family members who'd just made massive financial decisions without approval.If Simone ignored this call, his grandfather would assume the worst—that Simone was too ashamed to face consequences, or too arrogant to answer to family authority. Either interpretation would be catastrophic.But answering meant explaining. Meant admitting to the bidding war. Meant facing his grandfather's wrath right now, in public, with hundreds of people potentially overhearing."I know it's true," Simone said through clenched teeth, his voice shaking. "I KNOW what will happen if I ignore him. But you're not making this any easier! You're just—you're just stating the obvious and making me feel WORSE!"His anger at the situation, at Alex, at his own stupidity, all began redirecting toward Marcus. The assistant who was supposed to advise him, who'd

Simone stood there, phone still pressed to his ear, staring at nothing. His entire world had just collapsed. His position in the family threatened. His inheritance potentially forfeit. All because of one night of ego and poor decisions.Marcus approached cautiously. "Sir? What did the patriarch say?""I have to return it," Simone said dully. "Return The Last Eye. Get the money back. Or I'm disowned."He looked at Marcus with hollow eyes. "Start making calls. Find out the auction house's return policy. Whatever fees they charge, whatever penalties—just handle it. I need that eight hundred million back."As Simone began the humiliating process of trying to undo his own purchase, the crowd around him whispered and recorded, capturing every moment of the Greene heir's spectacular fall from grace.Meanwhile, near the entrance of the auction hall, Mia and Alex were preparing to leave. The evening had been exhausting—emotionally draining in ways Mia hadn't anticipated. She'd watched her drea