But Margaret kept announcing "Sold to Mr. Hayes," and Marcus kept raising his hand with that same infuriating calm.Diana sat frozen in her seat, her analytical mind completely overwhelmed. Eleven million dollars. Marcus had just spent eleven million dollars like he was buying groceries. The man she'd married, the man she'd given a modest living allowance to, the man who cooked breakfast in her kitchen—had just outbid the wealthiest families in the city without breaking a sweat.Catherine Morrison gripped her daughter's arm so hard it would leave bruises. "Diana, what is happening? Where is he getting this money?""I don't know," Diana whispered, and the admission terrified her. "I don't know anything about him."At the head table, Sophia Palazzo watched Marcus's bidding spree with growing excitement that she barely bothered to conceal. Her hands came together in delicate applause after each of his victories, her eyes shining with admiration and something darker—possessive satisfactio

Marcus studied Lucas for a long moment, and something shifted in his expression—not fear or concern, but a kind of weary resignation, as if he'd heard threats like this so many times they'd lost all impact."You're right," Marcus said finally, and Lucas's eyes widened slightly with surprise at the admission. "I have done enough. I've made my point.""What point would that be?""That's between me and the people who needed to see it," Marcus replied cryptically. "But you're correct—it's time to stop. I'm going to sit back now and enjoy the rest of the auction. No more bidding from me."Lucas frowned, trying to read the subtext. Was Marcus backing down because he was scared? Because Lucas's threat had actually landed? Or was he stopping because he'd run out of money—assuming he'd ever had it in the first place?"Just like that?" Lucas asked suspiciously. "You're done?""Just like that," Marcus confirmed. "The final item is yours to fight over. I won't be participating."Lucas searched Ma

This was the moment. The final item. The most valuable offering of the entire evening. If Marcus truly wanted to win her back, if he truly understood what she was offering, he would be fighting for this stake in her company. He would be demonstrating that he wanted partnership with her, connection to her empire, access to her world.But Marcus's paddle remained lowered. His expression remained neutral. And Sophia's carefully constructed fantasy of him courting her through the auction began to crack at the edges."Nineteen million," the Blackwood family entered the fray, their bid cautious but serious.Lucas turned in his seat, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Where was Marcus Hayes? After dominating the entire evening, spending millions without hesitation, why was he silent now?Unless he'd reached his limit. Unless all those earlier bids had tapped him out, leaving him unable to compete for the real prize.Lucas's lips curved into a satisfied smile. So Hayes was just a flash in the

Applause erupted from some quarters—genuine appreciation for the dramatic conclusion mixed with polite acknowledgment of Diana's victory. Whispered speculation flew through other sections as people tried to process how Diana Morrison had pulled this off. Catherine Morrison sat frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what her daughter had just accomplished. Liam and Ryan looked like they'd swallowed poison, their faces twisted with impotent rage.And Diana—Diana felt a rush of emotions so overwhelming she could barely breathe. Triumph. Terror. Disbelief. Pride. The weight of fifty million dollars committed. The promise of partnership with the Palazzo empire. The certainty that her life had just changed irrevocably.In that moment of collective distraction, Marcus moved.He didn't run. Running drew attention, triggered pursuit instincts in security personnel. Instead, he simply stood and walked with calm purpose toward the nearest side corridor, his movement timed perfectly to coincide wi

Diana responded to each overture with professional courtesy, but her mind was elsewhere. Marcus had disappeared. The fifty million dollars in her account remained unexplained. And across the room, Sophia Palazzo held court at the head table, surrounded by admirers and sycophants.Sophia—who'd designed this entire auction, who'd offered the Palazzo Corporation stake, who Diana now had a legal business relationship with.Diana had come to this event hoping to make connections. Now she'd made the biggest connection possible, and she had no idea what it actually meant or what would be expected of her going forward.Catherine appeared at Diana's elbow, her earlier shock transformed into strategic excitement. "Diana, you need to go introduce yourself to Sophia Palazzo properly. As a new shareholder, you should—""I know, Mother," Diana interrupted gently. She'd been thinking the same thing. "I was about to do exactly that."Diana set down her untouched champagne and began making her way acr