2026-04-28 19:51:28On the other side of the hall, Cecilia motioned for Clara to come over.
“Go make a donation of 30 million dollars in Dr. Howard’s name,” she whispered so Caiden won't hear. It was supposed to be a surprise.
Clara was taken aback.
Although the Fred family was extremely wealthy, she still felt Cecilia was being overly generous especially for a man she just met, a man whom such things were said about by his ex.
“Sister, isn’t that a bit too much for a start bid and you just met him?”
Cecilia gave a confident smile. “What’s wrong with spending 30 million dollars on someone I’m interested in? Remember, I'm trying to pursue him and I need to impress him.”
Unknown to her, Caiden was hearing their conversation. He had a very sharp ear. A brief smile broke across his face.
“Maelie may not value him, but I’m not foolish enough to let someone like him slip away.” Cecilia muttered.
The auction segment actively continued, and the MC, clearly excited, began the announcement.
It started with the Mock Donations. The moment both Maelie and Nevan had been waiting for.
Though this held no real significance to the bidding, it was a display of affluence, a money play, aimed at raising the suspense in people's minds as to who gets to donate most in the real auctioning section.
“The Cantrell family of Louisiana 1.2 million!”
“Comet Enterprise 1.5 million!”
“Gardenscape Real Estate 4.5 million!”
The audience murmured among themselves.
It was obvious these were just the beginning, and the real numbers were yet to come.
Then the host smiled and announced dramatically, “Howard Hospital… donating 12 million from Ms. Maelie!” She rose up, flapping her hair, letting people see it's her.
The room erupted in surprise at such generosity.
Whoever eventually gave most at this section would most likely win the Silvercrest Apartment.
Nevan was going to participate directly in the real bidding section.
Maelie could not hide her satisfied smile, confident that victory was within reach.
The host continued, “And now, one of our big donors…..” Suspense rang in the air as the MC said next.
“Fred Corporation’s…. Ms. Cecilia Fred, 50 million!”
Another wave of excitement swept through the hall.
It was at once Maelie sat down staring at Nevan, Nevan forced a sarcastic smile. “Relax, we don't have a problem with her but Caiden. As you can see she's giving under her name and not his. Two different things.”
He hugged her.
“We're waiting for his individual donation and it must be the greatest as per the card owner which he is.”
The guests were stunned that Cecilia had matched Maelie’s impressive contribution.
The unexpected tie between these two powerful and beautiful women promised an intense rivalry.
Maelie frowned bitterly as she glanced at Cecilia.
She hadn’t anticipated anyone would surpass her.
Nevan stood up confidently, adjusting his suit. He tapped Maelie. “I'm coming.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, please settle down,” the MC said when he saw Nevan walking towards him. He whispered into his ear.
“Matts' family has chosen to fully support Howard Hospital with seventy million dollars. Therefore, Howard Hospital stands as the current highest bidder.”
Nevan walked to his seat with pride, Maelie rising up and cheering him on. She turned to Cecilia with a mocking grin but upon looking by her side, Caiden was nowhere to be found.
Maelie alerted Nevan. “Seems like that fake life has run.”
While this was said, the guests’ cheers were on them.
“Nevan is really going all out for Maelie.” They chanted repeatedly.
“She’s incredible she kept this golden man hidden until now.”
“With the Matts family backing her, the Fred family doesn’t stand a chance.”
“This is already decided. If I were the MC, I’d definitely announce Howard Hospital the winner.”
These comments went on.
Clara’s expression darkened as she turned to Cecilia.
“Miss, it looks like our donation wasn’t enough.”
Cecilia remained calm. “No need to worry.” She smiled reassuringly.
“But I’m not about to let Maelie win so easily. I might overlook it for others but not for her.”
Clara sighed. “Sister, you’re not seriously competing with Maelie just because of Dr. Howard, are you? Is he really worth it?”
Before Cecilia could respond, the host’s voice rang out again, full of excitement.
“And then comes the Ultimate donor, the wealthiest of the wealthy, the only man in our country who owns the Black Unlimited Black Card….” People sprang up to view. Maelie and Nevan stared deeper.
It was Caiden. Yes, Dr. Caiden standing beside the MC.
“And he becomes our final donor…..Mr. Caiden Howard. His donation is… 3 billion from the prestigious Black Unlimited Mortgage Card,” the MC said, sliding into the POS machine.
“Let's see if that thing goes,” Nevan chuckled, still not wanting to believe this card is real. Maelie was at the brink of life and death, earnestly waiting in anticipation.
Silence fell heavily, all eyes turned to Caiden’s direction. People began to gossip.
“Hurrrayyyyyy!” Came the jubilant chant from the MC.
“He just surpassed everyone with an unlimited gap!”
“Caiden Howard? I’ve never heard of him!” More whispers began to emerge.
“No wonder the hospital is named Howard Hospital and not Logan Hospital.” Someone said behind Maelie, she turned and it was Cecilia seeming to talk with her sister, both of whom had shifted their seats to behind them.
She trembled.
At that moment, one of Cecilia’s subordinates approached and reported, “Miss, the estate finance team returned the 30 million dollars we donated under Dr. Howard’s name. They said it was his request and he didn't need it. It's a waste of resources for you.”
Cecilia’s calm demeanor finally faltered as she looked toward Caiden.
Only then did she realize he had personally donated 3 billion dollars.
Since Maelie stood, she made no motion. “Caiden? 3 billion? And he even used the Black Card. How is everything turning up like this?”
“Dad never told me why he gave him that card.” She shook her head with fury. “Is it because we lived together, is dad trying to force me to be with him?”
“What do you mean? How can he force you to marry that trash? Who knows if he didn’t threaten Mr. Logan into giving him the card and not attending this auction?”
“It’s true……..” Maelie nodded. “Let’s confront him. Let’s put him to shame before everyone. Maybe he tricked dad into getting the card.”
The MC interrupted. “The money has been transferred successfully, let’s give a resounding clap to the World’s Richest Heir.”
“Urgh?” Maelie and Nevan gasped, terror glimmering in their eyes.
“No, we can’t believe this!” Nevan shook his head vehemently.
“Is he something we don't know?” Maelie tapped Nevan, curiosity pulling at her.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 33
The celebration of the relationship was done at Roman's house. Just Roman, Lena, Carlos and Zara. Roman wanted to make a toast to it and welcome Zara to the family officially. The next few days were good, everything followed the smoother path. Well, until a fine morning. A press story broke out from an anonymous source claiming Roman used political connections to secure the infrastructure deal unfairly. The heading was ghastly. “Roman secures infrastructure deals from frolicking rather than bidding.” The story went on to accuse Roman of being in a relationship with Elara, labelling it as the reason he got the job. Photos of him and Elara in the restaurant were also surfacing. The claims that he was cheating on his wife also surfaced and his image was slowly getting tarnished. The story was of major concern. It wasn't just a business story, but a public and moral one. Roman had always been seen as a moral person and this definitely made people question him. Even though the stor
Chapter 32
In the weeks after Edward Ashford’s arrest, Caiden experienced a silence unlike anything he had known since before the auction. The media moved on from scandal to something closer to praise, framing him as the doctor who had inherited a legacy, uncovered his mother’s truth, and helped bring down a decades-old criminal network.It was the sort of story journalists were quick to embrace, and for the first time, Caiden found he didn’t resist being at its center.But the stillness unsettled him. After so long in constant conflict, he had almost forgotten what it meant to live without it.“You need to relax,” Cecilia said one evening as they sat on the penthouse balcony, watching the sunset spread color across the sky. “The Consortium is finished. Ashford is in custody. The immediate threats are gone. You’re allowed to breathe again.”“There’s still his protégé,” Caiden said. “The woman who delivered the flash drive. We don’t know her identity, or what she’s really after.”“We do know she
Chapter 31
The following morning after the wedding, Caiden stirred before sunrise. Cecilia was still asleep beside him, one hand lightly resting on his chest, her breathing even and calm. He stayed still, watching the faint light of early morning slip through the curtains, his mind turning over everything that had already happened, and everything still ahead.On the nightstand lay the flash drive the unknown woman had delivered. Marcus had spent the night going through it, and a preliminary report was already waiting on Caiden’s phone. He hadn’t opened it yet. For a few hours, he had chosen to keep the war at a distance, just long enough to have one night that belonged entirely to them.Now the night has ended.Caiden eased himself out of bed as quietly as possible, careful not to disturb Cecilia. Despite his effort, she shifted anyway, she always seemed to notice.“Where are you going?” she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.“To go through Marcus’s report,” he said softly. “Go back to bed
Chapter 30
The wedding day came with clear skies and an unseasonably warm breeze. The rooftop garden had been completely transformed, like something out of a fairytale. Glass candles lined the walkways, soft light flickering against the evening air, while white and gold flowers covered every surface in carefully arranged abundance. Somewhere nearby, a string quartet played gently as guests settled into their seats, the music drifting through the open space.Michael had organized security with military-level precision. Every attendee was carefully screened, every supplier thoroughly checked. Plainclothes operatives were placed strategically across the hospital grounds, while FBI agents blended into the guest list. Commander Ellis had even brought in his team from London as a personal favor.If the Consortium intended to strike, they wouldn’t find a ceremony, they would find a heavily fortified stronghold.Caiden stood at the altar with Michael beside him as his best man. For the first time, ther
Chapter 29
The engagement was made public in a quiet way, a brief newspaper notice and an official statement from the hospital’s PR team. After months of intense media attention, Caiden and Cecilia had decided they wanted this announcement to remain personal and low-key.However, the news still spread quickly. Congratulations came in from all parts of Caiden’s circle. Evelyn Cho sent a large bouquet of flowers with a simple note that said, “Finally.” Marcus Webb dropped by Caiden’s office with a premium bottle of whiskey and a grin that seemed impossible to contain. From Dubai, Amir called to offer his blessings and even proposed hosting the wedding at one of his family’s palaces.Even Maelie sent a card. It was simple, handwritten, almost restrained: “Congratulations to you both. Wishing you every happiness.”Caiden read it once, then again, before quietly putting it away. The person she used to be in his life felt like a distant memory now, familiar, yet unreachable. They had both become diffe
Chapter 28
Michael found him the next morning, waiting outside his office with an expression that meant bad news."Edward Ashford is dead."Caiden stopped mid-stride. "How?""His body was found at an estate in Switzerland. Apparent heart attack. The Swiss authorities are calling it natural causes.""You don't believe that.""I don't believe in coincidence." Michael handed him a tablet with the Swiss police report. "He died three days ago, right after our press conference. Right after we released the evidence against him.""He knew we were coming for him. The stress—""Maybe. Or maybe someone else got to him first. Someone who didn't want him talking."Caiden stared at the report. Edward Ashford had been the architect of his mother's murder. The founder of the Consortium. The shadow that had hung over his family for thirty years. And now he was dead before Caiden could face him."There are others still out there," Michael continued. "The Consortium's leadership was never just one man. Ashford was
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