Chapter 6
Author: Pinky T
last update2026-02-04 17:26:15

Lena was still trying to steady herself when she finally processed Su Yanning’s identity.

Senior Director of National Union Bank.

The title echoed in her mind again and again, heavier each time.

That position alone placed Su Yanning above most of the people attending tonight’s banquet. Power, beauty, status,she had all of it. And she was standing beside Ethan, close enough that no one could mistake their relationship.

An uncomfortable feeling crept into Lena’s chest.

She had just divorced Ethan, convinced that he was dragging her down. Yet now, it looked like he had already stepped into a world far brighter than hers,and with a woman who seemed… better.

Lena clenched her jaw and followed Victor into the hall.

The banquet hall was already buzzing.

Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, reflecting off champagne glasses and diamond jewelry. The air was thick with polite laughter, calculated smiles, and hidden ambition.

The moment Victor Shaw stepped inside, heads turned.

Several persons ran toward him.

“Young Master Shaw!”

“So you’re here tonight as well?”

“I heard your family just secured another major project.”

One guest after another approached eagerly, their faces full of flattery.

Victor accepted the attention with practiced ease, his expression confident and proud. He placed a hand lightly on Lena’s back, presenting her openly.

“What a perfect couple.” One of the women commented politely.

“Yes, Miss Carter and Young Master Shaw really complement each other.” Another replied.

“A match made in heaven.”

Victor’s smile widened with every compliment. Lena smiled too, though it felt stiff on her lips.

Soon, the conversation shifted.

“I heard tonight’s auction will be extraordinary,” a man said excitedly. “Especially the final item.”

“Oh?” Victor raised an eyebrow.

“It’s a vintage ring,” the man lowered his voice. “It’s President Liang’s private collection.”

President Liang,president of the city’s largest business association and tonight’s host.

Even Victor’s eyes lit up.

“That ring is priceless,” another guest added. “The starting price alone is astronomical. Honestly, only someone of your status, Young Master Shaw, could afford to bid for it.”

Victor laughed lightly, clearly enjoying himself. “If it’s something President Liang is willing to part with,” he said confidently, “then I’ll naturally show him respect.”

In his tone, the ring already belonged to him.

Lena glanced at him, pride flickering briefly in her eyes.

Not far away, Su Yanning watched the scene unfold with calm amusement.

She swirled the champagne in her glass lazily. “He’s already claiming it before the auction even starts.”

Ethan stood beside her, his gaze drifting casually across the hall. “Confidence is cheap I’m afraid,” he said flatly.

Su Yanning smiled. “Arrogance is even cheaper.”

At that moment, someone nearby laughed loudly.

“Director Su I knew it,” a guest said jokingly, “I heard you got someone could buy out the entire auction house?”

More laughter followed.

Several eyes turned toward Ethan.

“Oh, that’s the ex-husband of Lena Carter, right?” One of the guest whispered.

“The one who got dumped because he was useless?” Another whispered.

“So what did he do to make Director Su protect him like this?”

The mocking voices weren’t subtle.

Victor heard them and smiled smugly. “Director Su, you really shouldn’t joke like that. Buying out the auction house? That’s a bit unrealistic.” Victor said while walking to where Ethan and Su were standing.

Su Yanning raised an eyebrow. “Is it now?”

Victor chuckled. “Well, unless you’re talking about fairy tales.”

The surrounding guests laughed again.

Lena felt a strange tightening in her chest at Victor’s teasing 

She looked at Ethan but he didn’t look angry.

He didn’t look embarrassed.

He looked… uninterested.

As if none of this mattered to him at all.

That calm indifference unsettled her more than any argument ever had.

Su Yanning glanced at Ethan. “Do you want me to say something?”

“No,” he replied quietly. “There’s no need to address anything they say.”

He stepped forward slightly, his voice calm but clear.

“I’m not interested in buying the entire auction, that’s not my business.”

The laughter softened, some guests nodding in agreement.

Victor smirked. “At least you know your limits.”

Ethan’s eyes lifted slowly,toward the large screen above the stage.

The auction preview images were rotating.

Then,

The ring appeared on the screen.

It still had its dark metal and ancient engraving.

It still felt Incomplete.

Ethan’s heartbeat skipped and a sharp, dull ache pulsed briefly behind his temples.

Fragments of memory flickered in his mind, they were too fast to grasp, too painful to hold.

He saw Fire.

He heard A woman’s voice.

And Blood was on cold ground.

Ethan clenched his fingers slightly, grounding himself.

“But that ring,” he continued calmly, his gaze unwavering as he pointed to the screen, “is mine.”

The hall fell silent.

For half a second, no one spoke.

Then laughter erupted even louder than before.

“Did he just say that ring is his?” One of the guest boomed with laughter.

“Does he know whose ring that is?” Another remarked.

“Delusional.”

Victor laughed openly now, shaking his head. “You really don’t know when to stop.”

Lena took a step forward, her voice low and tense. “Ethan, enough. You’re only making things worse.”

He finally looked at her and Lena flinched.

There was no resentment in his eyes, no bitterness.

Only distance.

“I know exactly what I’m doing, stop putting your mouth in my business.” he said calmly.

Her words froze in her throat at his words.

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