2026-11-03 15:44:05
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Chapter 10
Ethan continued staring at the two rings in his hands. The patterns were almost identical. When he placed them beside each other, the strange lines seemed to connect, forming a design that neither ring could complete on its own.He turned them around, examining every detail. What did they mean? And why did touching the antique ring bring back images he couldn't understand?“Ethan?” Olivia's voice interrupted his thoughts and he looked up.“Are you alright?” she asked.“Yes,” he replied, although his expression suggested otherwise.“You've been staring at them for a while,” Olivia said, as she glanced at the rings.“There's something strange about them,” Ethan said.“What do you mean?”she asked and he held the rings closer together.“Look at the patterns. They connect perfectly,” he said and Olivia examined them.“You're right. They almost look like two pieces of the same design,” she muttered.“That's what I've been thinking,” Ethan said and ran his thumb over the surface of his mothe
Chapter 9
The ballroom fell silent. Preston stood with a satisfied smile, waiting for Ethan to respond. He had already imagined how the evening would end. Ethan would fail to prove he had the money, Harold would cancel his bid, and everyone would finally see him for the poor car wash worker he believed him to be.Harold Mercer adjusted his glasses and looked at Ethan. “Mr. Cole, are you willing to have your financial capacity verified?” Harlod asked.“Yes,” Ethan replied calmly and Preston chuckled.“You're agreeing already? I thought you would at least try to come up with an excuse,” Preston said and Ethan glanced at him.“Is there a reason I should refuse?” Ethan asked with no expression on his face “Of course not. Unless you know you cannot afford what you just offered,” Preston replied with a grin. A few guests laughed. Ethan didn't react. Claire watched him anxiously. She had hoped he would withdraw his bid before things went any further, but he seemed determined to continue.“Ethan, p
Chapter 8
Preston stared at Ethan for a long moment. Then a slow smile spread over his face, and he leaned back in his chair.Fifteen million. It was a big number, and a man like Ethan could never say it with his own money. Somebody was backing him, and Preston didn't need to guess who. Olivia was sitting right next to him, sipping her wine like she had nothing to do with it.But Preston knew something that Ethan didn't. Harold Mercer ran his auctions by a strict rule, and everyone in the upper circle of the city knew it. The person who bid and the person who paid had to be the same. Nobody could pay for someone else, and no one could send a friend or a bank to cover the bill.Ethan couldn't know that. If he did, he wouldn't be sitting there so calm. He thought Olivia would simply write a check for him, and he was about to find out that she couldn't.Preston picked up his paddle. He wanted to teach this man a lesson he would never forget."Fifteen million and five hundred thousand," he called o
Chapter 7
Preston's face turned dark. He had been pleased with himself a minute ago, and now his jaw was so tight that a muscle jumped in his cheek.He was sure Ethan was doing it on purpose. A car wash worker walks into a room like this, and he has the nerve to say that ring is his, right in front of everyone. Preston's hand curled around his glass until his knuckles went pale."Fine," he said, and forced a laugh. "Let's see how he plans to get it. I'd love to watch."Around them, the guests were already whispering and grinning. Nobody in the room believed Ethan for a second. They figured he was a poor man trying to look big in front of a famous woman, and they were ready to enjoy the show when he fell on his face.Harold Mercer walked up to the stage, tapped the microphone, and welcomed everyone. People took their seats. Waiters moved between the tables, and the auction began.The first item was an oil painting of a harbor. It sold for two hundred thousand dollars. The second was a gold pocke
Chapter 6
Claire heard it from the people standing near the door. Two women whispered it behind their glasses, and then a man said it out loud to his friend, as if he couldn't believe it either. That was Olivia Grant, the senior director of Sterling Crown Bank.Claire felt something heavy settle in her chest. She had asked for the divorce only a few hours ago, and already Ethan was walking in with a woman everyone in the room knew by name. She told herself it didn't matter, but she couldn't shake the feeling.She looked at Olivia's back, then at the way Ethan walked beside her, calm and easy, like he'd been going to dinners like this his whole life. That wasn't how she remembered him at all.The ballroom was huge. Crystal lights hung from the ceiling, round tables were set with white cloths and gold plates, and a small band was playing near the stage. At the far end stood a long table with a velvet cloth over it, where the auction items would be shown later.The moment Preston stepped inside, p
Chapter 5
The Harbor Palace Hotel had a red carpet rolled out across the front steps. Cars were lined up along the curb, and men in tuxedos and women in long dresses were walking in two and three at a time.Ethan's car stopped at the end of the line. Olivia was on the phone in the back seat, talking low and fast with one finger raised to tell him she'd be a minute. He nodded and got out first.The suit she had found for him fit well. It was black, simple, and cut like it was made for him, and for the first time in three years he didn't smell like soap and car wax. He tugged at the sleeve and started up the carpet."Ethan?"He knew the voice before he turned. Claire was standing near the door in a dark blue evening dress, with her hair pinned up and a small silver bag in her hand. Preston was next to her in a tuxedo, one hand resting at her back.Her eyes went wide. "What are you doing here?""I came for the dinner," Ethan said."You came for the dinner?" She looked him up and down, from the sui
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