Chapter 2
The entire room burst into laughter.
“Mr. Stainbrook, aren’t you going to sponsor Mrs. Stainbrook a little? Hahaha!”
Jackson shrugged and flashed a helpless smile.
“My honey’s the picture of independence. She insists on relying on her skills to place ‘unlimited bidding.’ I mean, she’s the daughter of a
gangster after all–tough as nails.”
“That’s true! She made a name for herself back then with that 13- million–dollar bracelet–claimed it outright without even blinking. Can’t wait to see what she pulls off tonight!
“I’m itching to go up against her myself.”
Just then, the auction bell rang.
Everyone took their seats according to their paddle numbers, shooting me mocking glances as they passed.
Over the past six months, every bit of usable capital I had had been locked up. Every person in that room could outbid me with one casual raise of their paddle. They were all wealthy beyond reach.
And Jackson knew that better than anyone.
He also knew that if even a fraction of those photo books made it out into the world, I’d be utterly ruined. Worse, my already–deceased parents would become the targets of public ridicule and cruelty.
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Chapter 2
It felt like I was being roasted alive, trapped with no way out.
I grew up attending elite schools, receiving the best education and training. I’d chased my dreams and made them real, becoming someone people admired, envied even.
But the day I finally made it, when I reached the peak of my career, my parents lit the charcoal and ended their lives.
They did it, so they wouldn’t stain my future. They gave their lives to lift me to a place that others were born into.
And now, everything they died to protect was being destroyed by Jackson.
“She always acts so proper and composed, doesn’t she?”
“No wonder Mr. Stainbrook left her for Ms. Krueger. Who could put up with that? I’d be sick of her too.”
I dug my fingers into my thigh, so hard it hurt, forcing back the tears that were threatening to spill.
Just as the auctioneer was about to begin, I raised my paddle to request a delay.
Jackson’s eyes locked onto mine. His voice was calm, but the meaning behind it was sharp and cold.
“Nicole, you know what happens if you try to run from this, right?”
That was a threat, plain and simple, laced with disdain.
I hesitated, then slowly turned to face him, locking eyes with the man I once trusted with my life.
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Chapter 2
“You set this whole trap for me. The least you can do is wait five more minutes. Or are you going to drop dead before then?”
The room fell dead silent. All eyes were suddenly on us.
Tension crackled in the air, and Jackson’s smirk faded into a thunderous scowl.
A few of his buddies exchanged uneasy glances.
“Mr. Stainbrook, maybe we should just tell the organizers the delay doesn’t count? This auction isn’t public anyway–we make the rules here.”
“Yeah, who has time to watch her play out this drama? If she’s broke, just say so. We came here for the videos.”
Jackson’s eyes narrowed into slits. He spoke in a low, frigid voice.
“Get the hell out.”
・
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Chapter 3
