Her expression was that of a proud little peacock, preening with arrogance.
The grand finale items of the auction are always presented last. Naturally, the brooch I wanted was listed earlier since its designer was not well-known.
I secured it at a reasonable price, and as I stood to leave, Christy’s saccharine voice called out from the front row, brimming with mischief, “Auntie, why leave after bidding on such a small piece? The best treasures are saved for last! You really shouldn’t miss the finale collection—it’s a true masterpiece!”
Her clear, sweet tone turned heads, drawing attention to me. Christy’s triumphant smile glimmered as if she had won a battle.
I mirrored her smile calmly. At eighteen, one should be bold, radiant, and unafraid. No wonder Patrick is captivated.
Even I couldn’t help but admire such a vibrant, youthful girl.
Patrick affectionately patted her head, signaling her to quiet down.
Then, out of curiosity, he turned to see who had caught the attention of his beloved.
The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression faltered—cycling rapidly through surprise, guilt, and anger.
It was the first time I’d ever seen someone wear such a peculiar mix of emotions all at once.