Chapter 4

The private auction was held at a club in the north of the city, luxury cars lining the entrance.

Adrian took my arm as we walked in, people greeting him constantly along the way.

He handled it all with ease, wearing an appropriate smile, occasionally leaning down to remind me to watch my step.

The perfect husband. The perfect performance.

We found our seats. The auction began shortly.

One piece of jewelry, antique, or artwork after another was brought to the display stage, prices climbing amid the rising and falling of bidding paddles.

I accepted everything with a smile, but my eyes scanned the room like radar.

Most guests showed their faces openly, but several wore elegant masks.

This was customary at private auctions—buyers who didn't want to reveal their identities chose this method.

One woman in a silver mask caught my attention.

She sat in a corner diagonally across from us, posture elegant, chin slightly raised.

The mask covered most of her face, but her chin, her lips, the slight tilt of her head...

I knew them too well.

Because I saw the same contours in the mirror every day.

It was Eleanor.

I was certain.

"Next item," the auctioneer's voice announced, "is an emerald necklace from the nineteenth century, once belonging to a European duchess. Starting bid: five hundred thousand."

Under the spotlight, the necklace rested quietly on a velvet tray, the green gems sparkling under the lights.

Beautiful. I liked it almost at first glance.

I raised my paddle.

"Eight hundred thousand."

Someone followed.

I turned to look—the woman in the silver mask.

Eleanor.

"One million." I raised my paddle again, voice calm.

"One point two million." She followed.

Adrian began fidgeting beside me. He leaned close and lowered his voice. "Margaret, this necklace isn't worth that much. Let's not fight over it."

"You said last night," I turned my head to look into his eyes, "whatever I want, you'd get it for me."

"But—"

"One point five million." Ignoring him, I raised my paddle again.

The silver mask across the room paused.

I saw her gloved hand tighten slightly on her paddle.

Finally, she didn't raise it again.

"One point five million, going once! Going twice! Sold! Congratulations to this lady!"

The necklace was mine.

I leaned back in my chair, lips curving, my peripheral vision catching the silver mask.

Her lips were pressed tight, hand gripping her number paddle, eyes filled with resentment.

And Adrian beside me—his expression wasn't pleasant either.

He must be heartbroken.

Heartbroken at having to spend so much money for me to buy a necklace that upset his "true love."

Ha.

The auction continued.

Several items later, the auctioneer presented a pair of ruby earrings.

"Starting bid: three hundred thousand."

The silver-masked Eleanor raised her paddle. "Five hundred thousand."

I looked at the earrings, then at Eleanor.

Then I raised my own paddle.

"Six hundred thousand."

The price escalated rapidly between us.

Adrian's breathing grew noticeably faster.

He grabbed my hand, his voice carrying barely suppressed agitation. "Margaret, you already got the necklace. Let this one go."

"Didn't you say I could have whatever I want?" I smiled sweetly. "I want these earrings. They'd match the necklace I just bought perfectly. Won't you get them for me? Please?"

I watched his conflicted expression, satisfaction swelling in my chest.

Let him choose.

Either keep his promise to his "wife," or let his "true love" have her way.

"Eight hundred thousand." I bid again.

Adrian's hand clenched tight, veins visible.

I was still savoring his pathetic display when—

A cool voice spoke: "I withdraw."

The silver mask lowered her paddle and turned her head slightly to glance in our direction.

I could almost imagine her expression beneath the mask.

Restraint. Yielding. Hurt.

How considerate of her.

Not wanting to put the man she loved in a difficult position, voluntarily stepping back from the competition.

How... nauseating. Their tacit understanding.

I retrieved my paddle, my smile deepening.

The earrings were mine.

And this showdown at the auction was over.

……

After the auction ended, the crowd began to disperse.

I watched the silver-masked woman rise and head toward the back door.

Almost simultaneously, Adrian stood up.

"Margaret," his expression carried a hint of apology, "something urgent came up at the clinic. I need to go handle it. Go home first—I'll have the driver take you."

Another emergency.

There was always an emergency.

"Sure." I nodded obediently. "Go ahead. Stay safe."

He bent to place a perfunctory kiss on my forehead, then hurried away.

In the same direction the silver mask had disappeared.

I sat for a few seconds, then got up and followed.

The corridor was busy with people coming and going. In the distance, I saw Adrian's silhouette turn through a doorway.

The VIP lounge.

I noted the room number—207.

Then I retreated to a corner and took out my phone.

As a member of this city's elite circles, I had my own connections at this club.

After a few phone calls, I had access to the live surveillance feed of Room 207.

The moment the screen lit up, I saw everything.

Inside the room, Eleanor had already removed her mask.

She stood facing Adrian, brow slightly furrowed, expression carrying a hint of grievance and resentment.

Adrian reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"I'm sorry." His voice came through the surveillance, low and full of love—a tone I'd never truly heard before. "You were wronged today."

"I don't care about those things." Eleanor's voice was muffled. "I just... don't like seeing her on your arm. Don't like her being with you, wearing my face."

"It won't be much longer." Adrian cupped her face and kissed her lips.

That kiss was lingering, tender, unreserved.

Completely different from the perfunctory kisses he gave me.

I watched the screen, my fingertips turning white.

"How's the adoption going?" Eleanor asked when the kiss ended.

Adrian's face darkened. "She still won't agree."

"What do we do? Noah's starting school soon. He needs a legitimate identity..."

"I know." Adrian cut her off, his voice carrying a hint of ruthlessness. "I don't have time to keep working on her."

He released Eleanor and walked to the window, his back to her.

"Three days from now, I'm hosting an adoption celebration. You'll attend with me."

"Adoption celebration? Both of us?"

"Yes. We'll publicly announce we've adopted a child. I'll get her out of the way beforehand." Adrian turned around. "That day, I'll have people take care of her."

Take care of.

My fingers trembled slightly, but I didn't look away.

"How?" Eleanor's voice dropped, tinged with excitement and tension.

"Kidnapping. Then make her disappear." Adrian's voice was ice-cold, without a ripple of emotion. "The officially announced deceased will be 'Eleanor'—my late sister-in-law, who chose to end her life out of overwhelming grief."

"And me?"

"You'll continue living as 'Margaret.'" Adrian walked toward her and cupped her face. "Take over everything that was hers. Become my legal wife. Sign the adoption agreement. Give Noah a complete family."

Eleanor smiled, that smile particularly jarring on the surveillance feed.

"I've been waiting for this day for so long."

"Three days from now," Adrian kissed her forehead, "it will all be over."

On screen, the two embraced.

Off screen, a new message popped up on my phone.

From Leo the investigator.

Found it. Your car accident wasn't an accident. Someone tampered with it that day—the brake line was deliberately damaged. Also, the driver of the other vehicle died of a "heart attack" two days after the incident. I have key evidence and can hand it over whenever you're ready.

I closed the surveillance feed and stared at the message.

Three days.

They'd given me three days.

I let out a cold laugh, fingers flying across the screen as I replied to Leo's message.

Excellent. Three days from now, I need you to help me with something.

Adrian. Eleanor.

You want to stage a switcheroo? A game of substitution?

Then I'll prepare a truly unforgettable "surprise" for you on your carefully constructed stage.

Just you wait.