Chapter 119 An Unaccountable Guilty Conscience
Vincent recognized it immediately — that jade jewelry set was the one he'd given Daisy when they got engaged.
He'd assumed she came back for it last time because she wanted to keep it as a memento. After all, with the salary Reed Corporation paid her, she couldn't possibly be short on money.
Especially now that Reed Corporation was backing all her projects — money was definitely not an issue.
So why would she sell it? Was she really that desperate to... to cut all ties?
His breathing grew heavier. He turned to look for Daisy, but Vanessa was blocking his view.
Vanessa caught his gaze and turned to him. "What's wrong?"
Vincent cleared his throat. "What do you think of this one?"
Vanessa frowned. "You know me — jade looks no different from a plain rock to me. I'd much rather have gemstones."
Vincent said nothing. He stared at the jade set, glowing green under the lights like a still pool of water.
He couldn't help thinking back six years, to the moment he gave it to Daisy. The way her face lit up when she opened the box — that was the first time he'd ever seen someone's eyes shine like that.
She'd said she would treasure it always. She'd even said she wanted to be buried with it when she died, so it could be with her forever.
If she loved it that much, why sell it?
Almost without thinking, he raised his paddle.
The auctioneer called out immediately, "Bidder number nine — 130 million!"
The room went quiet for a moment. Every eye turned toward him.
130 million, after all. Even among the wealthy crowd gathered here today, few people would spend that kind of money on jewelry without so much as blinking.
Daisy was sitting a few rows ahead. When she heard his voice, her back stiffened.
She didn't look at him, but her fingers tightened around the hem of her dress without her realizing it.
Vincent had never collected jewelry. Why would he suddenly bid? Did he recognize it?
In that moment, Daisy felt a strange, creeping guilt — like she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't have.
She started to feel restless, her mind spinning through what she would say if Vincent brought it up later.
Felix noticed right away that something was off. He leaned in and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"
Daisy shook her head. "Nothing."
"Nothing? You're squirming like you're sitting on pins. Is it because of Vincent?"
Daisy sighed and told him the whole story, then smiled. "I don't really have anything to feel guilty about. I'm the one who owns that jewelry now. He'd have no nerve asking for it back. He's probably just bidding out of pride."
While they were talking, the price had climbed to 160 million. The Chinese-American bidder who'd been going head-to-head with Vincent finally gave up, and the auctioneer was about to bring down the hammer.
Felix raised his paddle. "170 million."
One jump of ten million. A small ripple of excitement ran through the room.
Vincent didn't look at him. He raised his paddle again. "180 million."
Felix smiled and kept going.
The two men, separated by several rows, traded bids back and forth, the price shooting up like a rocket.
Everyone in the room was watching, whispering among themselves.
Vanessa sat rigid beside Vincent, every muscle in her body tense.
She studied his profile — his jaw was tight, his lips pressed into a thin line.
When Vincent raised his paddle again, Vanessa grabbed his hand. "Enough!"
Vincent glanced at her. Her beautiful face had twisted slightly, teeth nearly clenched.
"Enough. I don't want it."
Vincent hesitated. The auctioneer had already raised the hammer. "180 million, going once. Going twice. Going three times!"
The hammer came down with a sharp crack.
"Congratulations to bidder number 17!"
Felix smiled pleasantly and stood up, turning to Vincent. "Better luck next time, Mr. Black."
Vincent's expression shifted. Their eyes met across the room — like two blades clashing, throwing off sparks.
Vanessa had had enough. Not caring what anyone thought, not caring about appearances or interests, she stood up, grabbed her bag, and walked out.
Luna, sitting beside her, called out, "Auntie Vanessa." Vanessa didn't even glance back.
Vincent frowned and got up to follow her.
Daisy watched the two of them leave one after the other, then sank back into her chair and let out a long breath.
She'd been genuinely afraid Felix and Vincent were going to come to blows — she didn't know Felix well enough to predict him, but she knew Vincent, and he'd been close to losing it just now.
What a mess.
She shook her head.
Felix set down his paddle and looked at her. "You okay? You don't look great."
Daisy sighed. "You just spent 180 million on that. Don't you feel like it wasn't worth it?"
Felix laughed. "I like it."
The way he said it — his eyes were almost startlingly bright, like there was a fire burning behind them, full of something fierce and open.
Her heart jumped. She looked away quickly.
Felix noticed the faint flush creeping up to her ears. The corner of his mouth curved, but he didn't say a word.
The auction ended.
Daisy and Felix walked out of the auction house into the snow. Everything was white.
Felix had brought an umbrella — a large black one. He opened it over her head. "Come on, I'll take you home."
"It's fine, I drove."
"What a shame. I was hoping to give you a ride. I even brought a car with a panoramic roof just for the occasion."
Daisy laughed. "Next time. I've actually never been in a car with one of those."
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Meanwhile, Vincent caught up with Vanessa outside, Luna in tow.
She was standing with her back to him beside the car, not saying a word.
Vincent got Luna settled in the car first, then walked over and stood behind her.
"Nessa."
Vanessa didn't turn around. Her voice was cold. "Why did you follow me out? Go back in and keep bidding. Clearly that worthless piece of rock matters more to you than anything else."
Vincent was quiet for a moment, then said, "I gave that jade set to Daisy."
Vanessa turned around, startled — then let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "So that's what she came to pick up that day. What, you saw it at the auction and couldn't stand it?"
Vincent was about to say no, but Vanessa cut him off. "Vincent. Are you still in love with her?"
Vincent didn't answer right away. His lips moved, and after a long pause he said, "Maybe you're right. Maybe I just couldn't stand it. I always thought she still cared — about the marriage, about me and Luna. But now I'm realizing maybe she stopped caring a long time ago."
He gave a short, self-mocking smile. "I guess that means I don't have to keep feeling like I abandoned her. Like I owe her anything."