Chapter 14 The Stolen Crown
Aria tried to break free but couldn't, so she gave up. She didn't want to make a scene, but she stayed silent.
"We need to talk!" Arthur repeated, his voice low enough that only the two of them could hear.
"Talk about what?" Aria kept her eyes on the stage, her tone flat.
"About how you're acting crazy in public? Until you know how to respect your own wife, I don't think we have anything to talk about."
"I already apologized!" Arthur felt his temples throbbing.
"I admit I was impulsive just now. But on an occasion like this, as Mrs. Grant, how can you be so close with another man?"
"That was social etiquette," Aria interrupted him. "Arthur, do I need to teach you? A hand kiss is perfectly normal courtesy. I don't understand what you're so bothered about."
Arthur was left speechless.
Yeah, what was he bothered about?
After calming down, he realized his reaction had been way over the top.
On stage, the auctioneer's voice suddenly rose, taking on an excited tone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next item is tonight's highlight—'The Queen's Glory,' a nineteenth-century antique crown!"
The spotlight hit the display platform. The crown was huge, studded with diamonds, reflecting light so bright it was almost blinding.
Of course, the most eye-catching part was the blue diamond in the center of the crown, as big as a baby's fist.
Perfectly cut, so beautiful it drew gasps of admiration!
Aria's gaze was drawn to it too.
She didn't know much about jewelry, but beauty was universal.
Even by her strictest standards, she had to admit this crown was breathtakingly beautiful.
Arthur looked at her focused profile, and a thought suddenly popped into his head.
What if he bought it for her?
After that awkward scene earlier, she must still be angry.
This crown looked like something she'd like. If he gave it to her, maybe she'd calm down a bit.
"Do you like it?"
His tone carried a hint of showing off, as if the crown was already in his pocket.
Aria nodded. "It is beautiful."
She looked at him. "Are you planning to collect it?"
"I don't have a hobby of collecting jewelry, but I can give it to my legitimate wife."
Aria was surprised, her voice rising. "You mean give it to me?"
Arthur asked back, "Do I have another wife?"
Aria said nothing more.
Arthur looked at her profile, the corner of his lips curving up slightly.
He knew her silence now meant she accepted.
The bidding started at two million.
Naturally, plenty of people were interested in such a precious crown. The price kept climbing and quickly reached five million dollars.
Arthur didn't move until the price stalled around six million dollars. Then he raised his paddle.
"Six million five hundred thousand dollars."
The room went quiet for a moment.
Many people looked up to see who bid. When they saw it was Arthur, they were surprised.
After all, everyone in their circle knew Arthur had never been interested in collecting jewelry.
"Six million eight hundred thousand dollars." The jewelry collector from earlier continued bidding.
"Seven million dollars." Arthur raised his paddle again.
Now no one dared to compete.
Though the antique crown was rare and beautiful, spending seven million dollars on it still made the wealthy people present feel the pinch.
The auctioneer began the countdown. "Seven million dollars once, seven million dollars twice..."
A tearful voice came from nearby. "Arthur..."
Arthur frowned and turned his head.
Sophie had somehow moved to the seat next to him. Her eyes were red from crying, looking pitiful.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing her tears, Arthur's tone softened.
Sophie bit her lip, looking at the crown on stage, tears falling again.
"That crown—it was my grandmother's."
Arthur froze.
"You know my family used to be noble dukes. Later, because of the war, everyone fled south."
"They had no choice but to sell this crown. Before my grandmother died, she kept talking about it. It was her most beloved possession from when she was young."
Sophie sobbed. "Actually, I've been looking for it all these years. I never expected to see it here."
"Arthur, I really want to bring it back. It's the only thing left to remember my grandmother by..."
Arthur fell silent for a moment.
If it were something else, he might not care.
But when it involved a deceased elder's possession...
Come to think of it, he'd met her grandmother a few times as a child. She was a very kind old lady.
If this really was hers, letting Sophie take it back would be returning it to its rightful owner.
He instinctively looked at Aria, whose face showed no expression, her eyes indifferent.
"Arthur..." Sophie called softly again, her voice hoarse.
The auctioneer was about to drop the hammer.
Arthur closed his eyes. "Alright, I'll let you have it."
Sophie quickly raised her paddle.
But her gaze wasn't on the stage—she was secretly observing the expressions of the two people beside her.
Aria seemed completely unbothered.
When the auctioneer's hammer fell, Sophie was satisfied and broke into a smile through her tears.
"Arthur, thank you so much!"
Arthur acknowledged with a sound, letting her hug him, but his eyes unconsciously fell on Aria.
Unfortunately, the remaining items were all land, stocks, houses, and the like. No more jewelry.
He barely made it through to the end of the auction, when the free mingling time began.
Arthur was about to properly apologize to Aria and discuss the divorce, but Sophie pulled him aside.
"Arthur, I just went to handle the paperwork, but..."
She looked troubled. "My card doesn't have enough credit. I'm still short over two million... It's all your fault! You drove the price up so high. Could you..."
"Could you cover it for me first? I'll definitely pay you back next month."
Arthur sighed and signaled his assistant to handle it.
"Thank you!" Sophie was so happy she nearly jumped.
She pulled him along, talking non-stop.
About how much her grandmother had loved him when she was alive, how important this crown was to the family, and how grateful she was to him.
Arthur listened, but his mind wandered.
He searched urgently through the crowd for Aria, but still couldn't find her.