Chapter 79
Just as Heidi prepared to claim the lace shawl, Stanley Powell unexpectedly entered the bidding.
"Ten million dollars."
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses while looking pointedly at Arthur, his smile deceptively pleasant.
"Perhaps you'd consider letting this one go, Mr. Windsor?"
Arthur's lips curved slightly. "Next time, certainly."
"Fifteen million dollars," he countered smoothly.
Stanley studied Arthur for a moment before falling silent. He could continue bidding, but deemed it pointless.
Caroline's heart sank. Of the three items she'd hoped to acquire, two were now in Heidi's possession.
Was she destined to leave empty-handed tonight?
Several more lots passed with Caroline barely paying attention. Heidi, too, seemed to have lost interest in bidding.
Then the hundred-year ginseng root appeared, immediately recapturing Caroline's focus.
"Five million dollars," she bid promptly.
Caroline noticed Heidi glancing in her direction and felt a sense of foreboding.
A moment later, Heidi spoke. "Ten million dollars."
Becky slammed her hand on the table in frustration. "Damn it! She's doing this deliberately!"
Her outburst drew numerous stares from nearby attendees.
Caroline observed an unsettling change in Stanley's expression—a flash of dark possessiveness crossing his features before his pleasant smile returned.
For a moment, she wondered if she'd imagined it.
The auctioneer's voice pulled her attention back to the bidding.
"Eleven million dollars," Caroline continued, determined.
"Fifteen million dollars," Heidi responded without hesitation.
Becky watched anxiously. "Caroline, why not call Arthur?"
Caroline pressed her lips together before retrieving her phone and dialing.
In the front row VIP section, Arthur's phone rang. He glanced at the screen before silencing it.
Caroline felt a chill spread through her chest, though she wasn't surprised. This was entirely consistent with how Arthur treated her—she was invisible to him, her feelings irrelevant, her calls unworthy of answering.
Witnessing this, Becky nearly erupted.
Caroline shook her head gently. "It's fine. I'll find a more suitable birthday gift elsewhere."
Ultimately, the ginseng also went to Heidi.
When the auction concluded, attendees were permitted to circulate though not yet leave the venue.
Caroline, feeling suffocated, pulled Becky toward the exit.
They had barely reached the doorway when a measured male voice spoke behind them.
"Becky, where do you think you're going?"
Becky froze momentarily before spinning around with manufactured delight.
"Stanley! What a coincidence! You're here too? Did you acquire anything interesting?"
Stanley ruffled her hair affectionately. "I'm regretting not securing that ginseng for you—might have improved your brain function."
Becky rolled her eyes. "You're the one needing brain supplements, useless man. You couldn't even outbid a woman!"
All three auction items Caroline wanted had gone to "that mistress," and the thought infuriated her.
Stanley remained remarkably calm. "If you truly wanted them, I could commission similar pieces."
"I don't want replicas of what I've already seen. I refuse to accept counterfeits," Becky snapped, seemingly intent on provoking Stanley.
This behavior contradicted her earlier fear of being discovered by him.
In the next moment, Stanley's expression darkened as he hoisted Becky over his shoulder.
He delivered a sharp smack to her backside. "You've clearly enjoyed too much freedom lately. Have you forgotten your manners?"
Caroline stared in astonishment.
She recalled Becky explaining Stanley's background previously.
Stanley was actually the Powell family's adopted son.
The Powell family had only one biological child—Becky—whose parents had died when she was young. Stanley was an orphan Becky had brought home, who later became the Powell family's heir.
Rumors suggested Stanley was actually Becky's childhood betrothed.
Before Caroline could process this further, Becky called out while struggling against Stanley's grip.
"Caroline! Don't forget our shopping trip tomorrow!"
Caroline nodded in acknowledgment.
Just then, Arthur and Heidi emerged from the auction hall with several companions, engaged in conversation.
Someone greeted Arthur, causing him to turn in Caroline's direction. Their eyes met briefly.
Caroline quickly averted her gaze.
Arthur likewise looked away, returning to his conversation.
Heidi, noticing Arthur's dismissive treatment of Caroline, allowed herself a satisfied smile.
Caroline, familiar to this invisibility, turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Still, the month-long wait for their court date felt interminable.
If possible, she wished Arthur would sign the divorce papers voluntarily, avoiding a courtroom confrontation.
But she maintained the legal proceedings as her fallback option.
This marriage had to end, one way or another.
Unfamiliar with The Aurelia Gala's layout, Caroline wandered into a small courtyard where a kindly-looking elderly man sat playing chess against himself.
Intrigued, she approached and observed his game.
After several minutes, the sound of approaching voices drew her attention.
Arthur's group entered the courtyard, including Heidi, Stanley, and Clinton, along with Arthur's other associates.
Caroline considered asking Stanley about Becky's whereabouts but noticed the suggestive red marks on his neck and decided against it.
Her friend's relationship with her brother was something Becky should explain when ready.
As the group entered, Caroline realized they had come specifically to see the elderly chess player.
They stood respectfully before him. "Mr. Griffith."
Caroline's breath caught. She recalled that one of the world's foremost calligraphy masters shared that surname.
Could this be the renowned artist himself?
While she pondered this, Heidi approached her directly. "Caroline, are you interested in chess?"
Caroline pressed her lips together. "Yes, I am."
Something peculiar flickered in Heidi's eyes as she raised her voice. "Caroline, you intend to seek Mr. Griffith's guidance? How unexpected—you have been hiding talents from us! None of us last two rounds against Mr. Griffith. You must be extraordinarily confident."
Her deliberately loud comment ensured everyone heard.
The group turned to Caroline with skeptical expressions.
"Who does she think she is, challenging Mr. Griffith? Pretty face but empty head?"
"Exactly! The audacity to challenge Mr. Griffith! Whose guest is she? Someone should remove her!"
Caroline noticed Arthur's dark, penetrating gaze fixed upon her, radiating disapproval and scrutiny.
He seemed to be accusing her of overreaching.
Yet she had said nothing to warrant this. Not that anyone would believe her.
Gareth Griffith looked up at Caroline. "You play chess? Would you care to join me for a game?"
Caroline nodded and took the seat opposite him.
Clinton scoffed audibly. "Caroline, know your limitations. Don't embarrass yourself by not even understanding the basic rules."