Chapter 191

Chapter 191
Morgan's POV

"When the dust settles, if you still want to know who I am, I'll tell you," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I watched him, knowing he was making excuses to keep his identity hidden. The strange thing was, I didn't mind. There was something oddly comforting about his secrecy. He understood how to soothe me without revealing himself—like a ghost who knew exactly what I needed.

"It's a shame I won't get to know you," I said, meaning it. "But I think we have each other now, and that's enough."

He tilted his head, studying me with those unreadable eyes behind his mask. "Tell me something, princess. How much do you think that boy's love is worth to the girl he rescued?"

I stiffened, immediately understanding he meant Alexander and me. The question made me uncomfortable. How much was Alexander's so-called love worth? Nothing. Everything. I couldn't decide.

"You're either feeling guilty about him," Ethan continued when I didn't answer, "or you're worried he won't follow."

"I don't feel guilty about him!" I snapped, louder than intended. "Not one bit."

Ethan smiled, and I realized my reaction had proven his point better than any answer could have. Damn it.

"That boy currently has three billion in liquid assets in his little company," Ethan said, tapping my chin playfully. "Victoria kicked him out of the family business. So any amount under that, and he'll follow."

I felt my eyes widen. "Three billion?! Wait—kicked out?!!"

Ethan adjusted his cufflinks, preparing to leave. The dim lighting in our secluded corner of the auction house cast dramatic shadows across his masked face. "Take them down, princess," Ethan said, his voice like silk wrapped around steel.

After Ethan left, I stayed in our private alcove, my mind racing. Alexander had been kicked out of Reynolds Media? That couldn't be right. He was the CEO, the golden boy. But if Victoria had truly exiled him, that changed everything.

Three billion in liquid assets was staggering—even for Alexander. That kind of cash on hand was risky; it made you vulnerable. I knew Alexander well enough to understand he wouldn't put his entire financial arsenal at risk, even for Olivia. It would leave him exposed to enemies circling for a chance to strike.

This was Ethan's information, though. Was he suggesting I deliver a killing blow to Alexander's finances? It would be good business for Ethan, of course. But was it what I wanted?

I walked back toward the auction floor, my heels clicking against marble. What did I want? The question echoed uncomfortably.

When I returned to the main hall, Alexander was waiting with that infuriatingly calm smile, like a man at peace with whatever judgment I passed. I took my seat and raised my paddle robotically. Alexander followed suit. Even the auctioneer seemed mechanical, aware that everyone was just waiting for the final showdown between two titans.

The ring would be easy to win. But the necklace was the main event.

I wasn't just up against Alexander—I was facing Olivia and the entire Montgomery family backing her. If they legally acquired my mother's necklace, I couldn't live with myself.

Alexander was Olivia's biggest visible card: three billion in liquid assets. If I drained him completely, I'd clear their strongest piece from the board. After that, I'd only need to outbid the Montgomery family for the necklace—maybe half a billion, at most, and not liquid.

But I must have underestimated Robert. The old fox wouldn't play such a simple game. The Montgomerys must have another card hidden.

Jonathan.

Why was Jonathan even here today? The necklace had never interested him before.

If Jonathan helped the Montgomerys drive up the price, I'd have two terrible options: pay a fortune for what was rightfully mine, or watch Olivia get both the necklace and Jonathan's massive financial gift. Neither outcome was acceptable.

My strategic dilemma was clear:

Option one: Eliminate Alexander first, securing the ring. But the Montgomerys might be using Alexander to drain my resources, and if Jonathan stepped in afterward, the necklace price would skyrocket even higher.

Option two: Let Olivia have the ring, saving all my resources for the necklace, hoping Jonathan wouldn't interfere.

The path forward was obvious. I needed to eliminate Alexander's financial resources completely.

And Jonathan remained the wild card—the critical turning point.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Liam's number.

"Morgan!" His voice carried suppressed excitement and surprise. "I'm so happy to take your call—"

"The Montgomery family is auctioning off that necklace," I interrupted, deliberately saying "that" instead of "mom's."

"I know, Dad's already there," Liam replied.

"Why aren't you here?" I demanded.

An awkward pause. "Well, you might want to know: I'm broke. Didn't get an invitation..."

I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly detached. Some useless big brother he was. The heir to the Wallace empire? The genius lawyer? Broke? Unbelievable.

"Anyway," I said, "the Montgomery family wants that necklace, you know that, right? I want to stop that from happening, and you want to... so, truce?"

I considered our sibling relationship. This was how siblings should be—fighting, cold war, making up when needed, especially against parents. At least, that's what I'd seen in movies.

"What do you need me to do?" Liam asked.

"Just get over here and we'll talk. I can get you in, just hurry!"

The auctioneer's voice interrupted. "Three hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars..."

"What's that about three hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars?!" Liam's voice sounded panicked through the phone. "Morgan, do you need money? I might be able to get some soon—"

"Any money you could get wouldn't be as useful as you getting your ass over here, so COME!" I hung up, impatient.

I grabbed the microphone. The room held its breath.

"2.9 billion!" I announced.