Chapter 115: Undetectable

Shawn's face darkened. He turned sharply toward William, his voice cutting. "William, what the hell is this supposed to mean?"

William turned his head slowly, meeting his gaze. "It's an auction, Mr. Grey. Highest bidder wins. Surely you understand that much."

Shawn's knuckles whitened around his paddle, but with so many eyes on them, he couldn't make a scene. He lowered his voice. "Mr. Scott, this pearl means a lot to my wife. If you're willing to let it go, I can offer you a higher price—or we can discuss other terms."

William smiled faintly. "Mr. Grey, no one said you had to stop bidding. If you really want this pearl, why not remove your limit?"

Recently, the Grey family had been hemorrhaging money due to shareholder disputes. If he went unlimited, he could easily blow through millions.

For a pearl…

When Shawn didn't raise his paddle again, the auctioneer lifted the gavel.

Three sharp strikes.

The Australian white pearl was sold—no limit—to William.

Applause rippled through the crowd.

Shawn bit down hard, turning to Ruth with a wounded expression.

"Babe, I'm sorry. I couldn't get that pearl for you."

Then, with a bitter edge, he added, "And William—you've worked with him so many times, practically old friends. Yet he won't even give up one pearl."

Saying it out loud eased the knot in his chest, just a little.

Ruth would see William for what he really was now. She'd stop getting so close to him.

As long as she kept her distance, tonight's humiliation would be worth it.

Hearing the jab, Ruth almost laughed.

She could see perfectly well that William's real target was Shawn—not her. And now here he was, trying to drive a wedge between them.

What surprised her, though, was that he'd actually humbled himself to beg William earlier.

Once upon a time, that might have moved her. Now? Her heart was calm as still water.

"It's fine. It's just a pearl."

Shawn caught the flatness in her tone. He leaned closer, sliding an arm tight around her waist. "Babe, I promise—when we get back, I'll find you an even better one."

Ruth gave a perfunctory nod.

Backstage, Vivian stood in the shadows, clutching her shawl so hard her knuckles went white. Watching Shawn fawn all over Ruth made her blood boil with resentment.

After the auction ended, guests began filtering out.

Shawn was seething inside, but he kept a polite smile plastered on his face, nodding to familiar acquaintances as they passed.

Ruth walked beside him, acutely aware of his sour mood.

Not that it was any of her concern.

They'd just reached the elevator when a voice called out behind them.

"Ruth! Shawn! Wait up!"

Shawn turned. His buddy Jonathan was jogging toward them.

Jonathan slung an arm around Shawn's shoulders and grinned at Ruth. "Ruth, mind if I borrow Shawn for a bit? The guy just got shown up by William—he's gotta be pissed. I wanna take him out for a drink, let him blow off some steam. That cool with you?"

Shawn glanced at Ruth, hesitating.

Ruth read the room and spoke at just the right moment, her tone soft and understanding. "Go ahead. You should relax tonight. Just don't drink too much—you know how your stomach gets."

As she finished, she reached up and smoothed his crooked collar.

Her thoughtfulness warmed something in Shawn's chest. The edge of his anger—being one-upped by William—dulled just a little.

He caught her hand, reluctant. "You sure you'll be okay going back to the room alone? I can walk you up first."

Ruth smiled and shook her head. "I'm not a kid. Go on—don't keep your friends waiting."

Jonathan chimed in cheerfully, "Don't worry, we'll take good care of him. Won't let him drink too much either."

Ruth nodded, said a few more reassuring words, then headed for the elevator.

Until she was ready to burn this bridge with Shawn, she couldn't let anything slip. For now, she'd just treat it like playing with a dog.

Jonathan dragged Shawn up to the third deck, into a private lounge with solid privacy.

Inside, all their usual crew was already there. The table was lined with open bottles of whiskey.

The second Shawn walked in, someone shoved a glass in his hand. "The man of the hour's finally here! Come on, drink up."

Shawn took the glass and downed a gulp, then dropped onto the center of the couch.

Still simmering, he didn't say much.

Jonathan sat beside him and clapped his shoulder. "Shawn, don't let tonight get to you. William was just trying to piss you off. The madder you get, the more he wins."

He shifted gears smoothly. "Besides, in all of New York, there's only a handful of people who can even compete with you. Why let one guy get under your skin like this?"

Someone else chimed in, "Exactly. Mr. Grey, what's your net worth? It's one pearl. If Ruth wants it, just buy her the whole damn jewelry store."

Their words of reassurance slowly stroked Shawn's ego back into place.

Then the door swung open.

Vivian walked in holding a drink, wearing a low-cut slip dress that showed off her long legs.

Every guy in the room stole a glance, but they all knew she was Shawn's side piece—so they didn't stare.

Vivian's gaze locked onto Shawn. She crossed the room and settled right onto his lap, her voice dripping sweetness. "Shawn, I know you had a rough night, so I came to keep you company. Don't send me away."

She smelled faintly of citrus. Shawn's mind flashed back to her performance onstage earlier—the way she moved. His throat tightened. Heat stirred below his waist.

Jonathan, with impeccable timing, exchanged a knowing look with the others and grinned. "Shawn, I picked a nice private spot for a reason. Do whatever you want. And don't worry—no one's gonna say a word to Ruth."

Vivian's confidence spiked. "Shawn's got all this pent-up frustration… he needs to let it out…"

She wasn't wrong. He did need to blow off steam.

So Shawn didn't push her away.

Vivian's smile turned even more sultry.

'That bitch Ruth is nothing. I'm the woman Shawn really cares about.'

Meanwhile, back in her room, Ruth had just started getting ready to wash up when someone knocked on the door.

She didn't expect Shawn back this soon.

But when she opened it, a man in a sharp suit stood in the hallway.

After a brief introduction, Ruth realized he was Mrs. Crompton's assistant.

"Mrs. Grey, sorry to disturb you. Mrs. Crompton heard you were on the yacht and would like to invite you for a chat."