After the Vows Burned

I stood in front of a massive nude portrait.

The painting was so realistic that anyone could immediately see that the woman in it was me.

The mocking voices around me never stopped.

“Mr. Fuller, the Jackson Group just got involved in a tax scandal a few days ago, and a grave was accidentally dug up on the land they just bought. The project was halted and their capital is running low. Raquel Jackson is so broke that she might even have to sell herself soon. She wouldn’t have the money to win the bids now, would she?”

“Exactly. With the crowd hyping it up, just this painting alone could sell for millions. Even if she wants to win the bid, she can’t afford it.”

“But if Ms. Jackson is willing to spend a night with me, I wouldn’t mind helping her win one.”

The moment he finished his sentence, the entire exhibition hall entered a state of uproar.

Countless malicious gazes fell on me, as if I were some irresistible commodity on display.

Matthew Fuller merely raised a brow at the comment, not the least bit angry.

“Not a bad idea… though it still depends on whether she is willing to accept it.

“What I can guarantee is whoever buys a painting gets the original video for free and a pair of pantyhose with her scent on it. The videos of these 520 pieces are spectacular. You won’t be disappointed.”

Several men’s eyes glowed upon hearing that.

“After what you just said, I almost wanted to buy all 520 paintings myself. Unfortunately though, the only person here who could afford that is you, Mr. Fuller… You’re not going to bid against us, are you?”

Tiara Yorks smiled. “These artworks are here for everyone to appreciate and bid on. Matthew isn’t going to buy them back, of course.”

“Today, the Fuller Group won’t participate in a single auction. Each painting will go to whoever has the ability to win the bids!”

I felt like I had fallen into an icy abyss, my entire body shivering in fear.

In my panic, I accidentally knocked over a vase on display. It shattered, and the shards cut my hand.

The noise drew everyone’s attention.

“Raquel, are you that excited to see yourself turned into artwork?” Tiara’s voice dripped with mockery; her expression was one of gloating.

“Didn’t you like winning bids? Go on and try that again today.”

Matthew shot me an indifferent look. “That vase is worth 10 million. I expect you to compensate the full amount, Ms. Jackson.”

The crowd burst into laughter again.

“Starting off with a 10 million loss… Ms. Jackson has only a little over 90 million left in her accounts. With more than five hundred paintings here, she would be lucky to buy even two.”

“Mr. Fuller really is ruthless to his wife. If he hadn’t kept the issues with that land a secret, the Jackson Group wouldn’t be on the verge of bankruptcy today. She’d still be the pampered heiress who could win every bid for these works of art.”

At those words, I froze in place.

Seconds passed.

One second. Two seconds.

I stared at Matthew in disbelief.

“So you knew from the beginning that the land the Jackson Group bought had problems? That’s why you withdrew your investment midway?”

Matthew’s lips curled up slightly, his eyes filled with disdain and a tinge of hidden hatred.

I struggled to calm my mind. My voice was hoarse.

“Why? Why would you do this to me??

“Was it really because, when we first married, I didn’t give that painting to Tiara? Is that why you’re taking revenge on me?”

Two years ago, I wanted to buy a painting for our home as newlyweds, but Tiara had deliberately bid against me, raising the price by just one dollar each time. She did it over and over, so I bought out the painting in anger.