Chapter 5

Vincent's POV

I scoffed. I had never gone to these events before because I had been abandoned in the old residential area to fend for myself. It was a struggle just to keep myself alive.

Dorian knew exactly what had happened, but he still insisted on pretending to be clueless, purposefully twisting my intentions.

As expected, I heard Vanessa let out a mocking scoff a few seconds later. It was obvious she assumed I was attending the auction because of her again.

I wasn't bothered enough to explain myself, so I turned my attention to the stage. Dorian was still chattering away enthusiastically next to me as if our quarrel from two days ago never happened.

"What are you planning to buy during the auction, Vince? Vanessa has decided to buy some jewelry for me as engagement presents," he said, not even bothering to hide the smugness in his voice.

Fortunately, the auctioneer announced that the auction would be starting shortly, interrupting Dorian's pointless one-sided conversation.

The first item was quickly brought up onto the stage. It was an emerald-encrusted watch. I had no interest in it, but I still spared it a few glances.

Vanessa raised her paddle a second later. "100,000 dollars," she said calmly, instantly beating everybody else's bids.

In the end, she won the watch and had her assistant, Iris Kingsley, hand it to Dorian.

Dorian's eyes were crinkled into crescents as he said, "You're so good to me, Vanessa."

For the next few items, Vanessa raised her paddle every time I spared them an extra glance. Dorian would look at me smugly whenever she won a bid.

The other guests quickly noticed what was going on. They looked at me with interest sparkling in their eyes, lowering their voices to discuss among themselves.

"Is Ms. Sterling showing her support for her fiancé? She keeps outbidding Vincent."

"Showing support? I think Ms. Sterling is expressing her own frustrations. She was the only one who didn't shun Vincent when he weighed 220 pounds. She was even getting ready to marry him when he abandoned her and left the country without a word.

"He was probably consumed by regret after hearing that Ms. Sterling is getting married soon. That's why he came back to get her back. He's so shameless."

"Did he come back to crash the engagement party? That makes him no different than a kept lover. How disgusting!"

Their words were like needles that stabbed themselves into my heart. I bit my lip and told myself to stay calm. Mom's emerald pendant that should be coming up soon was the most important.

Finally, the auctioneer held up a velvet box. "The next item is an emerald pendant from a bygone era. It has been perfectly preserved. The starting bid is 120 thousand dollars."

My breath hitched in my throat the moment the velvet box was opened. A vibrant and glimmering emerald pendant was nestled inside. It was the same one that Mom used to wear.

I immediately raised my paddle. "200 thousand."

Vanessa's voice immediately rang across the room. "300 thousand."

I turned to look at her, but she wasn't looking at me. Instead, her eyes were on Dorian as if asking for his opinion. When Dorian smiled and nodded, she raised her paddle again, saying, "500 thousand."

"600 thousand," I said, tightening my grip on the paddle to the point that my knuckles turned white.

The pendant was Mom's only keepsake. I couldn't give up.

"800 thousand," Vanessa said lightly in a tone that made it clear that there would be no room for compromise.

Chaos erupted in the auction hall.

"Is Ms. Sterling planning to buy out the entire venue?" someone whispered.

My throat tightened as I looked at Vanessa. "That's Mom's keepsake, Vanessa. Can you—"

"Keepsake?" Vanessa repeated as she finally looked at me, the corners of her lips curling up into a frosty smile. "Win the bid if you want it, Vincent. Don't put on that pitiful act if you don't think that you can win."

She then raised her hand and said to the auctioneer, "I'll pay the highest price for it."

Her words made her intentions clear. Vanessa was determined to win the bid and willing to pay a higher price, no matter what anyone else offered.

The auctioneer was briefly stunned, then smiled and said, "Ms. Sterling has offered to pay the highest price, which means that this emerald pendant belongs to her now!"

Dorian grabbed Vanessa's hand with sparkling eyes. "You're amazing, Vanessa! That pendant is so beautiful. I'm going to place it in our new home."

My entire body felt cold as I sat in my seat and watched them intertwine their fingers. It felt as if a part of my heart had been hollowed out.

After the auction ended, I stopped Dorian when Vanessa went to pay for the items. He held the velvet box and wore a pleased smile. "Did you need something, Vince?"

"Sell the pendant to me," I said in a shaky voice. "I'm willing to pay any price. I'll give you double, no, triple the money for it."

Dorian arched his brow and intentionally opened the box, revealing the emerald pendant. "You want it, Vince? Sure. I can consider giving it to you if you get on your knees and beg me for it."

The other guests looked at us with anticipation written all over their faces.

I curled my hands into tight fists, digging my nails into my palms. Mom's keepsake was right in front of me. I couldn't give up.

I bent my knees and kneeled on the floor.