Chapter 2

Zoe was done with Southport, but she had one last thing to cross off her list.

In her past life, she hadn't even known about her mom's keepsake until right before she died—found out it had shown up at some auction.

And that auction? Happening exactly three days after the Elite Match Gala.

She threw her last few things into a bag and showed up that night looking drop-dead stunning.

Zoe tuned out the whispers and zeroed in on one thing.

The moment that familiar gemstone bangle popped up, she raised her paddle.

"Three hundred thousand."

It wasn't in the best shape, but she threw out a high bid fast—hoping to lock it down without any fuss.

Right as the gavel started to drop, a voice cut through the room.

"Three-fifty!"

Zoe whipped around and locked eyes with Vicky, who stared her down like it was a game.

Her stomach dropped. She lifted her paddle. "Four hundred."

Vicky fired back. "Five hundred."

Zoe clenched her jaw. "Seven."

The crowd started buzzing. That bangle wasn't worth nearly that much.

Vicky hesitated, lowering her paddle—until a hand stopped her.

Connor.

"One million," he said, cool as ever. "It's just a bangle. If Vicky wants it, no reason to let someone else take it.

"Zoe, don't be difficult. What's hers isn't yours."

His tone was icy, but to Zoe, it felt like a slap.

Zoe stared at him, stunned. "It was mine first!"

Connor's eyes narrowed. "Your dad spoiled you rotten. You've had more jewelry than you can count.

"Vicky got sent away as a kid. She's your sister too, and she had to figure everything out on her own. And now you're really going to fight her over some bangle?"

Zoe met his blank stare, and her whole body went cold.

She flashed back to middle school—some kid had tried to snatch her lottery prize just because he liked it more.

She'd clung to it, crying, too small to fight back.

Connor had stormed in, grabbed the kid by the collar, and snarled, "No one takes what's yours."

That version of him? Long gone.

Now, he barely looked at her. Just flicked his hand.

"I'll take on every bid. Let's not waste time."

The room stirred—everyone got the message. He was locking it down for Vicky.

Zoe's jaw clenched so tight she could taste blood. Rage, grief, and all those buried memories came rushing back.

In her last life, Connor had waved his hand just like that—right before her explicit photos got blasted on a giant public screen.

Zoe let out a bitter laugh, eyes locked on Connor and the pale-faced Vicky.

"Connor, what's the rush? Trying to impress your girl and lovechild already?

"Vicky, just because you're the daughter of a mistress doesn't mean you get to play lady of the house by taking my mother's bangle."

Smack!

The slap echoed like a gunshot. Zoe's head snapped to the side.

She stared at Connor, stunned, caught in the chill of his disgusted glare.

"You've got no manners, Zoe. Talking like that about your own sister—did your mom teach you anything before she died?"

The jab landed hard. Her eyes stung. She glanced at the bangle, vision blurring.

She wanted to speak, to tell him it was the only thing her mom left her—

But before a word could leave her mouth, Connor was already waving security over.

"Get her out. There are rules here. Don't let her crash the party again."