"Why did you do that?" Rylan asked, frowning as an uneasy sense of foreboding crept over him. "Did I do something to upset you?"
"My mom saw the tattoo and made me remove it. That's all," Marie replied dismissively. "Why would you think you did something wrong? Is there something you actually did?"
A flicker of guilt passed through Rylan's eyes, but he quickly concealed it behind a relaxed expression. "Of course not. Don't overthink things."
He took her hand, his expression turning concerned. "That must have hurt like hell. Why didn't you tell me? At least let me stay by your side while you went through it. You have no idea how much it hurt me to see those bandages..."
In the past, hearing such words from him might have moved Marie to tears. Now she'd seen through his lies, and her heart had already gone numb.
Noticing her subdued mood, Rylan pulled her into an embrace. "You've been through so much. How about I take you somewhere special to make it up to you?"
Marie instinctively wanted to refuse, but before she could say anything, Rylan had already packed up her belongings. He even knelt to slip her shoes onto her feet.
Marie let him take her to a secret auction house, where the gallery was filled with dazzling displays of exquisite jewelry.
Throughout the visit, Rylan stayed by her side, attending to her every need with almost exaggerated attentiveness. "Whatever catches your eye, just tell me, and I'll get it for you."
One of his friends chimed in with envious grins, "Man, Rylan really spoils you! Don't be shy. If you like something, just let him pull out his card!"
Marie found the entire display suffocating. Knowing that his generosity was nothing more than another performance made it impossible for her to appreciate any of it.
Just then, Coraline walked into the auction house wearing an exquisite, floor-length designer gown.
Rylan froze the moment he saw her, his attention immediately shifting to her. One of his friends hurried over to Coraline and lowered his voice.
"Coraline, what are you doing here? Rylan and Marie are both here today."
"Why shouldn't I be here?" Coraline sneered, casting a dismissive glance at Marie. "You're pretty lucky, Marie. Having a boyfriend who spends so much money buying you whatever you want must be nice."
A strange look flickered across Rylan's face, but Marie barely reacted. "You could always have your boyfriend buy things for you, too."
"He's not quite my boyfriend yet," Coraline said with a grin. "I'm still considering him."
Rylan's brow furrowed at her answer, but Coraline paid him no attention. Instead, she strolled over and sat beside Marie, casually admiring her fresh manicure.
Shortly afterward, the auction began, and the first item was brought onto the stage: a brilliant ruby necklace with an opening bid of one million dollars.
The bidding quickly escalated, eventually reaching eight million dollars.
"I like that one," Coraline remarked casually.
Immediately, a man in a tailored suit raised his paddle. "I'll back the lot! No limit!"
Gasps swept through the room.
The man then approached Coraline and explained, "Our young master gave us explicit instructions. Whatever catches your eye must be secured for you, no matter the price."
Coraline raised an eyebrow and cast a subtle glance at Rylan.
Over the next hour, she claimed more than a dozen items in succession. Even a rare piece valued at seventy million dollars was purchased and added to her personal collection.
As the bidding continued, envious whispers spread throughout the crowd.
"Unbelievable. I've never seen anyone shop at a luxury auction as if it were a thrift store."
Marie remained silent, watching as Rylan secretly acted as Coraline's benefactor, paying the astronomical prices for everything she wanted.
Then the next masterpiece was brought onto the stage, with an estimated value of one hundred million dollars.
Before Marie could fully take in the staggering price, Coraline suddenly grabbed her wrist and forced her hand into the air.
"This lady wants to back the lot!" she announced loudly.
Marie stiffened in shock as every eye in the room turned toward her. Under the weight of so many scrutinizing gazes, she opened her mouth to deny it, but the auctioneer's gavel came down with a sharp crack before she could get a word out.
"Sold to the lady in the corner! Please proceed with payment!"
"No, wait! I didn't..."
Coraline interrupted with an amused laugh.
"Don't tell me you don't have the money."
The moment she said it, judgmental whispers rippled through the crowd.
"She placed an open bid without having the money to pay? Is she out of her mind?"
"Doesn't she know that defaulting on an auction bid can carry serious consequences?"
Cold sweat broke out across Marie's palms.
With the crowd watching and the threat of legal consequences hanging over her, she had no idea how to get herself out of the situation.
Desperate for help, she turned to Rylan, who had promised earlier that she could have anything she wanted simply by asking.
Rylan gave her a reassuring look and reached for his bidding paddle. But before he could raise it, Coraline spoke in a cold, distant voice.
"I despise men who spend money on two women at the same time."
Rylan hesitated, caught between the two of them. Then he slowly lowered his hand and turned toward her with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry, Marie. I don't think I have enough funds on hand to cover this for you."
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