On the day of the auction, the weather was perfect. The breeze was blowing gently, and everything was bathed in warm spring sunshine. Winter had retreated, and an early spring had arrived.Outside the villa at Verdant Woods, Marisol stood in the sunlight. She was dressed in a beige knit dress that was layered with a soft silk shawl that looked like an ink-wash painting. Her jet-black hair was swept up with a row of pearl pins, and a strand of large, white pearls that gleamed with silky luster wrapped elegantly around her neck.She exuded a quiet, sophisticated beauty. Beside her, Orion held her hand. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored, vintage-inspired blue sweater and matching trousers. The soft sky-blue hue made his small face look even fairer, and he tilted his head up to look at her.He asked, "Mommy, isn't Mr. Calcraft coming with us?"After spending time with Nick and discovering that he was an excellent cook, kind to him, and had a gentle nature, Orion no longer hid fr
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