“Maybe she’s just angry at you. I was the one who pushed too far last night. I shouldn’t have pulled you into my nonsense...”
Owen’s fury gradually settled into icy laughter.
“Fine. Sheryl, I’ll wait and see how long you plan to keep this act going.”
A pack of cigarettes hit my face.
I slowly opened my eyes and met his burning gaze.
“What? Not pretending anymore?” he sneered. “I really underestimated you.”
My throat was dry and raw—I couldn’t speak.
He tossed one last line over his shoulder before leaving the room with Julia in his arms.
“Since you’re awake, come with us to the auction. Help pick out something nice for Julia.”
I didn’t hesitate. I forced myself to stand and followed them.
Back then, in order to save the Carter family from financial ruin, I had sold off the Myers family’s heirloom jade bracelet.
Now that I was leaving, it was time to take it back and return it to its rightful place.
I owed that much to the Myers family.
At the auction, Owen and Julia sat in the front row.
I stood beside them, quietly serving tea.
Around us, whispers spread like wildfire.
Businessmen exchanged knowing glances, their eyes full of disdain and mockery.
A wife lower than a mistress—what a joke.
Yet Owen remained unfazed. With no regard for me, he lavished Julia with affection.
“You must be tired after last night,” he said softly. “Buy whatever you like today. Think of it as my way of making it up to you.”
“Good girls get rewarded. That’s what I love about you.”
Every piece of jewelry that came up for auction was claimed by him without hesitation. His bids lit up the room, one after another.
I no longer had a heartbeat, but I could still feel my body trembling with tension.
Julia, who had started off feigning shyness, quickly grew bold and smug.
Anything she liked, she took.
Owen gave her that confidence—his indulgence was her armor.
He spent over a hundred million without blinking.
Yet his gaze kept drifting to me. Each glance grew darker, more annoyed.
I didn’t look back. I didn’t want to see his face, nor did I care about his mood.
Until the final item was revealed—and for the first time, light returned to my eyes.
“Our last item: a white jade bangle with emerald inlay. Starting bid—five million!”
Without a second’s hesitation, I raised my paddle.
“Ten million.”
A flicker of jealousy flashed in Julia’s eyes. She clung to Owen’s arm, her tone syrupy sweet.