abstract painting. She won it for three million dollars. A ripple of polite applause went through the room. She g

de. Finally, the auctioneer announced, "And now fo

es appeared on the screens. A few p

million dollars," the auctionee

om was

paddle in the f

clear, cut through the sil

in her direction. People leaned forward, whispering fur

in an instant. A text message

nsane? Sto

n't loo

ey whispered to Damian, a note of malicious

were locked on his wife, wh

hock, stammered, "I have two hundred

e gavel down when a lazy voice dr

undred

eyes turned upwards. Kian Sterling was leaning casua

o have an aneurysm. "Kian, what are you doing?" he hi

omplication. Kian Sterling's involvem

ze it. She raised her paddle

rs had stopped. People were just staring, m

ned. He looked directly at

he called out, his voi

future rested on this moment. She raised her

bil

The number was so absurd it seemed

d, a soft, genuine laugh. He gave her a slight bow of his hea

vel down with a crack that echoed like a gunsh

andalized chatter. "She's lost her mi

is face a mask of cold rage, stormed t

skin. "One billion for that piece of trash!" he

alse concern. "Eleanor, how could you

, at the simpering girl beside him, a