hen table. When Chloe came downstairs, she looked up with a wo

apron. "She's right. A girl your age should be in colleg

oe's chest. "Thank you," she said, her smile genuine. "But I

plan, but they

an old friend and would be back late. Helen fu

ged from the shadows. She had changed into a simple hoodie,

ndoned bar. A long, dark corridor opened

l marketplace for the ultra-rich, trading in p

patrons to the vendors, wore masks-Venetian,

n clothes made her stick out, drawing curi

to a stall named "

ooked her up and down with open disdain. "Looking

t," Chloe said,

e, the green stone seeming to glow from within. "Ah, a woman of taste. A true treasure. The startin

The stone was cool and smooth

he said, placing i

kid," Finch snapped, r

d into her pocket and placed

black. An American E

his face. His entire demeanor shifted from

ered. "However, the bracelet is now part of tonight's main auction.

r card. "When does

of the auction hall, Chloe watched

ask, watched from a private VIP booth on the sec

tem. The bidding started at

million. Five. Eight. Chloe nev

eight million, she raised he

, her voice carrying cl

the room. All eyes swiveled to

her face clearly, but there was something familiar abou

" a portly man i

Chloe countered w

s the auctioneer was about to close,

las announced, on Ad

nsely interested in the girl downstairs. He wanted to se