oncrete floor, hunger gnawing at her, the chill making her fractured wrist a

to reflect," he said, h

g. Reflection had only hardened her resol

ry box to her room. "Mr. Hayes expects you to accompany him to the Children's

n. The jewelry was understated, expensive. An attempt at

tted Tiffany across the room. She was preening in a vibrant, daringly cut dress, a spectacular diamond necklace – one Sarah recognized fr

s follo

than Hayes wi

fany Vance... wi

not trying to

d close. "Don't be so petty, Sarah. Tiffany is m

hrough the motions. She endured the stares, the whispered judgments about her, about Tiffany,

n a whim, bid on a small, charming

from Mrs. Hayes," th

voice called out. Tiffany Vance, smiling sweetly at

sement went thr

her paddle. "

llar!" Tiffany chirped a

, Tiffany always adding just one dollar, her eye

ion to build a new children's wing for a hospital – she waited for the

m for an unlimited, all-in bid that effectively ends the auction for that item. "My h

his face. Tiffany's smile froze. Under the rules of this particular auction, the "sky lantern" bid was a power move, often used by major philanthropis

I... I don't feel well," she gasped, tears welling in her

f pure venom, grabbed her uninjured wrist, his grip lik

and hurried after Tiffany, his voice carrying back,

othing but a weary disgust. Her departure couldn't be more

ning to a blaring new

lionaire's Wife Up for Clandestine Auctio

ere was only one person who

ha