more they gnawed at me, burrowing into my thoughts like a splinter. I tried to push them away, to convince myself it wasn't true. Maybe it wasn't what

green dress appeared in front of me, blocking my path. She was tall and

and authoritative. "I've been looking for Mrs. Jo

n my chest from the confrontation I had just walke

n image of a serene mountain at sunrise. "This pi

explained, my voice steady despite the storm swirling inside me. "It's part of a limited collection.

ldn't help but feel a strange unease watching her scrutinize the work so in

e was calculated as if she already

s one of the higher-priced pieces. The arti

lly, her eyes glinting. "I

y from my turmoil, I nodded. "If you have any

Unlike the other guests, who admired the art with appreciation or curiosity, this man seemed to study it with something else-almost as if he were analyzing

auction is about to begin

ward Desmond and Tila, my gaze drifting to them almost involuntarily. They were standing closer now, laughing together as if nothing in the world could disrup

as palpable as paddles shot up, the auctioneer calling out numbers with rapid precision. But

rs. Do I hear sixty?"

higher, and I could feel my heart race. I knew how important this piece was to Josey. Selling it for a high price wou

le once more. "One hundred and fifty thousa

r any competing bids. "One hundred and fifty thousand going once, going twice.

hand again, her smile tight and controlled. "Before I fina

it clear she wasn't going to let this go without scrutiny. The

the air grew thicker with tension. "There's no need for that, madam," she s

'm sure it is," she replied, her voice laced with skep

began examining the painting closely, running his fingers along the edges of the frame as if searching for

ghly unnecessary," she said, her voice losing it

whispering something to the woman in green. My stomach twisted as I wa

said loudly, her voice cuttin

crowd. The air seemed to freeze, an

nce slipping away entirely. "That's impossi

elligence. The paint is cheap, the strokes lack precision, an

efore she could finish, the woman raised her hand and slapped he

was dea

woman hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "You'v

lief. She couldn't speak. The crowd was still, no one da

s be a lesson. Always know what you're buying. And to those running th

of the room. The crowd remained frozen for a moment before whispers

humiliation unfold in front of me. She stood there, eyes wide, her compos