Chapter 4

The next day, Aurelia was discharged from the hospital. Damien came to pick her up, but she didn't spare him a glance. Instead, she climbed straight into Owen's car. Owen, ever the charmer, kept the conversation light, cracking jokes the entire ride. But Aurelia couldn't muster even the hint of a smile. "Aury, are you feeling a little off today?" Owen asked gently. "There's an auction this afternoon. Do you want me to take you there? Nothing lifts a woman's mood like a good shopping spree. Just raise your auction paddle, and I'll cover whatever you want." Aurelia shot him a sidelong glare and muttered irritably, "Don't act so generous. You're just spending the Vance family's money." She wouldn't have cared before, but ever since she learned the truth about the child husbands' "secret", it was hard not to. "Hey, don't sell me short," Owen said with a grin. "Damien's not the only genius in the Vance family. I've made solid investments overseas these past few years and earned a good bit too. So, go wild—I can afford you." Aurelia finally cracked a smile. "In that case, I'm bleeding you dry today. Drive. We're going to the auction." The auction hall buzzed with anticipation, packed with elites and socialites from every corner of high society. All eyes were on the most anticipated item of the night—a jewelry set known as "Tears of the Ocean", featuring the largest blue diamond ever discovered, freshly unearthed from a Tamalyan mine. Aurelia adored the sea, and she was determined to claim the piece for herself. But just as she settled into her seat, Damien walked in with Sloane on his arm. The smile on Aurelia's face froze in place. She had a feeling Sloane wouldn't let her have it without a fight. And sure enough, the moment "Tears of the Ocean" was presented, Sloane raised her paddle. But soon, she noticed that Aurelia had raised hers as well. After a brief hesitation, Sloane slowly lowered hers, her eyes faintly red. "So… Aury wants 'Tears of the Ocean' too," she said with a fragile smile. "Then I won't bid anymore. I could never take something Aury likes." Her gaze dropped as she spoke, tears shimmering in her eyes, looking heartbreakingly pitiful. Damien's face darkened instantly. The look he shot Aurelia was sharp, unmistakably laced with disgust. "Sloane, as long as I'm here, there's no reason for you to compromise," he said. "If you want something, go for it. I'll always have your back." Then, without giving her a chance to reply, Damien raised his paddle. "One million dollars." The entire auction hall fell into stunned silence. A few socialites gasped aloud, their eyes wide at the jaw-dropping number. But as the shock faded, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. "Isn't Damien one of Aurelia's child husbands? Why is he bidding on jewelry for another woman?" "And not just any piece—it's the exact one Aurelia had her eye on. Isn't that a public slap in the face?" "Poor Aurelia Vance... born into wealth and power, only to be humiliated by her own 'husband.'" Aurelia clenched her fists in silence. She had been raised like royalty and doted on by Harrison her whole life. But Damien had just made her a spectacle. The burn of humiliation crept up her spine. Then, in a flash of fury, she raised her hand and dropped a bombshell bid—because no one got to humiliate her without a fight.