Chapter 169

"You've got some nerve, Julian, driving up the price just to mess with me?" Alexander shot him a cold look. Julian shrugged like it was no big deal. He'd just been following Chloe's cue—who was he to disobey his idol? "Oh come on, Alexander, what's a couple million to you? Just having a little fun. Look how lively the room got all of a sudden." And yeah, people were definitely more hyped now, but it wasn't just because of Alexander. The real buzz? Elliot showing up at the auction—now that was unexpected. "Now, for our second piece tonight—this one's got a bit of backstory. Bet you didn't know it was inspired by his little junior." As the cover was pulled back, the whole room froze. Elizabeth stared at the piece, completely stunned. "Elliot!" she turned to look at him, her smile stretched just a little too wide to be real. But Elliot, playing innocent, turned his head and pretended none of this was his doing. The piece was a sculpture of a woman. The face was vague, but the shape—there