Chapter 191 The Auction

I used to focus solely on cheering Lila on, never thinking too much about it. But after Kenny's comment, I took a closer look at her messages—and suddenly, I realized. The feelings she had for me had been there all along, hidden between the lines. Maybe that night when she won the competition, she had planned to confess. Or maybe she had something else in mind—some big emotional gesture. A heavy weight settled in my chest, and I frowned. I had no idea how to respond. I originally planned to sort out the show's scheduling issues and then visit her at the hospital for a proper conversation. I wanted to clear things up. But she was still in high spirits and not fully recovered yet. If I rejected her now, would it hit her too hard? Would it affect her performance in the competition? On the other hand, if I left things unsaid—well, I was divorced now. What if she acted on impulse and staged some grand confession at the award ceremony? How the hell would I handle that? I could brush off other people without hesitation, and reject them decisively. But Lila? I owed her too much. I couldn't just disregard her feelings. In the end, I clumsily changed the subject. "Lila, the auction starts today. I need to get going. I'll come see you after it's over. Get some rest in the meantime." She simply replied, "Okay." … On the way to the auction, my cough was relentless. Clover handed me a thermos, grinning. "Here, Owen. Drink some water and talk less. I put some cranberries in there for you—thoughtful, right?" I gave her a thumbs-up, teasing, "What? Did you master this skill by dating 10 boyfriends a month?" Clover's eyes widened instantly, and a deep blush spread across her fair cheeks. She puffed out her chest and protested, "Who's spreading that nonsense? I don't go through that many guys in a month! It's all just for fun. I don't even let them add me on WhatsApp! "Grandpa is super strict. He won't allow anyone in the Jackman family to be lovesick fools, let alone some fickle heartbreaker. If I go against his rules, he would probably break my legs!" So, he was that strict, huh? It looked like my mom must have really hurt him. I raised a brow and glanced at Clover's puffed-up, indignant face. I nearly laughed out loud. So she wasn't some flirt master after all. Even Yvette's intel had its flaws. Or had she spread those rumors herself? She rolled up her sleeves, ready for a fight. "Who told you that? Who's ruining my reputation? I swear I'll make them pay!" I looked her in the eye and said without hesitation, "Yvette. Please, I beg you, teach her a lesson—" Clover froze, then instantly started whining. "Ugh, of course it was her! Why would she make something up like that? She's so mean. Let's not get involved with her anymore, okay?" I chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Okay." … Not long after, we arrived at the auction. Each of us held a booklet detailing the items up for bidding. The piece Cole wanted was third on the list, so I was studying its history when a sharp, all-too-familiar voice rang out behind me. "Owen, what the hell are you doing here?" I turned around abruptly. Not far away stood my ex-mother-in-law—beside an elegantly dressed, wealthy-looking woman. She held a designer handbag, her outfit sophisticated and refined, but her face—despite the meticulous makeup—was twister with fury. The woman next to her smirked, looking me up and down with obvious disdain. "Oh? So this is your son-in-law? Bold of him, parading around with another woman in public. Does Yvette know her husband is out here fooling around?" Clearly embarrassed, Lydia's expression darkened as she strode toward me, raising a hand to slap me. I caught her wrist before she could make contact. Clover's expression instantly turned icy. "Who do you think you are, trying to lay a hand on him? Are you tired of living?" Lydia trembled with rage, and her face flushed red as she glared at me. "Owen, you shameless bastard! After that whole mess on social media, you've already embarrassed the Jenning family enough! And now, you're parading around with another woman in public? "If it weren't for Yvette covering for you, do you think you'd have gotten off so easily last time? And now you're doing this? I swear, I'll make sure she divorces you! Get lost! Get out of here right now!" I was confused. Did Yvette never tell her family about the divorce? I let go of Lydia's wrist and met her gaze coldly. "Mrs. Jenning, you don't need to feel humiliated. Your daughter and I are already divorced. I have nothing to do with the Jenning family anymore. You have no right to interfere in my life." Lydia froze in shock. "Divorced? When did that happen? Why didn't I know?" Then, her expression sharpened into something accusatory. "It must be because you cheated! Yvette must've finally had enough of you! If you're divorced, then you should've left with nothing. Don't even think about taking a single cent from my daughter!" Lydia was truly unbelievable. She looked so polished and elegant, yet the moment she spoke, all that refinement vanished. The way she spat those words—where was the grace of a wealthy socialite? People nearby began to watch us. For Alex's sake, I suppressed my irritation and decided to give her one last shred of dignity. "We divorced amicably. I didn't take a single cent from her. Are you satisfied? Now, drop it. There are a lot of important guests here. You don't want to embarrass yourself." Clover scoffed, her arms crossed as she chimed in, "Did you hear that? Now, get lost."