#Chapter 448: Final Bid

Olivia “Oh my god,” Nathan whispered, his eyes widening as his grip on my waist tightened. “It can’t be…” I was speechless. The moment that Dianna Miller had stepped into the grand hall of the Council building, the room had fallen into a hush. Her heels clicked slowly on the floor, echoing throughout the room. Even the auctioneer had fallen silent. Her presence, as enigmatic as her paintings, sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. I felt a surge of hope when I looked into her eyes—her arrival could change everything. No, it would change everything. As she approached, I saw the nerves in her eyes, the uncertainty of a woman more accustomed to the solitude of her studio than the bustle of a crowded event. Yet, she walked with a grace that hid her nervousness. When she reached Nathan and me, I didn’t hesitate; I wrapped her in a tight hug, gratitude flooding my voice as I whispered in her ear, “Dianna, thank you so much for coming. You have no idea what this means t