How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 159

Elodie could never mistake that ring.

It was the family heirloom her grandmother had given her mother, Winifred, years ago-worn as a wedding ring ever since. When the Harcourt family's finances hit a rough patch, Malcom had sold the ring to keep the company afloat.

Her mother had been heartbroken for months.

Malcom never consulted her. By the time Winifred realized the ring was gone, it was far too late. No matter how she searched, it had vanished.

That wound between her parents never quite healed, not even as their marriage finally unraveled.

Elodie's grandmother never spoke of it, but Elodie knew she still thought about that ring-she could see it in her eyes.

And yet, after all these years, fate had brought it back, right here at this charity gala.

Something that belonged to the Thorne family was never truly lost.

Even Esmeralda noticed how rattled Elodie was.

Elodie's eyes clouded with emotion, and her hand shook as she gripped her auction paddle. The moment the auctioneer finished speaking, she was ready to raise her bid.

But she didn't get the chance.

row, a hand lifted. "Fifteen million," someone

head snapped

her lips as she watched the ring glint beneath the auction lights. She leaned in toward Jarrod beside her. "The craftsmanship

on the screen, then nodded slightly. "If you

smile widened.

the way the

tightened. She didn't know what Jarrod had said, but a sinking feeling

belonged to the Thorne family. She had

called out,

Heads turned toward her.

narrowed her eyes

even take her

a low whistle. Why did Elodie always jump

Fielding. She can't stand the idea of losing to

lips curled in silent amusement. "Twenty million," she

knuckles whitened.

backing her,

tiny needles pressed into Elodie's chest. Her back was rigid

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