Chapter 161

Elodie was taken aback by Esmeralda's words and sat in stunned silence for a long moment.

Could it really be true?

Her gaze darkened as she looked ahead at Jarrod.

In that instant, she couldn't read him at all-he was a closed book to her.

If Esmeralda's guess was right...

Then Jarrod wasn't just humiliating her he was openly disgracing the Thorne family.

She couldn't bear the thought of her mother's wedding ring ending up on Selma's daughter's finger.

"Elodie, let's try to think of another way," Esmeralda said, her face etched with worry as she noticed how pale Elodie had become. Clearly, this blow had hit her hard.

Elodie nodded, forcing herself to stay calm.

There was nothing she could do now but bide her time and look for another opportunity.

The charity gala had its own rules, and she couldn't simply disrupt the proceedings.

She lifted her eyes to the front of the room. Sylvie was in high spirits, chatting animatedly with Jarrod, who sat quietly listening. To any outsider, they looked like

couple-charming, affectionate,

shadows, her disappointment

eyes for a brief moment, gathering herself

in to despair. Even if every road seemed blocked, she would

about to give up on her mother's

wore on. The auction lots donated

the event's hosts, took the stage to announce the evening's final

Seven hundred million.

be distributed to impoverished communities across the country, and to charities supporting orphaned children with

But the highlight was...

Mr. Silverstein and Ms. Fielding, our most generous

Thunderous applause broke out.

Jarrod basked in the

out a soft,

charity gala was nothing like a formal auction-it was

to

"Tonight, since everyone's in such high spirits, we've added a fun new segment! Our distinguished guests can showcase their talents. Whoever wins first place will have five new schools

actually a great idea. It could

to win anything tonight, why not play a piece? Maybe you could help the kids get

was a way to

after the earlier blow. She'd spent the whole evening searching for Fergus and hadn't caught sight of

considered for a moment,

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