Rebirth Into My Second Chance

During a lull before the next item went up for auction, Kate dragged Claude into the hallway.

I quietly followed, staying hidden in the shadows to overhear their conversation.

"Claude, don't you think Claire's been acting weird these past few days?" Kate inquired, her voice tinged with concern. "Kate, did you really pull me aside just to talk about this?" Claude replied, his tone a mix of exasperation and disbelief.

Pacing back and forth, Kate didn't respond immediately. The clicking of her high heels echoed in the hallway, betraying her agitation. After a moment, she finally said, "Claude, Claire just said she wants to marry you." Claude let out a long sigh.

"Kate, Claire moved out to prove she doesn't have feelings for me. My mom's been on my case, asking me to sweet-talk her into moving back. Please, stop making a fuss. You know Claire holds a special place in our family." In my past life, I hadn't realized how significant my position was in the Hart family.

But in this life, hearing Claude say those words made it crystal clear.

"Claude, you just see her as a sister, right?" Kate's question echoed my own curiosity.

After a pause, Claude answered, "Yeah."

His response visibly relieved Kate, who then, smiling, said, "Then, can you bid on the queen's tiara for me? I want it as my wedding headpiece."

want," Claude replied,

to the auction room first, Claude's confirmation ringing in my ears. In this life, as long as I didn't insist on marrying him, he probably

As for Kate...

towards the private booths, where Max was sitting behind a sheer curtain, observing from above. His figure was blurred, but I felt strongly that in

could he

my body, slated

destruction by the highest

uncover so

Kate, out of sheer excitement, bid

But I was indifferent.

I was determined to ruin her chances. Before coming here, I had

to get her to blow a ton of money,

competing with me today," Kate mumbled, visibly

the doting fiancé, reassured her, "Don't worry about the cost. As long as you and

and said, "The black card is here. Claude will still buy me

would