Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 279

Four Years Later

Summer nights in Northborough stretched on and on, the velvet darkness stitched with scattered stars.

At the Northborough International Convention Center, a charity auction was in full swing.

"And next up for bidding, we have a rare porcelain bowl from the late

Renaissance period, restored just two years ago by Ms. Leilani. The craftsmanship is remarkable, and it took her over a year to bring it back to life. Tonight, she's generously put it up for auction, with all proceeds going to our charity event. Bidding starts at three million."

A paddle shot up from the crowd. "Five million!"

Heads turned in unison.

It was Pandora, the poised secretary, holding the paddle. Seated beside her was none other than Garry, the legendary magnate from the Westenmar Foundation.

Everyone in the room knew Garry's reputation: an influential philanthropist with a particular fondness for antiques. Over the years, he'd made substantial contributions to heritage preservation, both at home and abroad.

When Garry set his sights on something, few dared to compete.

The room collectively assumed the porcelain bowl was as good as his.

"Eight million!" came a sudden call.

A ripple of surprise swept through the hall; such a bold jump in price was rare.

Clearly, someone intended to go head-to-head with Garry tonight.

All eyes zeroed in on the challenger.

It was Carl holding the paddle, seated beside Stewart.

Who in Northborough didn't know Stewart? The city's undefeated legal powerhouse, who'd taken the reins of The Wentworth Group just two years prior. Under his leadership, the company had surged ahead, dominating the green energy and technology sectors, ushering in a new era for the Wentworth empire.

A man who commanded both the political and business arenas-mention Stewart's name in any elite circle, and even the most seasoned players would hesitate.

The stage was set: Northborough's "devil in a suit" squaring off against Westenmar's titan.

This was going to be a show.

turned, sizing Stewart

sensing the attention, looked over, their gazes

curled Garry's lips.

the

Ferguson bids

Stewart glanced at Carl.

the paddle again. "Twenty

gavel. "Twenty million! Mr. Wentworth bids twenty million! Will Mr.

simply old friends chatting. "Since when did

his expression unreadable. "It caught

a reason to let it

smile widened. "Well, if Mr.

much, then

end, Stewart claimed the porcelain

Mr. Jacques, the host and director of

so much for

to charity is admirable. I've heard a lot about her over the past two years. If possible, I'd

honest, despite working with Ms. Leilani on several occasions, I've never actually met her in person. I've invited her to many events, but she always

narrowed slightly, but he didn't

he left the auction house, Stewart caught sight

under the streetlights, dressed in an iron-grey suit, a cigar balanced between his

to fetch

of smoke, a mocking smile playing

years and you're

expression remained icy, his gaze unwavering. "Garry, I suppose

reminding the three-year deadline

"That's right, this is the fourth year." He flicked ash

some good news: I'm

Stewart frowned. "To Rosita?"

laughed. "That's right.

this your new way of protecting

wedding's next week-I'll be sure to

Stewart's eyes narrowed.

strolled over to

a backward glance, and Pandora nodded respectfully

glided away, disappearing into the

sleek Maybach