The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 603

Abby couldn't make sense of what Haynes was doing.

"What's up with Haynes? Is he bidding on Aurora's painting too? And since when are those two so chummy?"

A new thought struck her. "Wait, you don't think he's got a thing for Aurora, do you?"

Abby and Stella were the kind of friends who shared everything, and just as Haynes knew about Stella's background, Abby did too.

Stella's surprise faded. She shrugged, her voice calm. "Last time, he needed a favor with the guest list and tracked down Aurora for help. Maybe now he just wants to return the favor."

Abby snorted. "What a convenient way to play the good guy."

On stage, Sherman didn't seem the least bit annoyed to have a rival bidder; in fact, he looked genuinely pleased.

If someone was willing to compete, it meant Aurora's work was truly valued.

He quickly raised his paddle to ten million.

Haynes countered with twelve million.

Their rapid-fire bidding war made most of the other buyers back off immediately.

Sure, they were wealthy-but not out of their minds.

snatch up a real old master from Europe. No matter how good

the room who genuinely loved Aurora's work-

reached fifteen million, both Haynes and Sherman put

sold

few more antique paintings went up for auction after Aurora's, but none by famous hands, so the highest any fetched was just over ten million—still less than

all of this, Abby couldn't help but

that 'Blossom' of Aurora's doesn't look like it's worth millions to me. It's just Haynes and Sherman jacking up the price and scaring

hour later, the

everyone was

out of the restroom when

"It's Mr. Burton. Go on ahead, I'll

and Stella found a quiet spot before

"Mr. Burton."

came through. "Stella, you remember our talk about that blind

eyelid twitched-she remembered meeting

"...I remember."

finally wrapped up what he had on

do you have time

you

you two

was clearly determined to see this

had already agreed in principle,