Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 78

Unbeknownst to them, time slipped away unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the bidding had arrived.

Sherri was filled with sheer delight, beaming like a child.

She twirled in front of the mirror, unable to contain her excitement. The reason for her joy was the limited-edition dress that Edward had purchased for her to wear at the bidding event. Notably, it was the same design as the one worn by Natalie, affectionately known as the sister dress. One was a delicate shade of blue, while the other boasted a soft, creamy hue.

Without a doubt, Sherri had chosen the pale blue one.

Meanwhile. Natalie had already finished her makeup and sat primly on the bed, waiting patiently for Sherri. She had been waiting for half an hour while Sherri meticulously curled her eyelashes, taking her time with every detail.

Completely unaware of the passing time, Sherri didn’t consider the minutes ticking by. For a woman, getting dressed and applying makeup was an effortless endeavor, as if time had no hold on her.

Looking beautiful was all that mattered,

Natalie felt reluctant to remund Sherri. ‘Sherri, we’re attending a bidding event, not a beauty pageant. You already look stunning. Even the celebrities walking the red carpet can’t compare to you.”

Sherri had an air of confidence, proudly stating, “Absolutely! You have great taste. But I can’t afford to embarrass Edward. What if I run into my future sister-in-law? I can’t risk looking anything less than perfect”

Deep down, Sherri always had a nagging feeling that Edward had a girlfriend overseas!

Feeling tired, Natalie propped her chin up and said. “You keep going. I’ll grab a drink to wake myself up. I haven’t had a single sip of water since I woke up this morning.”

“Hey, Natalie, does my makeup look good? Are my lashes curled enough?”

Natalie glanced up and commented, “Looks good. No need to curl them anymore. They’re reaching for the sky”

Sherri was in high spirits and didn’t pay much attention to Natalie’s hidden implications.

Edward had been waiting downstairs for an hour without making a single phone call. He sat in the passenger seat, patiently

waiting

Meanwhile, Kyle, showing no sense of urgency, reclined in his seat with his eyes half-closed, nearly drifting off to sleep. Once Sherri and Natalie finished their preparations, they spotted Edward’s Maybach downstairs. Opening the car doors, they carefully adjusted their dresses before stepping inside.

Edward, you’re here so early”

“Yeah”

With everyone seated, Kyle started the car engine and headed toward the Grand Manor Hotel

The bidding event was being held in the penthouse conference room of the Grand Manor Hotel.

Natalie, who had a late shaft that evening, was anxious about possibly being late. “Edward, what time does the bidding event wrap up?”

Edward turned his head slightly and spoke in a reassuring tone, “Worried about being late for work?”

Natalie answered honestly. “Yes.”

“Don’t worry. It will be over before dinner. The results will be announced, and after that. I’ll drop you off at the hospital

“Oh, alright.”

The entrance of the Grand Manor Hotel was bustling with activity as one luxury car after another pulled into the parking lot. The available spaces quickly filled up, indicating a significant turnout for the bidding event.

capture the scene. Natalie couldn’t help but

quite the spectacle!

are you sure

swiftly changed the subject. “Oh, it doesn’t matter. As long as I’m here with Edward, the event’s size doesn’t matter. Besides, we’re both single, so let’s enjoy ourselves,

did have reservations, mainly when

they had already arrived, returning now wasn’t

leaned in to reassure her, “Don’t worry. Sit beside me in a little while. Once the official list is announced, we

Natalie nodded.

hall, their eyes were met with a sea of people, a dense crowd that stretched as

questioning the sheer number of attendees. Were they all here for the bidding? Was this event intended to be small-scale, or had it unexpectedly become something more

in Sherri’s mind. How had so many

not thoroughly

to Edward and whispered. “There’s a significant number of attendees from outside Athana today,

events. “It’s to be expected. Everyone wants a slice of the pie.”

of them settled into their

Soon enough,

procession of individuals made their grand entrance through the doors. Leading the way was a distinguished man dressed in a sleek black suit. He casually strolled toward the front row, his hands nonchalantly

and appeared surprisingly composed and focused. Like Frank, his hands were in his pockets, his face betraying no emotion.

had intertwined their paths once again

the woman seated next to Sherri

hair cascaded

her, his countenance calm and unruffled, as if they

couldn’t help but feel a momentary surprise. “Aren’t there other

composed demeanor, her

seats remaining, she wondered why

expression betrayed no intention of initiating a conversation or showing any particular interest in Natalie.

Hackett sat on the row’s outer

to contain his curiosity, Hackett leaned in and

him. ‘Former

went

marital status at such a formal

calm as he sat beside her. Throughout the event, he didn’t exchange words or betray emotions. Even when Sherri and Natalie exchanged brief remarks,

ease the initial awkwardness that Natalie felt.

surprise, Mia was the host for

and his brows furrowed slightly.

their conversation when they looked up and saw a woman in a stylish short skirt, confidently holding

She exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, how did such a prestigious bidding event end up with someone like her as the host? It’s lowering the

to be discreetly blunt, Edward reminded his sister, “Keep it

guarantee you that this woman must have

her hand, indicating an unread message. Initially, she hesitated to open it, but a

her finger and swiped open the phone. In

shifting his

had sent a few words, “So now you know, huh? You have too much free time on your hands.”

going to seek revenge?”

Why should I let someone’s betrayal

his brow. Sensing his unease, Frank leaned in and asked. “Feeling uncertain, Trevon? Can’t

situation?”

it’s not that.”

were announced, and the Wilson Group emerged as the victorious bidder, eliciting a mix of indifference from many