Chapter 50

The stage lights dimmed abruptly.

A single spotlight focused precisely on the slender figure at the center.

Susan Thompson turned slowly in her white tulle dress. The skirt fluttered lightly with her movement, like a blooming night-blooming cereus.

Gasps rippled through the audience.

"My God..."

"Is she real?"

"Unbelievably beautiful..."

Andrew Lucas's pupils constricted sharply.

His grip on the crystal glass turned his knuckles white. The glass cracked under the pressure.

"Andrew!" Torey Smith clapped his shoulder excitedly. "This is the goddess I told you about! Stunning, isn't she?"

Andrew's Adam's apple bobbed.

He knew exactly how beautiful she was.

Four years ago, on that rainy night, she had danced for him one last time in that same white dress.

"I've decided!" Torey waved his bidding paddle eagerly. "I'm taking her home tonight!"

The auctioneer struck the gavel.

"Starting bid at one million. Increments of one hundred thousand."

"Two million!" A bald man in the front row raised his paddle immediately.

"Three million!"

"Five million!"

The price skyrocketed at an alarming rate.

Torey raised his paddle defiantly. "Ten million!"

The room fell silent for a second.

Susan's gaze drifted toward the voice. When she recognized the man beside Torey, her face paled.

Andrew Lucas.

What was he doing here?

Her nails dug into her palms, but she felt no pain. Her most humiliating moment had been witnessed by him.

"Eleven million!"

"Twelve million!"

The bidding continued.

Torey leaned toward Andrew. "Andrew, I might be short on cash. Can you—"

"Forty million." Andrew raised his paddle abruptly.

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

Torey gaped at his friend. "Andrew, you—"

"Fifty million!" The bald man ground his teeth.

Andrew smirked coldly. "Eighty million."

The number silenced the entire room.

Susan stared at Andrew in disbelief. His eyes were terrifyingly icy, yet his lips curled into a cruel smile.

He was punishing her.

"Eighty million, going once!"

"Eighty million, going twice!"

The bald man wiped sweat from his forehead and raised his paddle with trembling hands. "Eighty-five million!"

"One hundred million."

Andrew's voice was quiet but struck like a hammer.

The auctioneer's gavel slammed down.

"Sold!"

Torey shot to his feet. "Andrew! What the hell?"

Andrew adjusted his cufflinks leisurely, his gaze locked onto Susan.

"Exactly what it means." His lips curved. "This woman is mine."