"What are you looking at?" He looked down, meeting my scrutinizing gaze.
"Nothing. Just think you're treating Isabella differently than before."
"Am I?" he asked back, tone casual.
"Before you seemed..."
"It's in the past." He interrupted me, guiding me deeper into thehall with his arm around my waist. "Focus on the present. Come on, the auction's about to start."
The auction was held in the museum's main hall. Kholod and I sat in the front row VIP section, surrounded by Philadelphia's most powerful faces.
Isabella took the stage as host. She performed admirably, her voice melodious, making each auction item sound captivating. Guests bid frequently, the atmosphere lively.
"Next is tonight's featured item—the Polaris Tear diamond necklace, generously donated by Mr. Morozov. All proceeds will go toward children's arts education..."
Under the spotlights, the necklace was dazzling. Bidding calls rose and fell, prices climbing rapidly. I glanced at Kholod—he sat expressionless, fingers tapping the armrest lightly, as if completely disconnected from it all.
"Sold!"
The gavel fell to thunderous applause. Isabella's eyes glistened with tears as she bowed deeply. "Thank you all for your generosity! Special thanks to Mr. Morozov!"
She looked toward us, eyes full of gratitude. Kholod merely applauded politely, expression calm.
After the auction came the cocktail reception, with elegant music and servers weaving through the crowd. Kholod went to speak with political figures while I stood alone in the lounge area with champagne.
"Noelle."
Isabella suddenly appeared, grabbing my hand. I nearly spilled my drink.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to tell you something." Her voice was somewhat choked, eyes already rimmed with red.
"You're crying? What happened?"
"Nothing..." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I just... Noelle, I'm sorry..."
"Why apologize? The auction was a great success."
"Not for that." She took a deep breath, tears falling. "For what happened at the last party... I never expected Kholod to invite me to dance. I was so shocked, didn't know how to refuse... I never meant to steal your spotlight, much less replace you."
"Isabella..."
"Now everyone outside is saying I'm his mistress, that I want to climb up the social ladder... But I really don't! Noelle, I just wanted to help you, never thought it would turn out like this..."
She cried pitifully. Looking at her, complex emotions surged through me. Although Anastasia and Anya had both warned me to stay away from her, saying she had ulterior motives, Isabella was still my childhood friend.
She was the one who came to see me when I first married into the Morozov family, comforting me. During my loneliest times, she chatted with me and kept me from going insane. And I knew what it felt like to be publicly humiliated, what it was like to become the focus of everyone's gossip. In some ways, we were both victims of Kholod Morozov's unpredictable moods.
"This isn't your fault." I patted her hand gently. "I never blamed you."
"Really?" She looked up, eyes full of hope.
"Really," I said earnestly. "Kholod is just like that—he does everything on a whim."
"But..."
"Don't overthink it." I put my arm around her. "We're still friends. Rumors always pass eventually."
