Another hand went up. “Seven million and fifty thousand,” she announced, her voice clear and elegant.
A woman raised her hand. Sophia smiled, pointing to her. “Eight million. We are now at eight million dollars.”
The bidders muttered among themselves, consulting over calls. Sophia’s composure never faltered. “We are at eight million. The bid is still open. Please feel free to raise your hand for a higher price. Currently, eight million is held by Miss Gina.”
She scanned the room. “Eight million—going once… going twice…”
A hand lifted in the back, a small wave signaling a pause. One of the bidders was still conferring quietly with their representative before confirming the next increment.
Sophia nodded politely. “We are holding at eight million. Miss Gina is reviewing her bid—there’s still time for anyone else to participate.”
Gina raised her finger.
Sophia pointed her palm at her. “Nine million and fifty thousand dollars with Miss Gina. Going once… twice… Sold.”
She allowed a brief pause as the crowd absorbed the result, then continued, her voice ringing clearly across the hall. “The item now belongs to Miss Gina. Let’s turn our attention to the next item—the only painting from the lost series by Caravaggio.”
Hours passed, the auction progressing smoothly. Sophia’s voice remained strong, poised, and commanding, drawing the eyes of everyone in the hall.
Finally, as the last item was sold, Sophia stepped down from the stage quietly. She headed toward the exit, her expression still graceful.
Just as Sophia stepped out of the hall, her steps slowed.
Her brows furrowed in surprise as she saw Joseph and Curtis walking aggressively in her direction—Arthur leading them, his expression dark and rigid.
“Dad?” she whispered, confusion flashing across her face.
Arthur stopped right in front of her, blocking her path. His eyes burned as he looked down at her.
“You still haven’t transferred the shares to my name,” he said sharply. “Are you really serious about not giving them up?”
Sophia’s gaze shifted—first to Joseph, then to Curtis. Both stood behind Arthur with crossed arms, their expressions arrogant,their stares openly challenging. She narrowed her eyes, unafraid.
“I’ve already told you,” Sophia replied calmly. “Those shares were left to me by Grandma. I’m not giving them up. They’re mine.”
Arthur’s face twisted in anger. “What do you meanyours? How did you become so selfish, Sophia?” he snapped. “Everything I have will eventually be yours anyway. You’re my only daughter! Why are you acting like this over a few shares?”
He gestured toward his brothers. “The company needs them! Don’t you understand? Curtis has been scrambling everywhere, trying to gather funds. Joseph has been working late every night. We lost a partnership opportunity just yesterday because we couldn’t secure enough capital to expand our manufacturing unit. Do you know how humiliating that was?”
Sophia’s eyes hardened as she looked past Arthur at Joseph and Curtis.
This wasn’t new. It had been happening for years.
Ever since the two brothers joined the company, bit by bit, they had eaten away at everything, draining funds quietly, skillfully. Arthur didn’t even realize that a large portion of his money was already disappearing into pockets he didn’t know existed.
Joseph’s pocket.
Curtis’s pocket.
Arthur remained blind to it, blinded by brotherly affection.
Sophia didn’t.
And that difference had been tearing their relationship apart for years.
She inhaled slowly, then said evenly, “I’m not giving up what Grandma left to me. If she wanted you to have it, she would’ve left it to you—not me.”
Her voice cooled further. “Now leave. This is my workplace. I don’t want a scene here.”
