She smiled at him reassuringly.
“Trust me. It’s not even that big of a deal. I can get a diamond like this at other auctions. I only wanted it because it looked pretty.”
She tilted her head slightly and added lightly,
“If it was important, I would have bought it myself. It’s not like we lack money.”
Sophia gave him a warm smile, clearly trying to reassure him.
Elias studied her face for a moment before finally lowering his bidding paddle.
He gave up on the bid.
The auctioneer’s voice soon echoed across the hall.
“Sold to Mr. Magnus Graves.”
The auctioneer stepped down from the stage carrying the diamond placed on a velvet tray and walked toward Magnus.
Magnus stood and quietly walked to the side of the stage to complete the payment. As he handed over his card, he leaned slightly toward the auctioneer and whispered something in his ear.
The man nodded with a polite smile.
Magnus then returned to his seat.
Once the payment was confirmed, the auctioneer picked up the tray again and began walking toward the seats to deliver the diamond.
Isabel sat up excitedly in her chair. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she watched the auctioneer approach.
She leaned closer to Magnus with a bright smile.
“Thank you, Magnus,” she said happily. “I really love this diamond. I can’t believe you bought it for me. It’s so expensive!”
However, Magnus wasn’t even looking at her.
His eyes were fixed on the auctioneer walking through the aisle.
And then the man stopped.
Right in front of Sophia.
Sophia looked up in surprise.
Her gaze shifted slowly from the diamond tray… to Magnus.
Magnus was watching her with steady, expectant eyes. A faint smile touched his lips.
Sophia didn’t return the smile.
Beside Magnus, Isabel immediately froze.
Her face darkened as realization hit her.
The diamond… wasn’t for her.
It was for Sophia.
Her expression twisted with anger and humiliation.
