Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 465

The charity auction was heating up as the host introduced the second item of the night.

An attendant gently pulled back a panel of red velvet, unveiling a beautifully framed landscape painting for all to see.

It was immediately clear this wasn’t just any painting. The brushwork was delicate, each stroke purposeful, the entire piece radiating a quiet, profound elegance. Whoever had painted this was a true master, and the artwork’s value as a collector’s item was beyond question.

This landscape was exactly what Andrina had come for tonight.

She leaned over to Olivia and whispered, “This is the painting your grandfather’s been dreaming of owning. If we win it and you present it to him yourself, he’ll be so touched by your thoughtfulness.”

The host cleared his throat, announcing the starting bid: five million dollars.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Andrina raised her paddle—six million.

A moment later, another voice called out from across the ballroom: seven million.

Andrina didn’t hesitate. “Eight million,” she bid, her paddle held high.

Landscapes like this usually appealed to an older crowd, and tonight’s guest list was dominated by socialites and heiresses, so competition was surprisingly thin.

Just as Andrina thought the painting was as good as hers, Isadora, who’d been sitting quietly nearby, slowly lifted her paddle. Her voice was crisp and clear. “Ten million.”

Andrina’s brow furrowed. She mentally calculated just how far she could reasonably go for this painting, then gritted her teeth and added another million. “Eleven million.”

Isadora didn’t miss a beat. “Twenty million.”

Gasps rippled through the room. The back-and-forth bidding, especially at these prices, had everyone riveted.

Olivia couldn’t stand Isadora’s smug, aloof expression. She felt her temper flare, refusing to let this woman win. She snatched up her paddle, her chin high. “Thirty million.”

Andrina’s heart skipped a beat at Olivia’s bid.