Agnes' Awakening: From Zero to His Whole World novel Chapter 291

"Hey, I dropped your wife off safely!"

Raymond replied, "Thanks. What do you want in return?"

Carmen chuckled. "Nothing. I actually like her personality. We get along really well.

"I'll definitely hang out with her again. We had a great time today!

"Raymond, I'm officially adding you to my rival list now. Bye!"

Raymond paused, dumbfounded.

A mansion in the suburbs of Grandridge.

Ever since Matthew came to the villa to see Duncan and asked him to assist at the upcoming charity auction, it was like Duncan had finally earned his dad's approval, like he'd been handed a royal decree.

He hadn't gone anywhere lately, even pushing Monica's death to the back of his mind for now.

He'd been cramming everything he could about antiques.

Back when he was with the Newtons, he'd lived a life of pure comfort since childhood.

A textbook rich kid, he spent his days fooling around yet lived a carefree life.

He never had to work for anything. Everything came easily.

People around him flattered and catered to him nonstop.

Over time, he genuinely believed he was impressive.

Until he met Raymond, who outclassed him in every possible way.

No matter how hard he tried, it made no difference.

Now, determined to prove himself to his dad and finally earn his recognition, he buried himself in studying antiques.

Too bad reality's a whole different story.

No matter how hard he tried, that same old sense of failure crept back in.

He couldn't remember things, or he mixed up the eras and materials.

He got so frustrated that he stopped eating and barely slept.

Rebecca caught his every move.

She cursed him as an idiot in her head, but at the same time, an idea began to form.

Without drawing attention, she locked herself in her room and studied antique knowledge obsessively.

As the charity auction drew closer, Duncan kept making mistakes.

He kept mixing up pieces from different periods.

He couldn't understand how something as simple as ceramic material could be divided into so many categories.

This wasn't just about memory anymore. At an event that big, with that many important people, one wrong word would disgrace the Shaws.

Duncan was on the verge of breaking down and started drinking again.

Rebecca quietly sat beside him and spoke gently, "You've tried your best, Duncan. Actually... I can help you."

Duncan shot her a sideways glance, a trace of mockery in his eyes, and took a hard swig from the bottle.

"You? How exactly are you going to help me?"

She lowered her head, a faint, bitter smile tugging at her lips.

After a moment, her expression hardened with resolve.

"Duncan, you need to get justice for yourself and for Ms. Hale.

"So do I. For myself, for Ethan, for my daughter...

"I have to help you. This is your only chance, and mine too."

Duncan fell silent, studying her. She had a point.

Maybe he'd judged her too harshly.

The air went still for a few seconds before he spoke again.

"But... you can't show your face right now. How are you supposed to come with me?"

Rebecca gave a small smile. "That's easy.

"I'll wear a mask. People will just think it's part of the outfit. No one will question it.

"I'll go as your assistant."

At that point, Duncan didn't refuse anymore. He knew he couldn't pull it off by himself.

Soon, the day of the charity auction arrived.

Duncan stood there in a fitted black suit, adjusting his tie.

Rebecca appeared at his doorway in an elegant deep-V gown, a crystal eye mask covering her face.