Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Though Gideon was dying to know how Baxter had managed to get to the auction so quickly, the sight of him sitting right next to Eliza made him swallow his

uriosity.

Avoiding Eliza was etched into his bones.

As soon as Gideon sat down, the auction began.

Medea was flipping through the catalog, pen in hand, marking items. Judging by her notes, she had already chosen quite a few. Most were jewelry ieces–perfect for betrothal gifts.

;ideon jumped in eagerly. “Remember to let me bid on something too, so I can give you two an engagement present.”

Then I’ll accept it,” Medea replied.

You should.”

le glanced back toward Eliza.

axter was still chatting with her, his whole body turned toward her, leaning slightly in her direction, eyes never straying.

thit Gideon only belatedly. A realization dawned on him, and his expression twisted oddly.

¡oticing, Medea asked what was wrong.

le couldn’t very well say it outright.

ut she caught the look in his eyes, turned her head, and followed his gaze.

he faint smile on her face faded.

What Gideon could see, she could too.

he just didn’t understand it.

What on earth did Baxter see in Eliza?

Maybe he was just fooling around.

ut even so, the thought left her unsettled.

he had always considered Baxter a friend, so he should stand on her side.

fer face cooled as she thought it over. If Mr. Ning, Baxter’s father, ever learned of this, he would certainly object. Eliza’s background simply couldn’t stand up to crutiny,

With that in mind, Medea texted Regina:

Mom, are you dose with Mrs. Wade?

Fairly. Why? Regina replied.

Nothing major. Just noticed something. Baxter seems to be getting close with Liza Maybe you should give Mrs Wade a heads up.

Regina already knew Eliza’s situation from Vivian. Hearing this, she understood at once.

All right. I’ll mention it tomorrow when I go shopping with Mrs. Wade.

Don’t say it came from me. I don’t want this to affect my relationship with Baxter.

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Seven Years a Fool. One Day a Queen

hapter 155

elax. I know how to handle it.

nly then did Medea put away her phone and focus on the items she wanted.

he early lots were inexpensive, which didn’t interest her. Instead, she leaned toward Calvin to chat.

any attendees recognized him, and with a glance at their seats, they quickly identified Medea.

o that must be Miss Wynn, the one about to be engaged to Mr. Young. They do look like a good match.”

ve heard she’s from quite a family too. Her father, Caesar, just got promoted to deputy department head.”

ooks like the wedding’s not far off.”

heir whispers inevitably reached Eliza’s ears.

it she was unaffected.

le had long since grown numb to those two.

> shift the topic, Baxter asked if she had her eye on anything in particular.

Im. Two calligraphy scrolls,” she answered.

o you like collecting art?” he followed up, obviously just searching for conversation.

lo, theyre for an elder.”

fy dad likes calligraphy too. Seems he and your elder share the same hobby,” Baxter said smoothly.

that moment, Baxter’s father, busy dominating the poker table, had no idea his son had just assigned him a new passion.

xter then asked, “Want to move up front? I’m VIP.”

iza shook her head. “No need. It’s quieter here.”

e glanced at the front row and nodded. “You’re right.”

se countered. “And you’re not sitting up front?”

to,” he said “I like it quiet too.”

ist then, Zander arrived

e saw Eliza first, his brows drawing together instinctively

hen he looked ahead and spotted Medea sitting prominently in the center of the front row

le paused, changed course, and took a seal in the second section

le was a VIP too, but with Calvin beside her, he didn’t went to intrude

he second section, behind Medea and in front of Eliza, suited him better

After some time, Medea’s desired lot appeared a Kasumir sapphire necklace with a starting bad of ten million

Expensive.

sapphire prices had skyrocketed in recent years, and Kashmir sapphires were nined out. This necklaces center stone was a five carat Kashmir sapphire. The rest were tanzanites–similar in color, but far less valuable.

Medea bid without hesitation–fifteen million.

Chapter 155

The crowd buzzed, and someone countered with sixteen million.

She instantly raised her paddle again.

Twenty million.

Such aggressive bidding killed the competition. No one was going to pay double market value.

She could do it because she had the confidence and that confidence came from Calvin.

With his indulgence, she secured the necklace with ease.

Ever since losing to Eliza at the banquet, Medea had been fixated on sapphires.

She wanted Eliza to know: if she wanted something, Calvin would pay any price to get it for her.

The crowd’s eyes brimmed with envy.

Eliza, oblivious to the battle up front, was absorbed in her phone, exchanging work details with Erik.

Baxter had seen her work with this kind of focus before, yet even now, it moved him.

A woman wholly absorbed in her work carried a kind of natural shield. That quiet immersion, that unforced composure, was more piercing than any deliberate

harm.

ler lack of demand for attention exuded an inner order that felt easy and trustworthy.

Vatching her was like quietly appreciating a painting.

he focused on her work.

le focused on her.

he two of them seemed to exist on an entirely different layer from the rest of the room.

Leanwhile, Medea bid again–this time on a sapphire bracelet.

ideon asked curiously, “Medea, you seem to really have a thing for sapphires.”

Min. Just started liking them recently.”

he bracelet’s starting price was five million. She opened with ten.

iven the precedent of the necklace, the rest of the bidders knew there was no hope.

rom then on, every jewelry lot saw her hand raised.

ach time, she doubled the price,

ive million lots–she bid ten.

en million lots–she bid twenty.

eaving no room for anyone else..

he entire auction had turned into Medea’s private show.

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Seven Years a Fool. One Day a Queen