She Turned Her Grief Into Wings novel Chapter 112

He lifted his eyes, his expression indistinguishable from usual.

"Yeah," he replied flatly.

—

The massive banquet hall was packed with celebrities, gathering all the top elites of Aurelia City.

Tonight's auction was a charity fundraiser, and the items on the block were all personal treasures donated by the guests in attendance.

Antique calligraphy, paintings, handcrafted masterpieces, and more.

The proceeds from auctioning off these prized possessions would go entirely to a charity foundation providing surgeries for children with cleft lips.

The guests gradually took their seats.

Chairs scraped against the carpet with muffled thuds, and the ocean breeze drifted in through the portholes, carrying a salty tang.

Shera and Rhys were seated in the fourth row. The screen on the stage lit up, and the surrounding chatter quieted down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Haven Charity Auction."

The auctioneer's voice echoed from the stage. The lights in the hall dimmed drastically, leaving only a few spotlights focused on the display podium.

He began introducing the items and calling out the starting bids.

Voices calling out numbers rose and fell across the room.

Rhys turned his head, noticing Shera was looking a little pale. He lowered his voice. "Not feeling well?"

"No," she shook her head. "It's just a bit stuffy in here."

He handed her the glass of water resting beside him. "You might just be tired."

Shera took it, taking a small sip as she kept her eyes on the stage.

The first few lots went smoothly.

An ancient landscape painting, an antique vase, and a vintage ruby necklace.

The final prices were all within reason. The applause was polite, and the atmosphere remained tepid.

That was until the auctioneer pulled the velvet cloth off the next item.

Shera immediately felt the person beside her shift. Rhys, who had been leaning casually against his chair, leaned forward slightly.

The host chimed in perfectly on cue, "Our next item is an Antique Jadeite Prayer Bracelet. It features vibrant green old-mine jadeite paired with a pink tourmaline lotus pendant. It holds an elegant, historic charm and is in flawless condition—an absolutely perfect piece for any lady to wear."

She glanced at the display on stage, then at the man next to her.

A cold, indifferent tone rang out. "One million."

A jump of three hundred thousand. Shera took a deep breath and looked toward the front.

Of course... she should have known.

There was no way Caden would pass up an opportunity to insert himself into this.

She rubbed her temples.

The man beside her seemed entirely unfazed, as if he had expected this.

"One point two million."

The voice from the front immediately followed. "One point five million."

Rhys: "One point eight million."

Two figures, one in the front, one in the back, matching each other's bids with zero hesitation.

One sat with rigid coldness, the other leaned back with a lazy grace. Neither looked at the other.

But everyone in the hall could sense it—this was no ordinary bidding war.