She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 136

Dusk had settled over the city.

Luther finally woke up.

He was extremely weak, his dark hair plastered to his forehead, his complexion pale. He leaned against the headboard, staring blankly into space. Eleanor walked in holding a bowl of hot chicken soup. She had specifically asked the kitchen to make it fresh; the savory aroma filled the room.

Seeing his mother sitting beside the bed, he asked hoarsely, "Did Zane leave?"

Eleanor kept her voice low. "Yes. He went to Hilda's art exhibition."

At the mention of her name, he went silent and turned his head toward the window.

Today was her big opening.

At 8 PM, 'First Love' would be auctioned off.

A dull ache throbbed in his chest.

Selling that painting was her way of symbolizing the end of their relationship. Even if he bought it, in her eyes, they were over.

Eleanor watched her son's face.

She knew exactly who he was thinking about.

She fed him a spoonful of soup, casually testing the waters. "The other day, a friend of mine from the country club told me her daughter-in-law had an affair and got pregnant. Honestly, you can't entirely blame the girl. Her husband ignored her, so she eventually looked elsewhere. Now it's a massive scandal. The son is torn—he realized he still loves his wife and doesn't want a divorce, but she clearly wants out. She's carrying another man's baby, and the other man is successful and wealthy. What a nightmare, right? Luther, if you were that son, could you forgive her and raise that child as your own?"

He frowned slightly. "Do I know this guy?"

He knew most of his mother's social circle.

If a man was being publicly cuckolded, he definitely knew him.

He was curious who the poor bastard was.

Eleanor stumbled over her words. "She's... a new friend. New money. Doesn't really mix with our old circles. You wouldn't know them. I'm just asking—if it were you, could you swallow your pride and do it?"

His voice was flat. "No man could accept that."

Eleanor sighed internally.

She dropped the subject.

His appetite was nonexistent. After half a bowl, he pushed it away.

Seeing that his fever had broken, Eleanor went downstairs to give the staff instructions. The house was practically falling apart without a lady of the manor. Luther took a quick shower, walked into the living room, and turned on the television to watch the live stream of the exhibition. He watched for ages before he finally spotted her.

She was being completely smothered by Naomi.

By the time Zane arrived, the private auction room was at full capacity.

He spotted Yorick Lynn in the front row and took the seat next to him. "You're bidding on this? Do you have a death wish?"

Yorick kept his eyes glued to Hilda. "Aren't she and Luther getting divorced? Why shouldn't I throw my hat in the ring?"

Zane chuckled, leaning in to drop a hint—

"Luther's sick."

"He's calling her name in his sleep."

"Still think you should compete? A woman like her... any man with a pulse would want her. But Yorick, what's more important to you: a woman, or your family's empire? With Luther's resources, even if Harrell goes to war over her, the Judson family will be the ones picking up the pieces. Luther is just momentarily confused about his feelings. Don't insert yourself into his mess."

Yorick knew Zane well. He was always the pragmatic one.

Looking back at Hilda, Yorick felt a twinge of regret, but he knew when to fold.

At that moment, the auctioneer opened the floor for 'First Love'.

After a fierce bidding war, the price skyrocketed to 80 million. The heavy hitters in the room were still locking horns, desperate to claim the masterpiece. Just as the tension peaked, a deep voice rang out from the back of the room:

"I'm dropping a knockout bid."