Unknown Divorce Revelation Beyond Time (Charlene and Thorne) novel Chapter 489

Meanwhile—

Vesta handed a crisp envelope to her mother. “Here’s the invitation you wanted.”

“Perfect. Thank Thorne for me, would you?” Maureen replied, sliding the invitation into her purse. She paused, glancing up. “Are you coming with us to the auction tomorrow, or is Thorne picking you up?”

Vesta shook her head. “Neither of us will be going tomorrow.”

Maureen’s hand stilled over the zipper. “Alright,” she said simply.

***

Auction night arrived, and Charlene made her way to the grand auction house with her aunt, Maisie.

As they checked in, Charlene spotted Maureen and Laverne just ahead in the line. The recognition was mutual—Maureen’s expression barely shifted, but there was a faint furrow between her brows.

This evening’s auction featured pieces so rare and valuable that only the world’s wealthiest and most influential had managed to secure invitations. Most prominent families wouldn’t even stand a chance.

If it hadn’t been for Thorne, Maureen wouldn’t have gotten her invitation either. But Charlene—well, given Stewart’s current prominence and his close connection to Charlene, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to help her obtain one.

With that thought, Maureen and Laverne averted their gazes and continued inside.

Thanks to Thorne, Maureen and Laverne had seats close to the front—right next to where Charlene and Maisie were directed.

Charlene and Maisie had barely settled in when Moran entered the hall. He did a double take upon spotting Charlene, and then noticed she was seated beside Maureen. His eyes widened. What kind of high-stakes showdown was this?

Flustered, he found his own seat alongside his date, then hurriedly texted Thorne:

Charlene’s at the diamond auction too—and she’s sitting right next to your future mother-in-law!

Thorne’s reply was prompt.

Oh.

And that was it.

As the diamond was unveiled, a wave of awe swept through the room—gasps and murmurs rippled across the crowd. Even Charlene, who didn’t consider herself much of a diamond enthusiast, couldn’t help but be stunned by the stone’s extraordinary beauty and brilliance.

Maureen, for her part, had seen and owned countless pieces of world-class jewelry over the years. But this—this was on a different level. She was, for once, rendered speechless, utterly captivated by the gem on display. From the moment it appeared, she could hardly tear her eyes away.

As the crowd buzzed, the auctioneer announced the starting bid.

Forty million.

The words had barely left his mouth before bidding paddles shot up all over the room. Charlene was among the first.

Seated right beside her, Maureen noticed Charlene’s raised paddle. She’d assumed Charlene, like herself, was here simply to witness a once-in-a-lifetime gem—after all, even if you couldn’t afford it, seeing such a treasure up close was an event in itself.

But then—

Maureen’s eyes flickered in surprise as she watched Charlene lift her paddle, her attention snapping away from the diamond.

Charlene spoke up, her voice clear and steady, “Fifty million.”