g, outside Chloe's suite of rooms. He was exam

voice was cool, devoid of

eyes unreadable

It used to make her heart ache.

you of the change

e showed no surprise, no regret, nothing. As

tion," Ava said, a bitter edge to her words.

o quick to decipher. Was it satis

job, Ms

ou report directly to Chloe. Or to my father. Y

, cold boundary. This was a dis

nodded. "U

expecting you to escort her to the Sotheby's preview

e, a way to direct him, a

, would already be on Chloe and her schedule. It confirmed every

trange emptiness set

yes to her two loyal college friends, Olivia Chen and Ma

imal. She offered no greetings, no forced pleasantries. He, in turn, reverted to an even more stoic version of himself, his eyes sweeping past her a

necklace that had belonged to her mother, Eleanor. Arthur had callously sold it off years ago. Ava, with her newly relea

radiant and innocent. Chloe spotted Ava and waved, a pi

ame up for auction. Ava placed her b

phone bidder. The price jumped significantly.

than, her eyes wide with feigned excitement, gesturin

hed her limit, then pushed it agai

sum so high it silenced the room. Av

r declared. "To our a

Chloe. There was a hushed conversation. Chloe's face

rs the anonymous buyer wishes to make a gift. The Beaumont Star is

ood beside her, a small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. He had done this. He had use

t of ev

p and brutal. Whispers erupted around her. She could feel their pity, their amuse

ic degradation, was almost unbearable. This wasn't just about a necklace. It was about her mother's memor

get to Te