Chapter 25
Chapter 25
The first auction item shone on stage. It was a diamond–crusted golden vase.
Ruby, sitting in Sylvia’s lap, eagerly raised her little hand for her mom.
The auctioneer nodded toward Sylvia. “This lady bids six million. Anyone going higher?”
A quick hush fell over the room before bidding paddles popped up.
The crowd was full of heavy hitters, and for a decent price, they weren’t about to miss out on the bragging rights.
“Mom, should I raise my hand again?” Ruby asked, her dark eyes sparkling.
Sylvia smiled and nodded, and Ruby’s tiny hand shot up again.
“Sixteen million!” Sylvia’s voice came out soft but clear.
The room gasped, heads turning. No one expected such a huge jump, and the bidding slowed.
The auctioneer looked around. “Sixteen million once, sixteen million twice… Any more bids? If not, this item goes to the lady.“…
Just as the gavel was about to drop, a cold voice cut in. “Thirty million!”
Byron raised his hand, his face blank, his long fingers waving dismissively.
A vase wasn’t worth that much, but he didn’t care. He wanted Sylvia to know that no matter her status now, she was still no match for him.
Sylvia’s eyes flicked to Byron, her brow wrinkling slightly. She leaned down to Ruby, her voice soft. “Sweetie, can you raise your hand for me one more
time?”
Ruby nodded eagerly, her chubby hand waving. “Mom, how much this time?”
Ruby knew her mom did a lot of charity work–there was a whole shelf of donation certificates back home in their overseas house.
She didn’t fully get what thirty million meant, but she had a feeling her mom had giveh way more than that before.
Sylvia whispered a number in Ruby’s ear with a warm smile.
Ruby’s voice rang out, clear and bright. “Sir, my mom bids sixty million!”
Every eye in the room snapped to Sylvia, whispers spreading through the crowd.
They were all wondering who this woman was, going head–to–head with Byron Blair.
Byron’s face darkened, a muscle twitching in his jaw, though a mocking smirk curved his lips.
He’d thought throwing out a hundred million would make Sylvia back off. Clearly, she didn’t know when to stop.
He wouldn’t hold back this time.
From the back row, Zack clenched his small fists, his eyes darting between Byron and Sylvia.
Back then, whenever Byron and Sylvia argued, Zack always took his dad’s side without a second thought.
To him, Byron was the king of their world, unbeatable, while Sylvia was just a clueless farm girl.
But today, something new stirred in his heart.
As Byron raised his hand to bid again, Zack jumped up. His small figure tan to his dad’s side, grabbing his arm.
“Dad, my stomach hurts–I need the bathroom!” he yelled.
His face was red, his voice shaking slightly.
Byron’s attention shifted to his son, worry crossing his face as he looked at Zack’s pained expression.
He glanced at the vase on stage, then back at Zack, and made his choice.
He picked Zack up. “I’ll take you.”
The auctioneer’s gavel dropped. “Congratulations to the lady for winning the diamond–encrusted golden vase!”
The room burst into applause.
Zack, sitting on Byron’s shoulder, stole a glance at Sylvia, a small, secret smile on his lips.
His mom was kind of awesome. Everyone was clapping for her!
Somewhere along the way, his view of his “awful mom” had started to change.
“Mom, Little Knight’s tummy hurts. His dad really cares about him, huh?” Ruby said, turning to watch Byron carry Zack away, her voice soft and a bit sad.
“Ruby, no worries. Your dad loves you just as much,” Sylvia said gently, stroking Ruby’s head, though a bittersweet ache gripped her chest.
She knew Ruby was missing the father she’d never met.
Sylvia followed a staff member backstage to pick up the vase she’d won, handing over a check for sixty million.
“Mom, I want to hang out,” Ruby said, tugging at Sylvia’s sleeve. At just three, her playful energy was dying to break free from the stuffy auction hall.
Sylvia nodded to Hayden, then picked Ruby up and carried her out to the corridor.
Pointing to the playroom nearby, Sylvia said, “Ruby, go have fun for a bit. I need to make a quick call.”
“Okay, Mom!” Ruby hopped down, her little legs bouncing as she ran into the playroom.
Playing alone was fun, but a small pang of loneliness tugged at her heart.
Ruby was lost in her game when Joanna appeared at the door, glancing around sneakily before slipping inside,
At the auction, Joanna had seen Sylvia toss around millions like it was no big deal. That was a far cry from the shy, farm girl she remembered.
She couldn’t believe Sylvia had come so far by herself. There had to be a man behind it.
Joanna crouched beside Ruby, her voice overly sweet. “Ruby, can you tell me who your dad is? What does he do?”
She didn’t dare confront Sylvia directly, so she took the chance to snoop while Ruby was alone.
Ruby hugged her fluffy teddy bear, a flash of hurt on her face. “My dad’s an engineer. We don’t see him much, but he loves me a lot!”
“An engineer?” Joanna’s eyes narrowed, doubtful.
An engineer with that kind of cash, turning a farm girl into a brand founder? No way.
She paused, and went on, “Ruby, you’re not lying, are you? Good kids don’t lie!”
“I’m not lying!” Ruby’s eyes filled with tears, her voice shaking with anger.
Just then, Sylvia burst through the door. Seeing what was happening, she pushed Joanna back and stepped in front of Ruby. “What are you doing?“
Joanna flinched at Sylvia’s sharp tone but quickly pulled herself together. “Sylvia, I was just curious about Ruby’s dad. Is he that guy you were having
dinner with the other day?”
She remembered the man, hidden behind sunglasses and a mask, his face completely covered.
A voice cut through the tension at that time. “Yeah, it is me. What then?”
Before Joanna could push further, a tall figure appeared in the doorway.
He still wore sunglasses and a mask, his face hidden, but his tall, lean frame gave off a quiet, polished vibe.
Sylvia had called him while outside. He’d just finished a press conference nearby and hurried over when he got her message.
She’d reached out to ask him to play Ruby’s dad–she couldn’t stand seeing her daughter so sad anymore.
Joanna couldn’t see his face, but his unique voice made her eyes widen in shock. “Wait, are you…?”
