Chapter 12
Private auction house.
The city’s most powerful and wealthy had all gathered here, the air buzzing with their excited chatter about the treasures soon to go up for bid.
Liam arrived at the private suite just before the auction started, his footsteps heavy and tired.
“Liam, why are you so late?” Grandma Mitchell reached out, taking his hand and pulling him down to sit beside her.
“Sorry, Grandma. Something urgent came up at work,” he said, rubbing his brow, exhaustion clear in his voice.
Worry flickered in Grandma Mitchell’s eyes. “Liam, you can let others handle the company for now. There’s only one thing you need to focus on–Joy’s delivery!”
She leaned closer, eyes sparkling. “Look, see this? I’m planning to bid on that pendant. Just imagine giving it to my future grandchild–how precious would that be?”
Liam glanced down at the catalog, a small smile tugging at his lips. But the warmth faded as another thought crossed his mind.
“Thanks for thinking of it, Grandma. Joy is sure to love it.”
“Joy is such a good girl!” Grandma Mitchell beamed, her happiness obvious.
“Not like a certain someone… No children, and she broke our family’s bangle. Honestly, I don’t know why we ever let her into our family.”
She huffed, her grumbling picking up steam. “If it hadn’t been for your soft spot back then, do you really think I’d have let her through our door?”
Just the mention of “Esme” made Liam’s chest tighten, a sharp ache settling in.
“Grandma, Esme didn’t do it on purpose… We kept things from her, too-”
“Hmph! You spoiled her, that’s the problem. Now she won’t give you a child, throws tantrums whenever she wants, and never cares about the occasion!”
Grandma Mitchell slammed the catalog shut in frustration, sinking back into her chair. Her conclusion was final. “Joy is the better choice, no question.”
Liam could only offer a helpless smile, waiting for the auction to start.
“The pendant was said to be crafted by royal artisan.
“It’s a rare and precious treasure.
“Starting bid: five million yuan!”
Grandma Mitchell immediately moved to raise her paddle, but Liam gently steadied her hand.
Chapter 12
“Grandma, since you want to give this to Joy, I’ll make sure we get it.”
He snapped his fingers, signaling the highest bid without hesitation.
“Sky–high bid from the back!” the auctioneer called out.
The gavel came down. “Congratulations to our distinguished guest! The pendant will be delivered to you shortly!”
Grandma Mitchell clapped her hands, delighted. “Liam, this is wonderful!”
Liam grinned, standing up. “Since we’ve got what we came for, I should get back to the office.”
She squeezed his hand, her affection clear. “Take care of yourself, Liam. If anything ever happened to you, what would I do?”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I know how to take care of myself.”
He pushed open the door and checked his watch, letting out a long sigh. Still, a hint of a smile lingered on his lips.
Once Joy had the baby, he’d finally take some time off. He’d spend it with Esme–he owed her
that much.
“I really have let her down these past few months. Even if Esme can be a little difficult
sometimes…”
As his thoughts drifted, a flash of pale yellow caught his eye.
A woman–clearly pregnant–hurried past and slipped into a private suite nearby.
“…Joy?” he called softly, uncertain. She didn’t seem to hear, disappearing into the room without any of her usual caution.
m’s expression darkened, and he crept quietly to the door.
woman was so flustered, she hadn’t even closed the door all the way–a narrow gap mained.
Voices carried out from inside, just loud enough for Liam to hear.
“Mr. Price, this child is yours. Are you really going to walk away?” The familiar female voice hit Liam like a lightning strike. He stared, stunned.
It was Joy–the same Joy he’d arranged to stay in the hospital until she gave birth.
“Are you done? I told you from the start I didn’t want any part of this!” The man’s voice was rough, older–Mr. Price must be nearly sixty.
“I tried everything, but I couldn’t get rid of this baby. Now that I’m having it, you owe me a huge sum for child support!”
Joy’s tone was nothing like the gentle woman Liam thought he knew. It was sharp, cold, almost cruel.
Chapter 12
She gave a chilling laugh. “If you don’t pay up, I’ll tell Mrs. Price everything.”
At the mention of “Mrs. Price,” the man’s voice immediately softened. “How much do you
want?”
Joy smirked and held up two fingers, shaking them.
“Two hundred million.”
Mr. Price sucked in a sharp breath, furious. “You’re blackmailing me now? You vicious woman!”
“You’ve already landed yourself in the Mitchell family, but you’re still trying to squeeze money out of me?”
“But this is your child, Mr. Price. You lost your temper at that gala, so I had no choice but to drug Mr. Mitchell and dress up like his wife to fool him.
a
“Then I heard you were overseas, so I staged a car accident just to save you. That’s the only reason you agreed to bring me back and accept the child.
“Now the Mitchell family treats me so well, but once the baby’s born, they’ll realize it’s not
Liam’s… and it’ll all blow back on both of us!
“Mr. Price, this is your last chance. Give me the money, and I’ll leave with the baby. You’ll never have to worry again.”
Joy’s chilling laughter echoed through the crack in the door, every word stabbing straight into
Liam’s heart.
“What?! The baby isn’t mine?”
With a crash, every eye in the room turned.
The dragon–phoenix longevity locket–just won at auction–had fallen to the ground, shattered.
Grandma Mitchell’s face was a mix of shock and rage. “Is this child really not from the Mitchell family?”
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