Chapter 4
Sherry hung up as soon as she finished speaking, not giving Yanina a chance to respond. It was like she couldn’t spare another breath on her.
Yanina shook her head, realizing Cameron hadn’t told his family about their divorce. She wondered if he planned to keep it under wraps forever. With a sigh, she dialed Cameron, but he hung up on her. She couldn’t help but smirk at the irony. With his new love injured, he wouldn’t even take her call.
She typed out a text: This is the last time I’ll accept your mom’s invite as your wife. Next time. I’m saying no.] And hit send.
“Yani, what’s going on?” Yetta asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Yanina pocketed her phone. “Nothing important. Let’s head home. I need to try out those steaks the brand sent over. If they’re good, I’ll promote them on my livestream.”
She paused. lost in thought. No matter the quality of the product, they always sold out on her livestreams. Turning to Yetta, she said firmly. From now on, no matter who we work with, we ensure the products we feature are the best. If not, I won’t sell them, no matter how much they pay.”
Yetta nodded, understanding the stakes. They had the fame; anything they endorsed would sell. But if they got greedy and ended up promoting duds, it could tarnish their reputation permanently.
The next evening, Yanina, in an elegant evening gown, accompanied Sherry to the charity auction. Still, Cameron’s silence on her text had her fuming. ‘Is he so wrapped up in his ex that he couldn’t spare a glance at his phone?”
As Yanina seethed, a cluster of high–society ladies, with their daughters–in–law in tow, sauntered over, exchanging compliments.
“Ms. Fulbright, you’re absolutely radiant this evening.”
“Mrs. Zamora, you still look so fit!”
After the pleasantries, Yanina and Sherry took their seats. Sherry handed Yanina an auction paddle, instructing. “Follow my lead on the bids. I’ll tell you what to go for
Yanina gave a slight nod, understanding her role as Sherry’s proxy.
The auctioneer presented a vase, a common antique, which went for a hundred thousand. Next up was a set of emerald jewelry, its warm glow under the lights captivating. Sherry nodded at Yanina, who raised her paddle, bidding steadily until she secured the set for Sherry at 360 million.
“Lot number three, the ‘Heritage Rose‘ Tea Set, four pieces with one minor flaw. Starting bid at 40 thousand.”
At the introduction, Yanina, usually poised, looked shocked. She abruptly stood, her composure cracking.
“Yanina! What are you doing?” Sherry hissed, her tone laced with displeasure at Yapitta’s breach of etiquette.
To Sherry, one s
should never act so impulsively, no matter their desire for an item. Yanina, as Cameron’s wife, reflected their family. Any ridicule directed at her was a slap at the Zamoras. This was why Sherry had always looked down on Yanina, seeing her as a commoner out of place in high society.
Murmurs of disapproval rippled through the crowd.
Yanina soon calmed down, but her excitement left tiny sweat beads on her forehead. “Can I take a closer look at the piece? She seemed to ignore Sherry’s warning, her eyes fixed on the item like she couldn’t bear to look away.
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Chapter 4
The crowd began to buzz with chatter. “Still wants to inspect the item? Doesn’t she know any better?”
“I heard she’s an orphan, pretty face that caught Cameron’s eye. They married without a proper wedding.”
“Figures, a woman like her, no class, marrying into money on her looks…
Yanina tuned out the gossip, her focus locked on the stage.
“Of course, please do,” the auctioneer managed, his smile strained as he motioned for her to approach.
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“Yanina, take your seat!” Sherry hissed, her voice like a whip. If you’re that into the item, just bid on it and examine it at home.” She was fuming. These intimate auctions only showcased vetted pieces, Yanina’s behavior seemed to question the experts, the organizers–everything.
Sherry stole a glance at Mabel Harnett, up front. As head of the Harnett family’s auction house, Mabel was visibly miffed by Yanina’s antics. Her irritation was palpable.
Ignoring the tension, Yanina strode straight to the “Heritage Rose Teacup. Seeing the chip on it, her eyes brimmed with tears as old memories flooded back.
How could she forget? This was the very teacup she’d knocked off her grandfather’s cabinet, fleeing home years ago. The chip on the pink cup was a mirror image of the one she’d caused.
But she’d never see her parents again… After the fire, she’d thought everything was lost, a distant dream. Finding this Ru kiln tea set here was surreal. But who has brought it to auction? she mused.
“Miss, any more questions?” the auctioneer inquired.
The question yanked Yanina from her reverie. “No,” she replied softly, shaking her head and returning to her seat.
The auction resumed. The starting bid for the “Heritage Rose” Tea Set was forty grand. Yanina didn’t blink, jumping in with bid of a hundred grand.
Everyone could tell how much Yanina wanted that set. At a hundred grand, her bid was over market value, so no one else. should have been interested. But Mabel, irked by Yanina’s earlier display, threw in a bid of a hundred and thirty grand.
Without pause, Yanina countered with a hundred and sixty grand. Mabel, seemingly intent on outdoing her, raised the stakes to two hundred grand.
As Yanina was about to lift her paddle again, Sherry grabbed her arm. She surveyed the room–murmurs, snickers, a drama unfolding. Sherry felt utterly humiliated by her daughter–in–law’s behavior. “Enough! This is madness. It’s not worth two hundred grand”
Yaning shook off Sherry’s grip, undeterred, and raised her paddle. “Two hundred and thirty grand!” she declared.
“Yanina! Are you insane? Those teacups are overpriced at a hundred and sixty grand! Stop this circus! One more outburst, and you’re on your own!” Sherry fumed, her cheeks flushed with anger.
SEND GIFT
