Chapter 89: Hidden Smiles

The moment Mindy and Wade left the auction hall, the heavy atmosphere around them disappeared—replaced by cool evening air, the distant murmur of the city, the relief of escape.

Inside the hall, however, the auction continued as though nothing had happened, the rhythm unbroken, the guests undisturbed by the drama that had just unfolded.

No one noticed the identical smiles that appeared on Missy’s and Tori Cooper’s faces throughout the bidding for Angel Tear—small, satisfied curves of their lips, quickly hidden behind champagne glasses and polite nods.

Neither woman cared about the tiara itself—the diamonds, the craftsmanship, the history embedded in every curve.

What delighted them was seeing despair in Mindy’s eyes—the way her shoulders had tensed, the way her breathing had quickened, the way her composure had cracked, just for a moment.

That was the victory they savored.

The auctioneer struck the gavel again, the sound sharp and final, echoing through the hall.

"Our next item..."

The Emperor’s Watch

Starting Bid: $7 Million

A handcrafted imperial pocket watch, its case made of eighteen-karat gold, its face adorned with hand-painted enamel depicting celestial maps. Its intricate mechanism displayed moon phases, a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and tiny diamond gears crafted by royal watchmakers centuries ago.

Legend claimed it had been commissioned by an emperor who wore it the day he signed his abdication.

The bidding climbed steadily, paddles rising with measured confidence.

Ten million. Fifteen. Twenty-five. Thirty-two.

Finally—"Thirty-nine million!"

The auctioneer’s gavel struck. "Sold!"

The mysterious bidder quietly raised his paddle once again, his movement economical, his expression unchanged.

Just like Angel Tear, The Emperor’s Watch belonged to him now.

People couldn’t help glancing toward him, their curiosity piqued, their whispers growing.

He looked utterly ordinary—a plump middle-aged man wearing simple wire-rimmed spectacles and an expensive yet understated suit, charcoal gray with subtle pinstripes.

Nothing about him suggested someone capable of casually spending hundreds of millions. No flashy jewelry, no entourage, no air of superiority.

Yet no one recognized him. Not the aristocrats, not the collectors, not even the Ashridges themselves.

The auction continued, item after item, the rhythm hypnotic.

The Ivory Chess Set

Starting Bid: $6 Million

Each chess piece had been carved by a different royal sculptor over thirty years—a collaborative masterpiece spanning generations. The kings stood tallest, their crowns intricate with microscopic detail.

The queens wore flowing robes etched with floral patterns. The knights rode rearing horses, their manes flowing. Legend claimed every king concealed a hidden compartment, though no one had ever discovered what they held—or if they held anything at all.

The final price shocked everyone, gasps rippling through the hall like a wave.

"Fifty-four million!"

The auctioneer’s gavel struck. "Sold!"

Again, the mysterious bidder quietly secured another treasure, his paddle rising with the same calm precision, as though fifty-four million were pocket change.

The whispers throughout Ashridge Hall grew louder, heads turning, speculation building. Who exactly was he?

Where did he come from?

What was his interest in these specific items?

Was there a pattern?

Meanwhile, Missy quietly leaned toward Drake, her voice a whisper barely audible over the auctioneer’s voice. "Brother... I’ll be back."

Without waiting for an answer, she slipped out of the hall, her movements smooth and unhurried, drawing no attention from the guests absorbed in the auction.

Women’s Washroom

Missy locked the door behind her, the click echoing in the marble-tiled space. The moment she turned, Tori Cooper was already waiting, leaning against the counter, her expression amused, her posture relaxed.

The older woman smiled, her eyes crinkling. "You did wonderfully."

Missy immediately crossed the space and hugged her, her voice bright and eager. "Aunty!"

Tori laughed softly, patting her back. "I haven’t seen Mindy wear that expression in years."

Missy’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

"I knew she wouldn’t let Angel Tear go. The moment I saw her bid, I just kept pushing."

Tori chuckled, the sound low and conspiratorial. "You almost made her spend one hundred million. I never expected her to go that far."

Missy folded her arms, leaning against the counter beside Tori.

"I didn’t either. How much money does she even have now?" There was unmistakable jealousy in her voice, sharp and bitter, like vinegar.

Tori laughed, waving a dismissive hand. "Oh, please. You have nearly five times that amount sitting safely in your overseas accounts. Why envy her?"

Missy’s expression relaxed, her shoulders dropping. "You’ve got a point."

Tori leaned casually against the marble sink, her posture elegant despite the informal setting. "I was honestly more interested in King’s Meadow."

Missy frowned, her brow furrowing. "You were talking to Sebastian earlier. Did you find anything?"

Tori rolled her eyes, her expression exasperated.

"That man is impossible. So arrogant. I was only trying to gather information for HIM." She deliberately didn’t say the name, her voice dropping to a murmur, as though the walls themselves might be listening.

"He was interested in King’s Meadow. If Sebastian had bought it, it would’ve been difficult for him to negotiate." She smiled, her expression calculating.

"But Hawthorne Corporation winning it works in our favor."

Missy’s eyes brightened, her mind racing. "I can introduce HIM to Drake as an investor."

Tori nodded, her smile widening. "Exactly."

She paused before adding, her tone thoughtful, "I still don’t understand why Mindy tried stopping everyone. Every developer wanted that land. It looks perfect—location, size, potential."

Missy scoffed, her voice dismissive. "She’s probably trying to scare everyone away. Whatever her reason, it worked in our favor."

Both women laughed quietly, the sound echoing softly in the empty washroom.

Then Missy’s eyes sparkled again, her expression gleeful. "The best part was Angel Tear."

Tori couldn’t suppress her grin, her hand covering her mouth. "It wasn’t even worth sixty million. Someone actually paid one hundred and fifty. I nearly stood up from excitement."

Missy laughed even harder, her shoulders shaking. "I know!"

Tori checked the time on her diamond-encrusted watch. "I’ll see you tonight. The engagement celebration. Theodore invited you all, didn’t he?"

Missy nodded happily, her voice eager. "Of course. You’ll be there?"

"Wouldn’t miss it."

Tori smiled, straightening. "Now go. They’ll notice you’re gone."

Missy carefully opened the washroom door, peeking out, looking both ways like a spy in a film, then calmly walked out, her expression smoothing into polite neutrality.

A few moments later, Tori also left, her heels clicking against the marble.

Silence returned, thick and heavy.

Several seconds passed.

Then—one of the cubicle doors slowly unlocked, the mechanism clicking softly.

It opened.

A pair of polished leather shoes stepped onto the marble floor—expensive, Italian, perfectly maintained.

Whoever had been inside had heard every single word.

Nearly an hour later, the auction finally concluded, the last gavel strike echoing through the hall like a closing bell.

Guests proceeded toward the payment counters, forming orderly lines, their assistants handling paperwork, their accountants transferring funds with practiced efficiency.

Mindy stood beside Wade, her posture straight, her hands clasped. Her expression remained calm, composed, unreadable. But her face looked noticeably pale, the color drained from her cheeks, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Wade’s expression was equally cold, his jaw tight, his eyes hard as stone.

Ana refused to let the mood remain gloomy. "Mindy!" She grabbed her arm, her voice bright and determined. "We can always buy the tiara from that mysterious buyer. If we explain everything, he might understand."

Mindy looked at her, seeing Ana’s genuinely worried face—her wide eyes, her furrowed brow, her earnest expression. She finally smiled, the expression small but genuine. "It’s alright. I’ll think of something."

Ana wasn’t convinced, her lips pressing together. But she nodded anyway, squeezing Mindy’s hand.

Nearby, the mysterious bidder calmly completed payment for both Angel Tear and The Emperor’s Watch, signing documents with a fountain pen, his movements unhurried, his expression neutral.

Mindy watched silently from across the hall, her gaze fixed on him. Her fingers tightened at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.

Missy noticed, her eyes tracking Mindy’s gaze. A satisfied smile spread across her face, slow and deliberate. She slowly walked toward Mindy, her steps measured, her expression shifting to one of false concern.

"Sister..." Her voice was soft, apologetic. "I really am sorry. I know how important Angel Tear was to you."

Mindy didn’t even look at her, her gaze remaining fixed on the payment counter.

Missy continued softly, her tone syrupy. "Were you angry because I kept raising the bids? I only wanted to stand up for Brother. You embarrassed him during the necklace bidding."

Drake sighed, stepping forward. "Mindy, it was only jewelry. You shouldn’t feel so bad."

Mindy slowly turned toward him, her movements deliberate. "Only jewelry?" Her voice was frighteningly calm, each word precise and cutting. "You were there. When Mom promised it to me." She paused, her eyes boring into his. "Or did you forget that promise the same way you forgot Mom?"

Drake froze, his face going pale. His throat tightened, his mouth opening but no words coming out.

Before he could answer, Missy quickly stepped forward, her voice rising. "Brother actually stopped me. He wanted to leave the tiara for you."

Ana folded her arms, her expression skeptical. "Really? I didn’t see him stop anyone else. But he certainly bought that useless necklace for you."

Drake’s face paled further, his jaw clenching. "Hawthorne Corporation had limited funds. We needed King’s Meadow."

Wade looked at him coldly, his voice cutting like a blade. "Then you should’ve stopped bidding for the necklace too. You only remembered company finances when it came to Maria Hawthorne’s tiara?"

Drake opened his mouth, his lips moving, but nothing came out. Why? Why hadn’t he fought for Angel Tear?

Missy immediately grabbed Drake’s sleeve, her voice pleading. "Brother made the practical decision. Father wanted the land. He had to think about the company."

Drake finally nodded, his voice weak. "...Yes. I have to think about the company."

Mindy looked at him without emotion, her expression flat. "I don’t care. You gave up on Mom long before today." She glanced toward the payment counter. "Go. Your sister’s useless necklace is waiting."

Drake lowered his eyes, his shoulders sagging. For the first time, he actually felt ashamed—a hot, uncomfortable sensation in his chest.

Missy suddenly snapped, her voice rising, her composure cracking. "If the necklace is useless, then your stupid tiara is useless too."

Before anyone could react—

Splash!

Red wine soaked Missy’s face, dripping down her cheeks, staining her pale pink dress dark crimson.

The entire hall fell silent, conversations dying mid-sentence, heads turning in unison.

Missy stared blankly, her mouth open, wine dripping from her hair and expensive dress.

Mindy lowered the empty glass, her movements slow and deliberate. Her eyes were ice cold. "The only useless thing here is you."

"Mindy!" Drake shouted instinctively, his voice echoing through the silent hall.

Before he could take another step, Wade moved between them, his posture protective, his expression dangerous. "Back off. If you’re going to yell, yell at the right person. Your sister insulted your own mother’s keepsake. And somehow, you’re still protecting her." He looked Drake straight in the eye, his gaze unwavering. "What exactly has she fed you all these years?"

Missy’s eyes immediately filled with tears, her lower lip trembling. "I’m sorry, Brother... I just couldn’t stand her insulting you..." She cried pitifully, her shoulders shaking.

Ana rolled her eyes dramatically, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Your necklace is waiting."

Drake hesitated, his gaze shifting between Mindy and Missy. Then he silently led Missy toward the payment counter, his hand on her elbow.

As she walked away, Missy secretly looked back over her shoulder. A victorious smile briefly appeared—small, cold, satisfied—before disappearing again, replaced by tears.

From a distance, Layton had watched everything—the confrontation, the wine, the tears. He hadn’t interfered, hadn’t moved. He simply watched Mindy, his expression unreadable.

He had tried—quietly, discreetly—to negotiate with the mysterious buyer to purchase Angel Tear secretly for Mindy. But that buyer didn’t budge, didn’t even entertain the conversation, his refusal polite but absolute.

After a long silence, Ana asked, her voice gentle, "Did throwing the wine make you feel better?"

Mindy looked at her, then, unexpectedly, she laughed—a short, genuine sound. "A little."

Wade smiled faintly, his voice dry. "It certainly looked satisfying."

Ana immediately began imitating Missy’s voice, her tone high and whiny. "’Brother... don’t blame Sister... it was my fault...’" She even copied her crying expression, her face scrunching dramatically.

Mindy burst into laughter, the sound bright and unrestrained. Even Wade couldn’t stop smiling, his shoulders shaking.

Andrew Bose approached them, his expression apologetic. "I’m sorry, Mindy. I know how much you wanted Angel Tear."

Mindy smiled politely, her composure returning. "It’s alright, Mr. Bose."

Andrew nodded, his tone shifting. "Come to tonight’s gathering. It’s being held behind Ashridge Hall. Theodore throws excellent parties. And tomorrow, Eleanor’s engagement ceremony. I’d like you both to attend."

Ana immediately grabbed Mindy’s arm, her voice eager. "Yes! You have to come!"

None of them noticed Yeager Brooks standing behind Andrew, watching everyone, his expression carefully neutral.

But his expression had quietly darkened the moment tomorrow’s engagement was mentioned—a subtle tightening around his eyes, a barely perceptible clench of his jaw.

Wade noticed. He caught the slight flinch, the way Yeager’s fingers twitched at his sides.

Mindy was about to refuse, her mouth opening—

But Wade answered first, his tone firm. "We’ll be there."

Mindy looked at him in surprise, her brow furrowing.

Wade only gave her a reassuring smile, his eyes warm but knowing.

After a brief pause, she nodded slowly. "...Alright."

Ana cheered happily, bouncing on her toes.