Chapter 238: The Auction

Mary had no choice but to walk over to Isobel and the others.

As the hostess, she couldn’t afford to ignore one of her most distinguished guests. Not without looking petty. Not without giving everyone something to whisper about.

So she forced a smile and made her way across the ballroom.

With every step, however, her irritation grew.

From the moment Dawn arrived, her attention had barely left Isobel.

Mary had spent the entire evening making sure her guests were entertained, yet Isobel had done absolutely nothing—and somehow managed to steal the attention Mary had worked so hard to command.

Even now, Dawn was smiling warmly at her, listening to every word as though Isobel were the only person in the crowded ballroom worth hearing.

Mary’s smile stiffened.

How irritating.

Who did Isobel think she was?

This was Mary’s gala. Her guests. Her night.

Yet somehow, Isobel had become the center of attention without even trying.

A flash of resentment darkened Mary’s eyes.

She quickly buried it beneath a gracious smile before anyone could notice.

She would not let that woman ruin her evening.

Not tonight.

"Dean Sunner, Madam Dawn," she greeted warmly. "My apologies for not welcoming you at the entrance."

"It’s alright, Madam Dalton," Dawn replied with a polite smile. "I understand you’re busy as the host. Besides, Isobel and I had quite a lot to talk about."

Mary’s smile tightened.

Of course.

Even now, Dawn was talking about Isobel.

Mary’s fingers curled against her palm, her nails pressing into her skin as she fought to keep her expression pleasant. She spent considerable effort arranging this gathering, yet Isobel had somehow managed to become the center of Dawn’s attention without even trying.

"Then I’ll leave you two to continue your conversation."

Her tone remained perfectly courteous, but there was a faint stiffness beneath it.

For the first time since Isobel had entered the ballroom, Mary turned her full attention toward her. Her gaze swept over Isobel, lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

There was something deeply irritating about the way Isobel stood there so effortlessly, as though she belonged in the center of attention.

"Please entertain Dawn well."

The words sounded polite, but the look in her eyes said something else.

Mary then shifted her gaze toward Selene. The sharp glance was brief, but its meaning was clear.

Don’t just stand there. Do something.

Mary turned and walked away, her back rigid with restrained irritation.

Selene pursed her lips.

A bitter taste settled in her mouth as she watched Mary leave, then glanced back at Isobel.

There it was again. That effortless attention. That maddening ability to make people gravitate toward her without even trying.

Selene had hated it for years.

Even at the orphanage, it had always been Isobel.

Richard and Mama Rena had doted on her, but they weren’t the only ones. The other caretakers spoiled her too. The other children fought for her attention. Somehow, Isobel was always the one people wanted to protect.

She had been given the best food, the prettiest dresses, the toys that other children could only dream of.

And what had Selene gotten?

Nothing.

Even after all these years, nothing had changed.

Selene had clawed her way into high society. She was now a respected socialite and the daughter of a powerful official. She had the name, the connections, the status—all the things Isobel never had.

Yet somehow, she still couldn’t compete with her.

It was infuriating.

Even tonight, Dawn—the very woman Selene had spent the entire evening trying to impress—barely gave her a second glance.

Instead, Dawn was completely absorbed in whatever Isobel was saying.

Selene’s smile froze.

She tightened her grip on her glass until her knuckles turned white.

Why is it always her?

Selene’s fingers tightened around her glass.

She hated how Isobel never seemed to have to fight for anything. She didn’t need to charm people, flaunt her connections, or deliberately place herself in the spotlight.

The spotlight simply found her.

And Selene hated her for it.

"How annoying," she muttered under her breath.

But the envy burning behind her smile was anything but mild.

...

A few minutes later, the announcement everyone had been waiting for finally came.

"The charity auction will begin shortly."

The ballroom lights dimmed, drawing everyone’s attention toward the stage as the auctioneer stepped behind the podium.

The chatter gradually died down.

One by one, the guests took their seats, auction paddles already in hand. The relaxed atmosphere of the gala quickly transformed. Polite smiles disappeared, replaced by sharp eyes and subtle calculations.

This was no longer just a charity event.

It was a game of wealth, influence, and pride.

....

Selene had deliberately chosen the seat between Isobel and Dawn.

It was the perfect position.

Close enough for Dawn to notice her, yet not so obvious that it would seem like she was deliberately seeking her attention.

Selene had done her homework, too. She knew almost every item that would be auctioned tonight. If Dawn wanted to know about an artwork, a piece of jewelry, or its estimated value, Selene would be ready with an answer.

She had already imagined the impressed look on Dawn’s face.

But the moment Dawn sat down, Selene’s confidence began to crumble.

Dawn glanced at her, then at the empty seat beside Isobel.

Her expression suddenly turned disapproving.

"Would you mind moving over?"

Selene’s smile froze.

Dawn continued casually, completely unaware—or perhaps completely unconcerned—of the humiliation she was causing.

"I want to sit beside Isobel."

For a moment, Selene couldn’t believe what she had heard. She had deliberately chosen this seat. She had planned everything.

And Dawn had just dismissed her as though she was nothing more than an inconvenience.

Selene’s fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag.

She wanted to refuse. She wanted to ask Dawn why she couldn’t simply sit where she was.

But the words died in her throat.

This was Dawn Amali.

Selene might be a socialite and the daughter of a powerful official, but Dawn was someone even her family couldn’t afford to offend.

So she swallowed her pride and forced her smile to remain in place.

"Of course."

She stood and moved aside. As she did, her eyes flickered toward Isobel.

Isobel hadn’t even asked for Dawn to sit beside her.

She hadn’t done anything.

Yet somehow, she was still the one everyone wanted to be near.

Selene’s resentment deepened.

Why is it always her?