“Ma’am, Mr. Everhart was worried you might feel bored at home. There’s a lively atmosphere here, so he asked me to bring you out in person. If you see anything you like later, just raise your paddle. Don’t worry about the money.”
Gwyneth nodded, took her number, and found her seat.
By nine o’clock sharp, the auction hall was packed—standing room only.
Looks like she wasn’t the only one looking for a distraction tonight.
She had no idea what they’d be selling. Sitting up straighter, stretching her neck to see, she was just about to check her phone when Leonie called. Gwyneth declined the call and looked over at Hans.
“Could you bring Leonie here, too?”
Hans frowned slightly, but Gwyneth’s requests weren’t up for debate—his only job was to obey.
“Of course.”
Just thinking about Leonie gave Hans a headache.
Gwyneth texted Leonie, letting her know she was at the auction and that Hans would fetch her. After that, there was radio silence—Gwyneth guessed Leonie was probably off freshening up and changing clothes.
The auction officially began. The first item up was lapis lazuli—a deep blue stone that made Gwyneth’s eyes widen in surprise.
This was the precious pigment artists used to make ultramarine paint, expensive as gold.
Even Gwyneth herself had only managed to buy a tiny scrap of it two years ago, made the old-fashioned way, and had hardly dared use it since.
But the chunk the auctioneer held up now was twice as large as hers. For a painter, this was pure treasure.
“Eighty thousand,” the auctioneer started.
Someone immediately called out, “One hundred thousand!”
Before Gwyneth could even lift her paddle, the room had erupted into a frenzy.
That color—what artist wouldn’t be dazzled?
No wonder Hawthorne wanted her here. It turned out everything up for sale was exactly her taste.
Hans arrived with Leonie just then, sliding into the seat beside Gwyneth.
“You really didn’t have to spend so much,” Gwyneth murmured.
Hans replied in a low voice, “Mr. Everhart’s instructions were clear. If you want it, you get it. Money’s not an issue.”
Gwyneth had thought the lapis was the highlight, but each new item up for auction was more tempting than the last.
She reached out to stop him. “Hans, let’s just wait until I’m sure about something before you bid.”
At this rate, no amount of money would be enough.
Leonie nudged her and said, “Relax, my uncle has more money than he knows what to do with. Just enjoy yourself.”
Gwyneth stayed quiet. She knew everyone spoiled her, but she simply wasn’t the type to spend recklessly.
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