Chapter 3

Noticing the frost deepening in his eyes, I was forced to tilt my head back to accommodate him. Julian was satisfied with my compliance. After a bout of rough physical intimacy, a faint smirk played at the corners of his mouth.

"Good girl," he murmured. "I'll have Larry bring a bag over for you tomorrow."

Over the past three years, whenever my performance met Julian's standards, he would have his assistant, Larry, deliver a piece of luxury merchandise to me. In the beginning, I was naive enough to mistake those gifts for love. But after the second time, and the third, and the fourth, I finally understood. Julian treated me like a pet. When he was pleased, he offered treats. When he was displeased, he left me aside, cold and ignored.

I turned my back to him and closed my eyes, feigning sleep.

The following day, I returned to Caltech. I had just stepped into my dormitory after lectures when my mother called. I quickly composed my emotions and answered the video call.

On the screen, my mother's voice trembled with excitement. "Lina, your father's condition has stabilized! We went for a check-up today, and the doctor said he only needs one more week of specialized medication to consolidate the treatment. Then he can come home to rest."

A genuine smile touched my lips. "That's wonderful, Mom. I'll wire you the money for the medicine in a bit."

My mother nodded, her expression turning toward maternal concern. "Lina, you've worked so hard living away from home these years. Once your father is better, you should bring your boyfriend back to Portland so we can meet him."

I froze. I had never told my parents the true nature of my relationship with Julian. At the start, I hadn't fully grasped what being a kept woman meant. Julian had been good to me, and I had foolishly assumed he simply feared the constraints of marriage. Back then, I had been eager to introduce him to my parents, wanting them to know I had a boyfriend who cared for me.

But Julian had met that suggestion with a chilling rejection. He had told me, "Lina, learn your place."

It was then that I realized he wasn't joking. To him, I was nothing more than a pastime, a plaything. I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and forced a weak excuse. "Mom, he's very busy with work. He probably won't have time lately."

Fearing she would press for more details, I quickly told her I had schoolwork to finish and hung up.

Later, I went to the library to organize materials for my graduation thesis. During my research, a message arrived from Julian.

"8:00 PM. I'll have Larry pick you up for the Sotheby's auction."

Recalling his promise to compensate me after the previous night, I sent a simple reply. "Okay."

I became so buried in my work that I nearly lost track of the time. It wasn't until 7:30 PM that I finally finished my makeup, changed into my dress, and headed out. Larry was already waiting downstairs, maintaining his professional demeanor as he held the car door open for me.

During the drive, Larry inquired in his usual businesslike tone, "Miss Randolph, Mr. Astor asked me to confirm the date of your graduation ceremony so he can arrange his schedule."

A small smile pulled at my lips. "In twenty days."

In twenty days, I would attend the graduation ball, and that very night, I would fly to the East Coast to begin the NIH project. Previously, I had never dared to hope Julian would attend my graduation. But now, perhaps spending that final day together could serve as a decent farewell to this relationship.

The car pulled up to the entrance of the Sotheby's auction house. Having accompanied Julian here before, I was familiar with the venue. I told Larry he could leave and headed inside to wait.

After some time, a stir rippled through the crowd. I heard voices calling out, "Julian Astor is here." I stood up to greet him, but as I drew closer, I saw Julian walking side-by-side with Victoria Sterling.

Victoria wore a deep red backless gown. She stood tall and regal, her eyes flashing with the arrogant pride of a top-tier socialite. There was no trace of the disheveled woman I had seen at the clubhouse.

My footsteps faltered. Around me, the whispers of the elite guests reached my ears.

"The Sterling heiress is Julian's ex-girlfriend. I heard that he had been madly in love with her. Now that she's back, there's no room left for that trophy girlfriend, Lina."

"Lina? She's just Julian's plaything. How could she possibly compare to Ms. Sterling?"

I stood rooted to the spot, my feet feeling as heavy as lead. Julian kept his hand firmly on Victoria's, his gaze anchored to her with an undeniable look of doting affection. When they passed me, he spared me only a cursory glance, as if looking at an insignificant stranger on the street.

I sat back down, dazed.

The auction began shortly thereafter. The atmosphere of extreme luxury made me feel like I was sitting on needles. I didn't belong in this circle, and I never would.

Suddenly, the auctioneer announced the next lot. "Our next item is a 19th-century Victorian antique gold locket. It is exquisitely crafted and once belonged to a noble family..."

I recognized it instantly. It was my mother's family heirloom. My mother cherished that locket above all else. It had been left to her by her great-grandmother. She was usually too afraid of damaging it to even wear it, only taking it out occasionally to polish the gold. When my father fell ill, she had sold all her jewelry to pay for his treatment, including that locket. I never expected it to appear at an auction like this.

I felt a desperate need to buy it back for her.

"We start the bidding at twenty thousand dollars!" the auctioneer called.

Fearing other guests would drive the price up, I raised my paddle immediately.

"Fifty thousand dollars!" The auctioneer's gavel hovered in the air. "Fifty thousand dollars once, twice..."

The people in this room were all wealthy beyond measure, and few had much interest in a small, simple antique. I thought I had it secured.

Then, a sweet, clear female voice rang out through the hall. "Five hundred thousand dollars."

I looked up. The person holding the paddle was Victoria. Her eyes were bright with a competitive fire. She lowered her paddle and tugged on Julian's sleeve, whispering something in his ear. Julian reached out and brushed her hair behind her ear, nodding with a mix of helplessness and spoiled indulgence.

With Julian stepping in, I knew I had no chance of winning. But this was the thing my mother valued most in the world. Just as I prepared to raise my paddle to bid again, Julian's clear, resonant voice echoed through the room.

"I am bidding for this lady," he announced, looking at Victoria. "No matter what anyone else bids, I will double it."