The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Ten million dollars!

The quiet auction hall erupted in an instant, buzzing with disbelief.

Summer had only been famous for a few years-she wasn't some legendary master with a name etched into art history. No matter how valuable her paintings were, there was just no way one of them could go for ten million. It was

outrageous.

And yet, just as Aurora announced her bid and the shockwaves still rippled through the crowd, Foreman who had been silent this whole time-raised his paddle.

"Eleven million."

Haynes, Jasper, and Rachel, all seated beside him, turned to stare in surprise.

Jasper was the first to speak, his voice incredulous. "Foreman, have you lost your mind? You're really about to drop eleven million on this? Are you sure you're not being reckless?"

Foreman's lips curled into a calm smile. "I came here for this painting, and nothing else."

Jasper muttered under his breath, "But you didn't even make a move when Stella and the others were bidding earlier."

Across the room, Aurora glanced in Foreman's direction, then confidently raised her paddle again.

"Twelve million."

Foreman didn't hesitate. "Thirteen million."

Sherman's face darkened as he looked at Foreman. "Is he just trying to outbid Aurora on purpose?"

Aurora genuinely loved this painting, and she could easily afford to go up to ten million. But going any higher? That was pushing the limits of reason.

After all, even ten-meter-long masterpieces by old masters rarely fetched more than ten or twenty million at auction. For such a simple painting to reach this price -well, it was only getting there because Aurora wanted it so badly.

She hesitated, then finally decided not to bid any further.

Just then, Sellers who hadn't made a sound the entire time-suddenly raised his paddle.noveldrama

"Fifteen million."

Neville chimed in immediately, "Sixteen million."

A hush fell over the entire room.

All eyes were glued to this surreal and almost farcical scene.

Stella and Abby exchanged glances, equally stunned.

Candida whispered, "Star, your painting's more popular than we ever imagined."

Abby rolled her eyes. "I think

Aurora's just trying to snatch it from Star on purpose. It's a portrait

Star after all-what's Aurora@ven doing here?"

Candida glanced over at Aurora's seat, catching a glimpse of her back from this angle. Her gaze flickered, then she looked at Stella again, brow furrowing in confusion.

Was it just her imagination, or did Star and Aurora look oddly similar from behind?

While they whispered, another bid came in.

"Eighteen million."

Everyone turned to look at the big spender-

No, the determined bidder.

And when they saw who it was, a strange look passed over the entire crowd.

It was Sellers again.

Sellers seemed unfazed by the attention, his composure perfectly intact despite everyone's eyes boring into him.

Foreman calmly raised his paddle once more. "Twenty million."

Jasper's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Foreman, are you insane? Twenty million for this painting?"

He reached over, half-joking, to touch Foreman's forehead. "No fever. So what's gotten into you?"

Haynes also looked at Foreman in confusion. “Is there something special about this painting we're missing?"

Foreman just smiled. "No, nothing special. I just happen to like it, that's all."

Neville looked as if he was about to raise the bid again, but Stella gently stopped him.

"Mr. Connolly, let's not. If you really want one, I can always paint another for you."

Abby immediately chimed in,

bet

"Exactly! The artist's right here she

can paint as many as you wane!!!

No

need to throw your money away."

Neville gazed at Stella, his eyes deep and unreadable. "You'd really paint another for me?"

For Stella, painting a portrait was hardly difficult—and Neville had helped her so much already.

She smiled warmly. "Of course. Just tell me what kind of painting you'd like, and I'll make one just for you."