Chapter 3

I immediately lowered my gaze, nodding like a tame puppy.

"I know. Sebastian, I was just stressed about the wedding..."

Before I could finish, Sebastian waved an irritated hand to cut me off.

He signaled a nearby waiter:

"Bring over a folding chair for her."

"Having her stand there makes me look bad!"

Only then did he look at me again.

"I don't have time to hear your excuses. You know I only like girls who behave."

"Keep quiet. The auction is about to start."

I didn't dare say another word, quietly settling into the cheap, flimsy chair.

Yet I kept my eyes locked on him, brimming with desperate longing.

My devoted stare clearly stroked his ego. He started bidding aggressively, claiming lot after lot. Soon, a parade of waiters stood before him holding luxury velvet boxes:

"Mr. Pierce, regarding these pieces... where should we deliver them?"

Sebastian didn't answer right away.

Instead, he turned toward Harper, playfully tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and spoke with exaggerated tenderness:

"Send them to Miss Hayes’s penthouse. Consider it a reward... for how sweet Harper’s been lately."

Harper let out a gasp of flattered surprise, throwing her arms around Sebastian's neck.

"Oh, Sebastian! You're spoiling me so much!"

Holding Harper close, Sebastian let his gaze wander over to me, clearly anticipating my breakdown.

I didn't disappoint him.

My head snapped up, and I scrambled to my feet, rushing to Sebastian's side looking completely shattered.

With red-rimmed, trembling eyes, I whimpered:

"Sebastian... what about me?"

"Please... don't stop loving me."

Sebastian let out a soft chuckle. He reached up and gave the back of my neck an affectionate squeeze, like petting an eager dog.

"What's the rush? The best things are always saved for last."

I was so easily soothed, obediently returning to my little chair.

When the final lot of the night was brought onto the stage, before the auctioneer could even open the bidding, Sebastian raised his paddle high.

"Blank check! I'm buying it out, whatever the price!"

The entire ballroom gasped!

The auctioneer’s voice shook with pure adrenaline, pushing the atmosphere to a fever pitch:

"Mr. Pierce takes the entire lot in one bold move!"

"May we ask which lucky lady will be gifted this one-of-a-kind diamond necklace, the ultimate symbol of 'Eternal Love'?"

After Sebastian's earlier reassurance, I played the part of someone completely convinced the necklace was mine. Under the envious stares of everyone present, I stood up with pure excitement and stepped in front of him.

Eyes swimming with tears of adoration, I whispered:

"Thank you, Sebastian. I knew it... I knew you loved me..."

Before I could finish, Sebastian's brow furrowed in utter annoyance.

"Who said this was for you?"

The smile on my face instantly froze. The color drained from my skin.

Sebastian scoffed.

He walked right past me, picked up the diamond necklace, and gently clasped it around Harper’s throat.

"Harper, you're the only one who deserves this."

Somewhere in the crowd, someone let out an audible snicker. Within seconds, that laugh morphed into a tidal wave of open, mocking laughter directed straight at me.

As if I truly couldn't endure another ounce of shame, tears burst from my eyes.

Covering my mouth, I stumbled and ran out of the ballroom.

Watching my retreating figure, Harper buried the concern in her eyes. She playfully tapped Sebastian's chest with a pout:

"Sebastian, aren't you teasing Wendy a bit too hard? What if she actually runs away?"

Sebastian let out an arrogant, dismissive chuckle.

"Run? Where would she go?"

"Everyone in our circle knows Wendy loves me so much she threw away every scrap of her pride. Making a fool out of her tonight is nothing. Even if I kicked her to the curb right now..."

"She'd still crawl back to my feet tomorrow morning."

Harper’s playful smile faltered, a flash of pity crossing her eyes.

Sebastian noticed and frowned.

"What's that look for?"

"Weren't you always whining about her trying to steal me away? Why are you suddenly feeling bad for Wendy?"

Harper instantly snapped back into her spoiled routine.

She puffed out her cheeks. "I'm not! I'm just worried you'll scare your bride off."

"If that happens... why don't I marry you instead?"

Sebastian’s arm around her waist suddenly tightened with brutal force, making her wince in pain.

His eyes turned dangerously cold as he warned her:

"Harper, don't get greedy. The position of Mrs. Pierce belongs to Wendy, and only Wendy."

He gave Harper’s cheek a patronizing pat, commanding:

"Now, since you feel so 'bad' for her... take the necklace off, find her, and give it to her. Tell her it’s from me. Then bring her back inside."

When Harper found me, I was sitting on a stone bench in the private garden outside the venue.

My shoulders were trembling in the shadows, looking like I was weeping uncontrollably.

Harper’s heart ached. She rushed over and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Wendy, let's call off the wedding."

"Don't marry a monster like Sebastian. Please stop crying..."

Before she could finish her comforting words, I suddenly whipped around.

Harper froze in shock.

There wasn't a single tear on my face. My whole body was trembling from pure, unadulterated euphoria.

Looking at her stunned face, I let out a wicked, triumphant smirk.

"Harper, you were right."

"Sebastian... he really did fall in love with me."

I leaned in, my eyes glowing with venomous cold:

"Sebastian Pierce is completely ruined."