Chapter 2

But Julian didn't get a text from me begging for reconciliation.

Instead, he got a call from a mutual friend probing him:

"Julian, did you and Sienna really break up? I heard she’s been going on a lot of blind dates lately."

"Blind dates?"

Julian was stunned for a second, then laughed mockingly.

Swirling his drink, his tone was incredibly arrogant:

"I knew it. She’s just too proud to come back directly, so she’s playing hard to get to give me a way out. Otherwise, how would you even hear about this? Whatever, I’ll give her a break."

Confident, he pulled out his phone and dialed my number.

He even cleared his throat, rehearsing his opening line.

But when the call connected, all he got was a cold, automated voice:

[The number you have dialed is currently unavailable.]

Julian frowned.

In disbelief, he hung up and redialed.

This time, it rang once and went straight to voicemail. He tried again, only to hear a busy tone.

Refusing to believe it, he tried to send a text, only to see a glaring red exclamation mark.

His friend, watching his awkward breakdown, asked cautiously:

"Julian, you okay?"

Julian put his phone away, forcing a relaxed tone:

"Yeah! Why wouldn't I be? She just blocked me. Women always play these petty games. Give her a few days, and she’ll get over herself."

The friend gave a polite laugh but said nothing.

The next day, I ran into Julian again at an upscale auction.

I was looking down at the catalog when a familiar voice sounded above me:

"What, did you hear I invited Chloe as my date today, so you crashed the event?"

I looked up.

Julian had walked over to my row, with Chloe clinging tightly to his arm.

They sat down in the empty seats right next to me, looking provocative.

I gave them a brief glance, didn't even bother to reply, and went back to my catalog.

My silence clearly angered Julian.

He sneered, mocking me:

"Sienna, there's a limit to playing hard to get."

"Stalking me all the way here... aren't you just trying to get my attention?"

I didn't even spare him a glance, calmly waiting for the auction to start.

Seeing me completely unfazed, Julian’s face darkened.

Just then, a stunning emerald necklace was brought onto the stage. It caught my eye.

I raised my paddle:

"Two million."

Julian’s eyes lit up, and he immediately raised his own paddle:

"Three million."

He leaned in. "You like it? If I bid for it, will you stop this silent treatment?"

Before Julian could finish, Chloe immediately started bidding against him.

"Three.five million. I love this piece too."

She looked at me smugly. "It's an auction, high bidder wins. You won't be mad, right, Sienna?"

I didn't say a word and raised my paddle again:

"Four million."

But the price kept climbing as Chloe intentionally drove it up.

Julian thought it was the perfect time to strike.

He leaned over, his voice commanding:

"Sienna, just agree to get back with me."

"I’ll win this necklace from her right now and give it to you. Consider it my apology. How's that for sincerity?"

I turned my head, finally looking at Julian.

I sneered:

"Not interested."

Julian’s expression froze, a mix of humiliation and anger washing over his face. He threatened in a low voice:

"Sienna, don't push your luck!"

He turned back and raised his paddle:

"Ten million!"

I didn't bid again.

It didn't matter how much I bid; Chloe would always interfere before the hammer fell.

I didn't even want the man anymore, let alone a necklace.

But just then, a commotion broke out near the stage. The auctioneer received a note from a staff member, read it, and smiled with excitement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, a VIP has just placed a blank check buyout on this 'Tears of the Forest'!"

"According to the rules, this item goes directly to this VIP!"

A blank check buyout!

The crowd erupted.

The necklace was beautiful, but it wasn't worth a blank check buyout. Whoever did it had insane money.

For a moment, the three of us were stunned. Feeling bored, and having no interest in the remaining items, I got up to leave.

But a waiter carrying a delicate velvet tray pushed through the crowd.

And stopped right in front of me.

On the tray lay the very emerald necklace that had just been bought out.

The waiter bowed slightly:

"Miss Sienna, our VIP guest requested that this be given to you."