Janice did not waste any time. She moved straight back into her parents' home.

The Douglas family had never been fond of Adrian and his carefree life overseas, believing he had just been a two-year detour for their beloved daughter. They had been on Janice's case to dump him for ages.

Because of that, she had had more than her fair share of arguments with them.

The Douglas family was buzzing with excitement. Their daughter Janice had finally seen the light, ditching Adrian and even agreeing to marry into the prestigious Graham family. They were all smiles as they dove into planning the big day.

"How about the Kingsley Hotel for the venue? Their weddings are the talk of Luminous City," suggested Janice's mom, Natalie Yates, as she affectionately ruffled her daughter's soft hair. "You've dreamed of a wedding there since you were a little girl, and now, just like that, my baby girl is all grown up and ready to start her own life."

Janice had always been eager to grow up, especially since Adrian came into her life. She imagined herself in a stunning white gown, walking down the aisle of the city's most opulent hotel, feeling like a princess on her way to meet him.

Yet, she was about to marry someone else in that very hotel, not Adrian.

Her dad, Paul Douglas, could not stop grinning. "Perfect! The Grahams are the cream of the crop in Jubilee City. Only the best for them. That being said, will two hundred seats do?"

Janice shook her head. "Sean and I want to keep it low-key. No need for a big crowd, just family."

Paul paused, then agreed with a nod.

"Marrying into the Grahams is a big deal for us. I didn't expect you to say yes so fast. We haven't even started the PR work. A big to-do doesn't seem right. We'll do it your way."

Natalie was all smiles, tugging Janice along to pick out the perfect flowers for the wedding. She held up a bunch of roses, vibrant and fresh, and waved them in front of Janice. "Baby girl, check out these roses. They scream celebration, don't they?"

Janice was about to respond when her phone buzzed out of the blue. She glanced at the screen, saw a number she did not recognize, and hit 'ignore'.

However, the phone rang again almost immediately.

Janice ignored the call once more and blocked the number without hesitation.

Alas, another call came through, this time from a different number, persistent as ever. Janice sighed and retreated to her room to take the call.

"Janice, isn't it time to stop the silent treatment? If I don't call you, are you just never coming back? You're too old for these runaway stunts!" Adrian's voice came through, laced with irritation. "And you blocked me? Really?" He was clearly annoyed. "All this because Yvette crashed at our place for one night? You're jealous over that? She was terrified, alone at night. Was I supposed to leave her out on the streets?"

Janice cut him off with a frosty, "What do you want?"

Adrian was taken aback. Janice had never been that icy with him before, and it threw him off.

"If there's nothing important, I'm hanging up."

"Wait!" He cleared his throat, trying to sound gentler. "Look, it's been three days. Aren't you over it yet? I've got everything set up for the project, just waiting on your dad's confirmation. You're home now, so maybe you could–you know–charm him into signing off on it sooner?"

He had finally gotten to the point. As usual, it was all about the project.

Janice brushed off his comment and switched gears. "Hey, your mom's meds are probably almost out, and it's about time for her monthly check-up. Make sure you take her, okay? I'll text you her shrink's number later."

Sean's mom, Teresa Harris, had been through the wringer. Marvin Smith, her husband, had been messing around, and it hit Teresa hard. She got slammed with some heavy-duty anxiety, and for a while, she could not even handle day-to-day stuff.

Janice had been her rock, though, spending tons of time making sure Teresa got to her therapy sessions and stayed on top of her meds. Teresa was not exactly up for socializing, but she was a lot more even-keeled those days and could take care of herself.

The last thing Janice wanted was for her drama with Adrian to mess with Teresa's progress. Teresa had been decent to her, and Janice was not about to go cold-hearted on her then.

Adrian's voice was all lazy and nonchalant. "You know the drill with my mom's issues better than I do. You've got this, right?"

That was the last straw for Janice. The guy was about to tie the knot with someone else and still had the nerve to lean on her? She must have been out of her mind to fall for a dude like that!

"I've got my own stuff to deal with!" Janice snapped back and cut the call, no second thoughts.

Janice was not just making up excuses. She and Sean had to throw their wedding together super fast, and there was a whole bunch of stuff they did not have time to sort out, like the dream dress. No chance to get some fancy designer to whip up something special.

However, luck was on her side. There was this big 'Wedding & Romance' auction going down in Luminous City tomorrow, and the showstopper? A drop-dead gorgeous gown by some world-class designer, the kind that every girl fantasized about, and it was worth a fortune.

Janice was about to get hitched, and even though her groom was not Adrian, the guy she had been pining for all those years, she was not about to phone in on her big day.

She had her heart set on snagging that dreamy wedding gown at the auction.

As she strutted up to the auction house, she ran smack into Yvette.

Yvette's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw Janice. "What are you doing here?" she gasped.

Janice just brushed past her, heading for the action inside.

However, Yvette clung on like a bad rash, blocking Janice's way. "Janice, this auction's all about wedding gear. You don't need any of this stuff. Why crash the party?"

Janice paused, giving Yvette a level look. "Oh, I don't need it, but you do?"

"Absolutely!" Yvette flashed her ten-carat diamond ring, clapping a hand over her mouth as she cackled like a proud chicken. "Bet you didn't know, Janice, but I'm tying the knot!"

She flaunted her bling in Janice's face. "See this rock? My fiance popped the question with it: ten whole carats, set me back 4.5 million bucks. Gorgeous, right?

"He's even booked the swanky Kingsley Hotel for the wedding bash, and we're flying in the flowers by private jet.

"To be honest, I couldn't care less about all that jazz, but he's so worried about spoiling me. So here I am, ready to splurge on whatever catches my eye."

Janice did not give Yvette the green-eyed look she was fishing for. Instead, she just cracked a small smile. "Really? What a coincidence. I'm getting married too."

"No way! He's supposed to be marrying–"

"Yvette!"

Adrian's voice cut through the air like a knife, slicing off Yvette's words mid-sentence.

He stormed forward, planting himself firmly between the two women, his gaze drilling into Janice with a fury he could not contain.

"You skipped out on taking my mom to the hospital for this auction? When did you start losing sight of what really matters?

"You ignore your responsibilities and tail me here instead. What's your game, Janice?"

Janice looked up at the man who had been the king of her heart for 16 years, the one she had followed around like a shadow, dreaming of the day she would become his wife.

At this point, his face seemed alien to her, nothing like the sharp, sunny guy she had held in her memories.

In a heartbeat, 16 years of tangled emotions evaporated into thin air.

Janice met his eyes, her voice ice-cold. "Adrian, you're well aware she's your mother. My being here is none of your business."

"How can you say that? Are you trying to blackmail me into marrying you by snapping up all this stuff? Let me tell you–"

Adrian was cut off mid-rant.

Janice shoved past him and strode into the auction hall without a backward glance.

Adrian made to follow, but Yvette, tears streaming down her face, grabbed his sleeve, her voice trembling, "Who are you really marrying? Why did she just say she's getting married, too?

"You promised to marry me at Kingsley Hotel. Was that all just a lie? Is she the one you're actually going to marry there?" Yvette's eyes were swollen from crying.

Adrian's heart shattered at the sight of her distress.

Adrian quickly took Yvette's hand, his voice a hushed urgency as he promised, "You're the only bride for me, Yvette, always.

"That girl's got it bad for me, chasing me down even to the auction to spill her heart out. Her talk of marriage is just a fantasy.

"We're just waiting for the deal to close, right? We were supposed to sign tomorrow, but there's been no word. Don't worry, the moment her dad signs on the dotted line, we're getting hitched!"

"No way!" Yvette's lips formed a pout. "Wait, wait, wait, how long is that going to be? You've got the hotel booked already. Let's just go through with the wedding tomorrow, or we're done!"

Adrian wavered.

Yvette stomped her foot and spun around to leave.

He could easily pull off a small wedding. On the big day, he would just throw out a business trip excuse. Janice would never question him; she would be none the wiser.

With that thought, Adrian grabbed Yvette's arm, a determined edge to his voice. "Alright! Your wish is my command. We'll get married tomorrow."

Yvette halted, her sobs turning into a grin, "So, I can bid on anything I want later at the auction, right? Especially that wedding dress. I've been dreaming of wearing it to marry you."

"Buy, buy, buy, whatever you want, Your Highness!"

Yvette's laugh was filled with triumph.

At the auction, Yvette was quick on the draw, raising her paddle right after Janice.

Round after round, Yvette outbid Janice for every item she wanted.

Yvette met Janice's questioning look with a curl of her red lips and a laugh that was both wild and proud. "Sorry, Janice. I'm getting married, and I need all these things."

Adrian chimed in, trying to cool things down. "Come on, let it go. Girls love their sparkles and frills; no need to make a big deal out of it."

Janice just flashed a subtle smile and looked away.

She had her eyes on the prize all along, the show-stopping wedding gown at the end of the auction. The other items? She was just there for the thrill of the game.

If Yvette wanted a bidding war, Janice was game to play along and drive up the stakes.

So, with each new item up for grabs, Janice was right there, paddle in the air.

Yvette was not about to back down. The two went back and forth, and before long, Yvette had snagged those pieces at prices that were through the roof, way more than they were worth.

The crowd was buzzing, throwing Yvette looks that were a mix of awe and something else.

Yvette was basking in the limelight, head held high, loving every second of it.

Adrian just leaned back, the picture of resignation, but his eyes told a different story: they were practically glowing with affection.

Finally, the moment of truth: the grand finale. The international designer's crowning achievement in bridal fashion was rolled out.

Yvette could not wait. Before Janice could even blink, Yvette's paddle shot up. "4.5 million dollars!" she called out.

Janice took her time, then lifted her paddle with ease. "7.5 million dollars."

Yvette spun around, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Janice, I need this dress for my wedding. You're not even getting married right now, so why not step aside for me?"

Janice just smiled, unfazed, and up went her paddle again. "10.5 million dollars."

The auctioneer was thrilled, hammer poised and voice soaring: "Ms. Douglas has gone up to 10.5 million dollars! Do I hear any advance on 10.5 million dollars? Going once for 10.5 million dollars!"

"You!" Yvette was seething, her face a picture of fury as she shot her bidding paddle into the air: "12 million dollars!"

Her glare at Janice was venomous. "That dress is mine. You're not even close to getting married, so why waste your time?"

Janice was the picture of calm, barely batting an eyelid as she lifted her paddle. "15 million dollars."

Then, Adrian was on edge, his grip on Janice's arm like a vice. He hissed, "Are you out of your mind? I get that you're eager to tie the knot, but does it have to be this blatant?"

Janice's smile was cryptic, her reply smooth as silk. "Some things money can't buy, and I'm using my own cash. How is that any of your concern?"

Adrian was speechless.

Yvette, fuming and stamping her foot, declared, "Alright, you want a showdown? Let's see who comes out on top!"

With that, she thrust her paddle up. "22.5 million dollars!"

The crowd gasped in disbelief.

The auctioneer, grinning from ear to ear, announced, "We have 22.5 million dollars from the lady here! Any further bids for 22.5 million dollars?"

Janice, cool as ever, switched her paddle to the other hand and raised it. "30 million dollars."

Yvette was hot on the heels with a shout, "33 million bucks!"

Janice was right on her tail, not giving an inch. "37.5 million!"

...

The whole room was electric, all eyes glued to the fierce bidding war between the two.

Yvette had just upped the ante to a cool 60 million when Janice looked ready to counter. That was when Adrian lost his cool. He snatched Janice up and hauled her out of the room.

"Janice, are you done playing games?

"Bidding a wedding dress up to 60 million? What's going through your head? You think if you drop a million on this dress, I'll be forced to marry you?

"You know, your little stunts are getting old! Marriage, marriage, marriage–is that all you can think about? How did I ever miss that you were this clueless?"

"Let me go!"

Janice was not having any of his rants. She wriggled and fought with all her might, her mind racing back to the auction. She had to win that dress, or she would be left with nothing for her wedding the next day!

However, Adrian was unyielding, gripping her so tight that her soft wrist started to show a ring of red.

Back in the fray, Yvette's bid sign did not waver.

The auctioneer was ready, hammer in hand. "60 million, going once, 60 million, going twice, 60 million..."

Yvette's smirk grew as the hammer hovered. Then, out of nowhere, an assistant in a slick black suit stepped up, his voice cutting through the tension: "Bid confirmed!"

"The wedding dress? Snagged by Graham Group's hotshot CEO!"

The room went dead quiet.

Everyone there was a big deal in Luminous City, but next to Jubilee City's elite Graham Group, they were nothing. Competing with them? Forget about it.

The auctioneer's gavel hit the block with a solid 'bang'. "Sold!"

Yvette's smile crumbled. She snatched up her purse and stormed out, shouldering past Janice with a hissed, "You did this!"

Adrian shot Janice a dirty look and snapped, "Nice job causing trouble!" before chasing after Yvette.

Before Janice could even blink, her phone chimed with two new texts.

[Whatever you want, consider it done.]

[Can't wait to see you tomorrow, my bride!]

Her mood did a 180, and a blush crept up her cheeks.