"She'll understand my difficulties."

That was the sentence Adriana heard as she came up.

In this house, the only person Chris would bare his heart to late at night was Joan. The "she" in his words could only be her.

What difficulties could Chris possibly have? She didn't understand—and had no desire to.

Adriana withdrew her hand from the doorknob and turned to go downstairs.

She had no intention of eavesdropping, nor any interest in interrupting them.

…

The next morning, Adriana left early for work as usual. Being stuck in rush-hour traffic was irritating, but when she thought about the chaos at home, even the blaring horns sounded pleasant—far better than Edward's crying.

When she arrived at the office, a middle-aged man wearing thin-rimmed glasses was just coming out of the chairman's office.

He wore a sharply tailored black vest suit with a matching tie. His white shirt was fastened with gold cufflinks, and his watch was a pale gold in the same tone. His figure was well maintained, his appearance neat and refined, carrying an air of understated elegance.

Charlie introduced him. "Adriana, this is Mr. Reeves."

Adriana hurriedly bowed. "Good morning, Mr. Reeves."

Neo nodded and walked down the steps at an unhurried pace.

"Adriana, if you need anything in the future, come to me. Treat this place like your own home."

Every gesture was gentle and cultured.

Adriana felt he didn't resemble a businessman so much as a scholar-official from the olden days.

"Thank you, Mr. Reeves."

She noticed his gaze lingering on her and looked back out of curiosity. The longer she looked, the more familiar he seemed.

Yet she was certain she didn't know someone of his stature.

Behind their computers, the office staff stole glances and exchanged looks. It was the first time they'd seen Mr. Reeves be this warm toward anyone.

Neo withdrew his gaze and strode off. Charlie and the other three secretaries followed.

Charlie motioned for Adriana to come along.

She picked up her laptop and hurried after them.

After the elevator descended a few floors, Charlie followed Neo into a spacious, well-lit conference room. The three other secretaries went into the adjacent room.

Adriana followed into the neighboring room and found a seat.

The female secretary, Carla Mowinsky, pointed to the headset on the table. "Mr. Reeves will be discussing a collaboration with the CEO of Paradigm Group. We're responsible for recording and summarizing the meeting."

"Thank you," Adriana said with a smile, putting on the headset and opening her laptop.

Ten minutes later, a deep, magnetic male voice came through the earpiece.

The familiar sound ran through her like an electric current. Her heart skipped a beat, and an image flashed through her mind.

She only lost focus for a moment before quickly regaining her composure and continuing to take notes.

It was her first day at work. She couldn't afford mistakes.

Two hours later, the meeting ended.

Adriana grabbed her laptop and was the first to rush out, staring anxiously at the tightly closed conference room door.

Carla followed her out. "Adriana, we need to hurry back and consolidate the key points. Mr. Reeves wants to review them."

Adriana kept looking back as she walked. Even when she stepped into the elevator, no one came out of the conference room.

Back at her desk, she searched for Paradigm Group.

There was very little information online. It was a multinational group that had risen in the past six months. Its CEO was named Francesco Este, a Mitalian.

Adriana had never heard the name. She closed the webpage, feeling slightly disappointed.

There were too many people with similar voices. Even Chris and his elder brother, Dean, were hard to tell apart.

The rest of the day was busy, leaving her no time to dwell on anything else.

Before getting off work, Charlie praised her for summarizing the technical aspects of the meeting exceptionally well. Mr. Reeves wanted her to work more closely with the technical department in the future.

The good news swept away her fatigue. Since getting married, she hadn't received affirmation from anyone else.

With more than ten minutes left before clocking out, she idly flipped through a magazine Charlie had left on her desk.

The first page announced an auction at the Deseigh Cultural Arts Center at 7:30 that evening.

Curious, she browsed the items.

When Grandma Rosie was alive, she loved collecting vases and jewelry.

Influenced by her, Adriana had also begun paying attention to auctions.

On the third page, a rose-shaped brooch made of entwined gold wire and set with rubies leapt into view.

Adriana's breath caught. Her nose burned as a rush of emotions—like rough stones—scraped painfully against her chest.

That was the "Heart of the Rose."

It was her mother's favorite brooch when she was alive. Her father had given it to her as a token of love.

After her parents' accident, relatives came and many things went missing. Even this brooch disappeared.

She had been eight years old then. All she remembered was that her parents didn't even have complete bodies.

She clutched the two urns tightly, struggling to stand, while the towering adults pulled at her.

An aunt told her to go with her. An uncle wanted to take her home. She was passed back and forth like an object.

Within half a year, those same relatives began to resent her, tossing her around from place to place.

Only when she grew up did Adriana learn the term for it—devouring an orphan's estate.

They fought over property, not the burdensome child she'd been.

She stared at the brooch in the magazine, so distressed she could barely breathe.

It was as if she'd been dragged back to that year, watching her parents' urns set down carelessly.

Adriana clocked out quickly. To avoid traffic, she scanned a shared bike and headed straight for the Deseigh Cultural Arts Center.

After drifting between relatives' homes for half a year, she'd inherited nothing her parents had left behind.

She had to buy back the "Heart of the Rose".

The brooch wasn't an antique. It was just exquisitely crafted, with a ruby of some value. It shouldn't attract sky-high bids.

At the Deseigh Cultural Arts Center, Adriana completed the identity verification.

After confirming she was the wife of Chris Slater, CEO of Slater Group, the staff didn't require a deposit.

"Mrs. Slater, Mr. Slater has already made an online reservation and paid the deposit. This is your bidding paddle."

Adriana accepted paddle number 122.

Chris had paid the deposit. That meant whatever she bid would be charged to his account.

Holding the paddle, she entered the specially arranged hall, determined to reclaim her mother's keepsake.

She'd come straight from work without changing clothes. The usher assumed she was an employee bidding on behalf of her boss and led her to a seat near the back corner.

Half an hour later, the hall gradually filled up.

The auctioneer, dressed in a formal dress, stepped onto the stage, and the room fell silent.

According to the magazine, "Heart of the Rose" was the ninth item.

Adriana waited anxiously, barely registering the earlier lots.

When the auctioneer finally announced "Heart of the Rose," she straightened, the hand holding her paddle trembling slightly.

"This is no ordinary piece of jewelry. Every petal you see has been shaped by layers of gold wire, painstakingly wound by hand.

"At its core is a 5.21-carat pigeon-blood ruby, pure in color and perfectly set within—becoming the beating heart of this golden rose, a symbol of love's indestructible strength…"

Adriana held her breath, eyes locked on the brooch, terrified her mother's keepsake might vanish again.

At last, the auctioneer swept her gaze across the room, voice solemn.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the starting price for 'Heart of the Rose' is 200 thousand dollars."

"210 thousand!"

Adriana raised her paddle without hesitation. Cold sweat soaked her palms. Her heart raced as she silently prayed no one would compete with her.

In the front row, Chris turned at the sound. Joan followed his gaze.

"Chris, you didn't say Adriana would be here."

"I didn't know she was coming."

Chris's eyes fell on the brooch. The corner of his lips lifted slightly—it was rare for Adriana to like a piece of jewelry.

At that moment, Joan, seated beside him, raised her paddle.

"250 thousand!"

Adriana only realized Joan and Chris were there when she heard Joan's voice. Chris never came to events like this. Even if there was something he wanted, he would have his assistant bid on his behalf.

Tonight, he was here mostly to accompany Joan.

Chris spoke calmly. "That's something Adriana likes. Pick something else."

"'Heart of the Rose' has a unique design. It would be a huge help to my work in the jewelry industry. I really need it." Joan rested her hand lightly on Chris's knee and pleaded softly, "We can buy Adriana something even better, okay?"

Before Chris could respond, Adriana's clear voice rang out from the back.

"300 thousand!"

Joan lowered her head, disappointment written all over her face.

"To Adriana, 'Heart of the Rose' is just a pretty brooch. To me, it's a work of art. Chris, you said that no matter what I liked, you'd give it to me."

Chris leaned back against his chair, his expression unchanged. "Go ahead then."

Adriana's interest in jewelry had always been fleeting. He could simply buy her a bigger, more expensive gem later. Joan, on the other hand, was well-versed in gemstones and intended to enter the jewelry business.

"320 thousand!" A flash of triumph crossed Joan's eyes, her voice lifting unconsciously.

"350 thousand." Adriana raised her paddle and increased the bid evenly.

Either way, the money came out of Chris's account—marital assets. If Joan dared to use their shared money to bid, Adriana had no reason to hold back.

"400 thousand!"

"450 thousand!"

…

Neither side gave way, and the price climbed with each round.

After several bids, Adriana called out a staggering figure.

"One million."

"Chris, Adriana is clearly determined to fight me for it." Joan set down her paddle, her gaze lingering reluctantly on the radiant "Heart of the Rose."

"I can't bear to waste your money recklessly. That brooch isn't worth one million. Let her have it."

Chris considered for a moment, then motioned to a staff member and spoke to him in a low voice.

Having received instructions, the auctioneer did not bring the gavel down right away.

"Jewels are easy to come by. Love is not," the auctioneer said solemnly. "Does anyone wish to raise the bid?"

Adriana watched the room tensely. As long as no one bid again, her mother's keepsake would finally return to her.

At that moment, a staff member leaned over and whispered, "Mrs. Slater, Mr. Slater says his bidding account is not authorized for your use. If you wish to continue bidding, you'll need to pay a separate deposit."

Adriana froze. Her paddle drooped in front of her, her fingers curling so tightly they hurt. Her heart plunged into icy water, a dense, biting cold gnawing at her ribs.

She instinctively looked toward the familiar figure in the front row. He didn't even turn around.

It felt like a slap across the face, leaving her humiliated and exposed. Even when Joan and Edward had moved into the house, she hadn't felt this crushed—this disappointed.

"Fine. I'll pay the deposit now." Her voice came out with effort, her throat clogged as if stuffed with damp, rotting cloth, nauseating and suffocating.

"But the paperwork takes time," the staff member said hesitantly. "If someone bids one million during that time, then—"

"Go. Now." Adriana braced herself against the chair and stood up as the auctioneer's voice floated over.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, if anyone is willing to bid one million—and no further bids are placed—the 'Heart of the Rose' will be sold."

"One million!" Joan raised her paddle high, her voice loud and decisive.

Adriana halted mid-step, one hand gripping the back of a chair, her face drained of all color.

She wouldn't get it.

Her entire savings amounted to just two million. Even if there were time, Joan had Chris backing her—she could never outbid them. Helplessness and rage churned in her chest, grievance clogging her throat until she could barely breathe.

She stared at the brooch onstage, so achingly familiar, her vision blurring little by little. She was eight years old again, watching her parents' belongings vanish one by one, powerless to stop it.

"One million, once! Any higher bids?

"One million, twice!

"One million—"

"1.1 million!" A man hurried in. Before he even sat down, he raised his paddle and called out loudly.

"No matter what anyone else bids, I'll add one more increment—until it's mine."

All eyes turned toward him. A low buzz of murmurs swept through the room.

Some people began to doubt themselves. Was this brooch actually a priceless antique? If not, this was far too strange.

The bidding war had already reached one million, and now, a man had announced he was ready to pay any amount for it.

The most stunned of all was Adriana. Why was Charlie bidding on the "Heart of the Rose"?

"Love is elevated at this very moment!" the auctioneer declared passionately. "Ladies and gentlemen, is anyone else willing to breathe life into love?"

His gaze fell on Joan. She was calm, with no intention of bidding again.

Chris remained composed. "Joan, you can continue."

Joan smiled at him. "No need. Your feelings for me are far more precious than the 'Heart of the Rose.'"

She had no real interest in that worthless brooch. Competing with Adriana—that was the real fun.

Chris said nothing. Avoiding her gaze, he turned slightly to look toward the back.

Adriana sat there blankly, her small face pale, tears pooling in her eyes.

Something twisted in his chest—a sharp pain he couldn't quite name.

"I'll head back first. If you see anything you like, just bid on it."

The last time he'd seen Adriana cry was when Grandma Rosie passed away. It was just a brooch. Did it really matter that much?

An assistant came over to push his wheelchair, and Joan stood as well. "I'm not interested in the remaining items either. Let's go together."

Chris didn't respond. As he passed Adriana, he stopped—but didn't dare look at her.

"Take another look. If there's any jewelry you like, I'll buy it for you. Consider it compensation."

Compensation.

Again, compensation.

To Chris, it seemed everything in the world could be paid off with money.

Adriana tipped her head back, forcing the tears away, and took a deep breath. Then she lifted her head and gave him a mocking glance. She said nothing and strode out.

Once, Chris had been her anchor. Now, he was the blade outsiders used to stab her. The pain was unbearable—just like losing her mother's keepsake all over again.

"Chris, go wait in the car. I'll talk to Adriana," Joan said.

At the entrance, she grabbed Adriana's arm. The warmth from earlier was gone, replaced by icy provocation. Her eyes gleamed with smug triumph.

"Adriana, after all these years, you still haven't grown at all. You couldn't beat me back then. You still can't now."

Adriana laughed coldly. "That's right. You've always liked stealing from me—jewelry, clothes, cheap little trinkets."

Anything Adriana liked, anything Chris bought for her, Joan would take.

Back then, because she was Chris's fiancée, Adriana didn't want to make a scene and always gave way. They were just trivial things, after all. And every time Joan took something, Chris would compensate Adriana with something even more expensive.

But this time was different. This wasn't something expendable.

If Joan hadn't deliberately competed with her, she would have secured the "Heart of the Rose" before Charlie arrived.

Adriana looked Joan up and down with open disgust, her red lips curling into a scornful smile.

"You know, Joan," she said coolly, "only stray dogs enjoy fighting over scraps."