The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

From the way things stood, even twenty million wouldn't cut it.

Thirty million probably wouldn't be enough, either.

This painting was, by far, the most expensive piece Stella had ever sold—she'd gotten about two hundred thousand for it back then.

But she never imagined it would someday be worth this much.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Stella's face.

If it were any other painting, she wouldn't give it a second thought. There was no

way she'd spend this much money just to buy back her own work.

But this painting was different from the rest.

The subject on the canvas was herself.

The idea that her own portrait was being admired and collected by strangers left her feeling a little unsettled.

That's why she wanted it back.

Stella gritted her teeth. "Let's raise it to fifty million, then."

Fifty million was no trifling sum.

Even some masterworks by renowned artists only fetched that much at auction.

Antoney said, "Go ahead and bid. I still have some savings set aside. Another fifty million won't be a problem."

Over the years, Antoney's independent career had flourished, and he'd managed to amass a tidy fortune-even if he hadn't yet returned to the Watson family.

But branching out on his own, starting his own studio, building a team, and putting on concerts had cost a small fortune, too.

At this point, he had just over fifty million left in his accounts.

Abby chimed in, "Between the two of you, that's a hundred million. That's got to be enough."

Stella hesitated. "As much as I want to buy this painting back, spending a hundred million on it is just... too much. Maybe I should let it go."

But Antoney shook his head. "It's your own portrait. Letting someone else buy it just feels wrong. If it takes a hundred million to get it back, so be it."

Stella said quietly, “Let's just see what happens.”

While they chatted, the bidding for Stella's painting had already climbed to thirty million.

Thirty million seemed to be a turning point; the number of bidders began to drop off sharply.

Stella finally breathed a little easier.

As long as it stayed under fifty million, she should be able to reclaim it.

Most artists hope their works fetch the highest price possible.

She was the exception-she was almost hoping it would go cheap.

She glanced at Abby, who gave her a reassuring nod, then raised her paddle. "Thirty-five million."

A five million increase-enough to discourage any other would-be bidders.

Sure enough, after Abby's bid, almost no one else dared to go higher.

Abby leaned over and whispered, "Star, looks like your painting's finally coming home."

Stella allowed herself a rare smile. "It's already a crazy price. I doubt anyone else will keep bidding."

For her, painting had always been a way to relax, to soothe her soul.

After she got married, she'd barely picked up a brush at all, and she dup

wasn't really up-to-date on the

world anymore.

She certainly never dreamed her work would fetch such an astronomical price.

The auctioneer, seeing that no one else was bidding, began the final call.

ive million. Any further b

million, going once..

thirty-five million, going twivel.ne

t belongs to

Suddenly, a low male voice echoed through the hushed auction hall.

"Forty million."

Every head in the room turned toward the speaker.

Sherman had entered the bidding.

Antoney's eyes went cold as he raised his own paddle.

"Fifty million."

Sherman glanced over at Antoney, then, without hesitation, raised his paddle as well. "Sixty million."

Antoney: "Seventy million."

Sherman: "Eighty million."

The room erupted in shocked whispers.

The minimum bid increase was supposed to be a hundred thousand each time.

But these two were raising the price by ten million with every bid.

The painting was certainlynoveldrama

and had plenty of potential to

appreciate in the future-but it

wasn't exactly a centuries-old masterpiece. Śwnovel