The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

This bidding war...

Are they just burning money for fun?

Seeing how things were escalating, Stella leaned in and whispered, "Antoney, stop raising the bid. I only sold that painting for two hundred thousand back then. If they're crazy enough to pay eight million, let them have it."

Antoney shook his head, eyes fixed on her. "Star, I'm not backing down so easily this time. And don't worry about the money-I'll ask my father for a loan if I need to."

Stella insisted, "Antoney, this painting just isn't worth that much.”

At that moment, the auctioneer began the countdown.

"Eight million—any more bids? Eight million, going once..."

Neville, who'd been quiet all along, suddenly raised his paddle.

"Nine million."

Stella and Abby exchanged startled glances, turning to look at him.

Stella said, "Mr. Connolly, you really don't have to waste your money on this painting. It's not worth the price."

Neville just smiled, the corner of his mouth turning up. "Says who? If you love it, that's all that matters."

Sherman, watching the price soar to nine million, began to waver. Sure, his family was wealthy, but they weren't fools. This painting had already far exceeded its original value.

Simone, baffled by the frenzy, leaned in, "Maybe we should just let it go?"

Sherman clenched his fist. "No way. I can't let Aurora's portrait end up in someone else's hands."

Simone's head snapped toward him. "That's a portrait of Aurora?"

Sherman nodded. "Don't you see it? The woman in the painting-her silhouette looks just like Aurora from behind."

Simone studied the painting for a few seconds. "You know, I didn't notice at first, but now that you mention it... it does look like her. But how could Aurora's portrait end up here?"

Sherman shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe this 'summer' person glimpsed her practicing piano one day. Or maybe he has a thing for her."

Simone frowned. "Isn't it a violation of her rights to paint Aurora without permission? Can't we ask the seller to pull it from the auction?"

Sherman sighed. "We thought about that when we first saw the painting. But the artist is slippery. He only left the pseudonym 'summer'-no way to trace him, and even the original buyer can't get in touch. Plus, it's only her silhouette. When we contacted the auction house, they flat out denied it was Aurora at all.”

A few years ago, Sherman and Aurora had stumbled upon this very painting. Back then, Aurora wanted it desperately, but even at a million, it was out of reach-they were both still students. Sherman was living paycheck to paycheck, and Aurora never relied on her family for money. Neither had the cash, so they could only watch as someone else snatched it up.

Aurora smiled. "Honestly, I really do love this painting. It may look simple, but that's what makes it a true test of an artist's skill. Whoever painted this has a solid foundation-at least ten years' experience, I'd betд've followed 'summer' for a while; his technique improves with every piece. I suspect he's had some serious training lately, to progress that much." noveldrama

With that, Aurora lifted her paddle, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Ten million."