Chapter 152

Cassandra Delacroix had just returned to Montecito and decided to attend the auction for some entertainment.

She never expected to see Nathan Blackwood here. The moment she spotted him, everything else faded into the background—she had to get closer.

Three years ago, Evelyn Sinclair had stolen her chance with Nathan. Now, Cassandra refused to back down.

Nathan remained silent.

His expression was icy, the disdain in his gaze unmistakable. If Harrison, seated beside him, failed to recognize his boss’s displeasure, then all those years as Nathan’s right-hand man would have been wasted.

Harrison quickly suggested, "President Blackwood, perhaps we should switch seats?"

Nathan stood without a word, and Harrison swiftly moved aside, taking his original spot.

Cassandra’s furious glare burned into Harrison, but he pretended not to notice.

Evelyn’s phone buzzed. A message from Natalie Beaumont.

[Is that Cassandra Delacroix from Celestial Media sitting next to Nathan?]

Evelyn frowned slightly at the name before replying.

[Couldn’t tell.]

It took her a moment to recall who Cassandra was—the infamous socialite who had once declared she would marry no one but Nathan Blackwood.

Her father, Vincent Delacroix, was a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, and Cassandra had always gotten whatever she wanted.

After Nathan rejected her, she had been devastated and fled to Korea for cosmetic surgery. But while she was away, Nathan married Evelyn.

Now, freshly returned from her transformation, Cassandra sat just a few seats from Nathan, her bright eyes fixed on him.

Evelyn’s cold gaze flickered toward them.

Nathan turned his head, catching sight of Evelyn speaking softly with Julian Moreau.

Her profile was delicate, her smile revealing charming dimples. She looks radiant when she’s not angry.

But the sight of her so close to Julian sent a sharp irritation through him. His expression darkened.

The woman beside him—Cassandra—noticed his shift and followed his gaze.

"Oh!" she exclaimed dramatically. "Looks like Ms. Sinclair has a new admirer. Julian Moreau, isn’t it? His debut drama was a massive hit. She certainly knows how to pick them."

Nathan’s voice was icy. "This isn’t your seat."

Cassandra stiffened, then forced a smile. "My father organized this auction. People are happy to accommodate me."

She meant she could sit wherever she pleased.

But Nathan wasn’t interested.

The auction began, and Evelyn found herself fixated on a single item—a pair of cufflinks.

When bidding started at $200,000, Julian raised his paddle without hesitation.

"$250,000!"

The price climbed rapidly to $600,000. Julian hesitated—this was a steep sum for a rising actor.

Evelyn decided to step in. Since he had accompanied her, she would show her appreciation.

"$700,000," she called.

The previous bidder, recognizing her, backed down.

But then Cassandra raised her paddle.

"$750,000!" She turned to Nathan, beaming. "Nathan, let me gift these to you!"

Nathan gave no reaction.

Evelyn’s lips curved. Does she really think she can outbid me?

"One million," Evelyn declared.

Gasps filled the room. These were now the most expensive cufflinks in auction history.

Cassandra’s face fell—she didn’t have that kind of spending money. Her resentment toward Evelyn flared.

Just as the auctioneer prepared to finalize Evelyn’s bid, a deep voice cut through the room.

"$1.1 million."

Nathan.

The cufflinks weren’t worth that much, but they were the last missing piece in his Laurent Dubois collection. He needed them.

The crowd buzzed—ex-wife versus ex-husband. Who would win?

Evelyn didn’t hesitate. "$1.2 million."

Julian leaned in. "Ms. Sinclair, they’re not worth that much."

She smiled but didn’t respond.

Nathan countered immediately. "$1.5 million."

His gaze flicked toward Evelyn, but she wasn’t looking at him—her focus was entirely on the cufflinks, an almost obsessive desire in her eyes.

Without pause, she raised her paddle again.

"Two million."

The auctioneer’s voice rang out. "Two million, going once! Two million, going twice—"

He deliberately dragged out the pause, waiting to see if Nathan would bid again.