Chapter 3

After paying the remaining balance, the jeweler sent back a confirmation picture. The shattered gemstone was now worthless, just like her in my life.

With that settled, I drove to the office.

The moment I arrived, my assistant rushed over.

"Mr. Walker, the driver is scheduled to pick up Miss Miller at five for hair and makeup. You have the charity gala tonight."

I paused, remembering the event we had planned on attending together.

"Cancel it. Tell the driver not to go."

In the past, I always brought Chloe as my plus-one.

She had her own design studio, and I wanted her to build connections among the elite.

Now, there was no need.

When I arrived at the gala, I ran into people I never expected to see.

Dressed in an evening gown, Chloe was parading Julian Vance around, introducing him to everyone.

Then I remembered: this gala was invitation-only.

Chloe had asked me for an extra invite earlier. Turns out it was for Julian.

The second Julian spotted me, he jogged right over.

"Ethan, you're here! Yesterday was all my fault. Chloe only did that because it was my birthday. I'm really sorry."

Chloe chimed in quickly to comfort him:

"Why are you blaming yourself? It was your birthday! Making you happy was the most important thing."

"Unlike someone whose heart is smaller than a pinhole. If you see anything you like tonight, tell me. I'll buy it for you!"

Julian smirked arrogantly at her words. He turned to me provokingly:

"Ethan, let's sit together for the auction."

I watched their little performance in silence, feeling nothing but disgust.

In our seven years together, Chloe rarely bought me gifts. Even when she did, it was usually leftover stuff Julian didn't want.

Meanwhile, I showered her with luxury gifts on every anniversary, holiday, and month.

If she liked them, she glanced at them twice. If she didn't, she called me tasteless and superficial.

Yet she treated Julian's cheap junk like priceless treasures.

Thinking of this, I smiled faintly:

"No thanks. We're in different tiers. The host assigned me a private booth."

Neither of them expected me to refuse so bluntly. Their faces darkened.

Right then, the auctioneer's voice boomed from the stage:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! On this special evening, we gather together..."

A server walked over and bowed slightly.

"Mr. Walker, this way to your seat, please."

Leaving the two behind, I followed the server to the VIP suite.

Sitting in the booth, I flipped through the catalog.

Nothing caught my eye, so I randomly looked at a painting currently on display and decided to bid on it.

The moment I raised my paddle, Julian raised his from below and shot me a cocky grin.

I raised an eyebrow and bid again.

Chloe raised her paddle immediately: "One point five million!"

We went back and forth until the painting was hammered down to Chloe for five million dollars.

Down below, guests started whispering among themselves.

"Aren't they supposed to get married soon? Did they have a fight?"

"Haven't you heard? Miss Miller confessed to the Vance family's illegitimate son yesterday."

"She's completely out of her mind. Leaving the powerful Walker family to fool around with an illegitimate son? What a waste!"

Hearing the gossip, I called the server over.

"I want to see the payment monitor in the back. I have reasonable doubts that the bidder has enough funds to cover that purchase."