?Chapter 42:


    A murmur ofughter rippled through the audience, amusement flickering in their eyes as they turned their attention back to Alexander, eagerly awaiting his reaction to Cedric’s bold confrontation.


    Alexander didn’t utter a word, simply pulling Joyce back into her seat. The crowd, anticipating more drama, let out a unified sigh of disappointment.


    In the end, Dani secured the jade tiger for an impressive $19 million and handed it over to Lillian as a gift.


    Lillian, her face alight with delight, shot a smug nce at Joyce, whose barely concealed fury twisted her expression. With a loud voice, she dered, “Thanks, Dani!”


    Joyce, seething with rage, had veins popping from her forehead as she struggled to contain her anger. Dani had once been nothing more than a lovesick fool. Alexander had never wanted her. And now, just because she had be a powerful CEO, she thought she could act superior?


    As the auction wrapped up, Dani lingered to chat with the event organizer. Seizing the moment, Joyce quickly lifted her phone and snapped a picture of Dani. Turning to Alexander, she said, “Alexander, look at her! Dani has no shame. First, she was flirting with Cedric, and now she’s all over the organizer, who’s old enough to be her father. She’s making a fool of the Harper family. And don’t forget—she was your wife. Think about the damage she’s doing to your reputation.”


    Of course, Joyce had positioned the photo just right, making it appear much worse than it actually was. In reality, Dani was simply having a friendly chat.


    As she spoke, Joyce quickly posted the photo in the Harper family group chat.


    “Dad, take a look at Dani! The organizer is practically her father’s age! How shameless is she? I don’t care about her reputation, but mine is at stake. I’ve never been so humiliated. How am I supposed to show my face in public now?”


    L??t??st ch??pt??rs in gαl??ovels.c?m


    As she had hoped, her dramatics hit their mark.


    Caiden’s anger red up, and he smashed another of his precious porcin cups.


    After sending the message, Joyce nced at Alexander. His expression remained as stoic as ever, unreadable. Joyce couldn’t tell if he was angry or simply indifferent.


    “Alexander, let’s go,” she said in a sugary tone, though her eyes quickly followed Dani, who was walking toward the restroom.


    Just then, a sneaky idea shed through her mind. After a brief pause, she added, “Actually, Alexander, would you minding with me to the restroom? I’m not feeling well.”


    Inside the restroom, Dani was in the middle of freshening up her makeup when Joyce entered.


    “Well, well, Dani. What a coincidence!”


    Without even sparing her a nce, Dani continued applying powder to her face, her voice calm and detached.


    “You came in here on purpose. No need to y games, my dear sister.”


    Thest three words sliced through the air, sharp and piercing.


    Dani had no time for Joyce’s dramatics—it made her stomach churn.


    “Alright, yes, I followed you. But what’s so special about you, Dani? So what if you’ve got money now?”


    Dani paused for a moment, a subtle smile ying at the corners of her mouth. She turned to Joyce, her voice calm as she corrected her.


    “It’s not just some money. It’s a lot of money. And it’s the kind of money you’d never be able to earn in ten lifetimes. So go ahead and let yourself be jealous.”


    .


    .


    .