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Novel Catalog
Chapter_59
Alyssa’s mind raced as she hung up the phone. The charity auction Jonah had mentioned was more than just an opportunity to acquire rare items—it was the perfect venue to not only secure the Antique Rosewood Chair but also to make a statement. She knew exactly how to use this event to her advantage.
“Sean, we’re going to that auction,” she said, her voice sharp and filled with intent. “I have a plan.”
Sean, who had been standing by the door, raised an eyebrow. “The auction? I thought it was just a simple charity event?”
Alyssa’s lips curled into a predatory smile. “It is. But for us, it’s more than that. We’re going to use this auction to make a powerful statement.”
Her fingers drummed on the desk, already envisioning the possibilities. The Taylor family had the influence to control an auction room. But the true power lay in making the other bidders feel like they were chasing an impossible victory. With the Gardner family in freefall, the Beckett family being unpredictable, and the Taylor family’s influence growing, this was the perfect time to move strategically.
“Let’s take everything we can—every advantage, every connection—and turn this auction into a victory for us. We’ll secure the Rosewood Chair, yes, but we’ll also pick up anything that strikes our fancy. Let the other families waste their money. We’ll make sure they leave with nothing but a taste of defeat.”
Sean smiled, understanding her strategy. “I’ll start making arrangements. It sounds like it’s going to be a spectacle.”
Alyssa’s eyes gleamed. “Indeed. And while we’re at it, we’ll see if we can secure something more valuable than just antiques.”
Meanwhile, Rosaline was stewing in frustration as she paced around the luxurious living room. The Gardners’ situation was growing more dire by the hour. She had been counting on Liana’s marriage to Jasper to salvage their crumbling empire, but now there were whispers that things might not go as planned. There was still no confirmed wedding date, and every day of waiting felt like a wasted opportunity.
“Liana, we need to act now. Do you understand? The Gardner family can’t survive this disaster without that marriage,” Rosaline snapped, her hands trembling with the weight of their financial collapse. The jewelry she had pawned was barely enough to buy them time. The public image was in tatters, and every new problem seemed to compound the last.
Liana, however, was barely listening. She was lost in thought, her gaze drifting over the items she had once cherished—pieces of jewelry, tokens from Jasper. The one item that kept pulling her attention was the Crimson Heart pendant, which she had sold. The thought of it made her stomach turn.
What would Jasper think when he found out?
But even worse than the guilt was the deep-rooted bitterness that had been festering inside her. The necklace, a symbol of Jasper’s love, was gone. And in its place was a growing resentment that had nowhere to go but outward. She would never be the woman he had wanted—he had never seen her the way she had dreamed.
But that was the past. It was time to focus on the future. If Liana could get Jasper to marry her, there would be no more fighting for scraps. She would be a queen in her own right, with power, money, and the support of the Beckett family.
“I’ll do whatever it takes, Mum,” Liana finally said, her voice cold and calculating. “Even if it means letting go of the past.”
Rosaline eyed her daughter warily. “Then we move forward. We’ll find a way to make Jasper marry you—before it’s too late. Whatever we have to do, it’s time to push for the wedding, and we’ll make sure everyone knows it.”
Liana’s expression was one of determination. Her relationship with Jasper had always been a game to her—one she intended to win. Even if it meant using every resource at her disposal.
The night before the auction, Alyssa stood before a full-length mirror, adjusting her attire with an almost surgical precision. She had never been one to play by anyone else’s rules, and tonight was no different. As she donned the tailored black dress that highlighted her commanding presence, she smiled at her reflection. Tonight, she wasn’t just going to play the game—she was going to own it.
As the sleek black car pulled up to the venue, Alyssa stepped out, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. The auction hall was packed with people, some with hidden agendas, others with nothing to lose. The familiar hum of luxury and wealth surrounded her. But for Alyssa, this was the perfect place to make an unforgettable entrance.
Jonah had asked her to secure the Antique Rosewood Chair, but she had far grander plans in mind. She would not only win that, but she would walk away with everything she wanted—both in items and in influence. She could feel the eyes of the room on her as she made her way to her seat, a quiet acknowledgment that she was a force to be reckoned with.
Sean quietly stood by her side, ensuring that every detail had been accounted for. He was ready to do whatever it took to ensure they left victorious.
“Let the games begin,” Alyssa muttered under her breath, as the auctioneer took the stage.