Chapter 28
Caleb’s warm breath brushed against the sensitive skin behind Yasmin’s ear. A shiver raced down her spine; in the next moment, he’d press his lips to her ear, just as he had countless times in the stillness of night. The heady tension of the moment made Yasmin instinctively shift closer to Brenda.
“Mr. Grant, kindly return to your seat and refrain from disturbing the auction,” Yasmin’s voice wavered, betraying her body’s familiar response to Caleb’s presence. Despite bending down to be closer to her, Caleb’s tall frame remained impossible to ignore.
“If you’re so bored, perhaps you should contact your lawyer and ask when he’s available to discuss our divorce. It’s been delayed for quite some time,” Yasmin added.
Two seconds passed, and Caleb returned to his seat with a flat expression. The auction resumed. Caleb, who had been half-hearted before, suddenly changed his demeanor and bid on every piece of jewelry. It was obvious that he was buying the jewelry for a woman; however, he looked as though he was doing it to vent his frustration rather than for any pleasure.
Brenda, who had come to the auction for a specific purpose, found herself focused only on a large emerald the size of a pigeon’s egg. She already owned gems in every color but green, which had been the missing hue in her collection. Emeralds weren’t particularly valued, and their prices were steep. Soon, only Brenda and another competitor remained in the bidding war.
The man, dressed in a sharp suit, had broad shoulders and short, neatly styled hair—a telltale sign of a handsome lad. “George, I really love this color. Please buy it for me!” Brenda caught a faint, flirtatious voice from the row ahead. Her competitor’s companion, a young woman with a neat hair updo, clung to his arm, teasing him with a playful whine.
Brenda furrowed her brows, her mind nagging at her as she tried to identify the man. Before she could remember, her competitor raised his paddle and added another five million dollars to the bid. Brenda placed her paddle down, visibly displeased.
“What’s wrong? I can always bid for you,” Yasmin remarked, sensing Brenda’s change in mood.
“Don’t,” Brenda placed her hand over Yasmin’s and continued, “We can spend millions of dollars to buy happiness, but I don’t want to spend it competing over stones with a woman like that.”
After the auction came the after-party. The handsome competitor stood up and turned. As soon as their eyes met, Brenda recognized him. He had sharp brows, captivating eyes, and a high nose bridge. His rugged handsomeness radiated a wild and untamed energy. It was George!
Standing beside George was a young woman, probably around Brenda’s age. She was chattering away happily with him. George paused for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected encounter with Brenda.
“Who’s she?” The young woman clung to George’s arm in a possessive gesture and eyed Brenda suspiciously. Brenda noticed the woman’s territorial move and crossed her arms. She smirked and said, “I think the emerald color would suit me perfectly. What do you think, George?”
“George,” the woman called out anxiously.
George gently pried her hand off and introduced Brenda, “This is my wife, Brenda Rhodes.”
Ursula Montgomery, far from being intimidated by the presence of the legitimate wife, sized Brenda up with disdain. “I know who you are. If your mother hadn’t been so shameless and threatened to die if George didn’t marry—”
Before she could finish the sentence, a loud slap echoed through the room. No one saw it coming. Yasmin, who had been silent, had suddenly stepped forward and slapped Ursula across the face.