Chapter 31

“Yasmin, I’m sorry,” Jeremy said, looking uneasy. They had promised to get her the emerald bead necklace, but someone else had won the bid.

Yasmin knew it wasn’t his fault. “You’re not the one who should be apologizing,” she replied.

Jeremy had likely only discovered Veronica and Wanda’s tampering with Annie’s keepsakes upon returning home.

Brenda and Yasmin turned to leave. Before they could exit the hall, the earlier proxy bidder rushed over, carrying a rosewood jewelry box.

“Ms. Whitmore, please accept this!” he exclaimed.

He opened the box, revealing the emerald bead bracelet—the very item Yasmin had coveted. Moments before, it had been the auction's highlight. No one anticipated this twist.

Caleb, instructing someone to settle the final auction payments, stilled at the bidder's arrival, his gaze sharpening.

“Who’s the buyer?” Yasmin asked, puzzled, not reaching for the box.

The proxy bidder replied, “I’m not sure. The buyer said he knows how much this means to you. He doesn’t want you to feel bad, so please accept it. He’s an old acquaintance. Consider it a small gift after years apart. Ms. Whitmore, this is your mother’s keepsake. There’s no reason to let it fall into someone else’s hands because of others. Don’t you agree?”

Yasmin accepted the gift. “Please thank your employer for me.”

She touched the beads reverently. The guests exchanged glances. This wasn't a matter of a few thousand dollars; it was a multimillion-dollar gesture.

Who possessed such generosity? Was this acquaintance an elder or a suitor? Everyone instinctively looked to Caleb, whose emotions remained tightly controlled. It was impossible to discern his true feelings; at most, one sensed displeasure. And who wouldn’t be? Did the item truly belong to Annie? If so, the Whitmore family's resources seemed limitless.

“Let’s go, Brenda,” Yasmin said, having no reason to remain.

The Maserati sped through the night.

Brenda chuckled. “We still don’t know who orchestrated this, but at least Caleb knows how popular his wife is. He didn't even flinch!”

“He doesn’t care about me,” Yasmin replied, “so it’s natural he didn’t react.”

She planned to set the money aside and repay the buyer if given the opportunity.

Her apartment was downtown, near the auction house. They returned and ordered takeout.

An hour later, the delivery driver called. The building management wouldn't admit him, so he asked Yasmin to collect the food.

It was inconsequential. She told Brenda, who was in the bathroom, slipped on her slippers, and went downstairs. As she stepped outside, a figure lunged from the stairwell.

Yasmin instinctively raised her arm, but he was quick. His hand clamped over her mouth, pinning her arms and waist. Before she could react, he had her pressed against the wall.

The strong smell of alcohol filled her nostrils. Just as she was about to call for help, he said, “Minnie.”

His voice was low and deep, too quiet to activate the stairwell lights.

Yasmin calmed, meeting his gaze. The dim light obscured his features, revealing only the outline of a tall figure. Yet, even in the darkness, she felt the intensity of his stare.