Gwenda received a box directly. The assembled guests erupted in an uproar.

“One hundred million dollars? Just like that? Who’s his boss?”

“Who is this Miss Evans? She’s quite pretty. Is the gentleman’s boss trying to woo her?”

“You don’t know her? She’s Cecilia’s manager, Gwenda Evans.”

“I’m curious who bid on that necklace. How could he just give it away? That’s one hundred million dollars!”

Whispers rippled through the guests. Martin’s face darkened; he seemed to swallow something hard. Gretchen, beside him, was equally agitated, her fists clenched.

“Who the f*ck is so blind as to give her such an expensive necklace?!”

Justina gritted her teeth in disbelief. Gretchen’s eyes flashed. Seeing Martin staring at Gwenda with an unreadable expression, she said slowly, “Gwenda’s charming; it’s natural someone would want to woo her.”

Justina snorted. “Charming? I think she’s coquettish!”

Martin’s face darkened further. He glanced at Justina, released Gretchen’s hand, and said, “I’m going outside for a bit.”

Gretchen froze. “Martin? Martin…”

Justina was confused. “What’s wrong with Mr. Morel?”

“I’ll go see,” Gretchen replied, following Martin.

Meanwhile, Gwenda hesitated, considering whether to accept the necklace. Otto, feeling awkward, leaned in. “Miss Evans, this is a token of regard from the boss. Please accept it.”

“Where is he?” Gwenda frowned.

Otto remained silent.

Hattie, guessing the giver’s identity, urged, “Oh, Gwenda, just accept it.”

After a moment, Gwenda accepted the necklace to avoid further awkwardness. “Thank you.”

Otto, his task complete, announced, “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Gwenda told Hattie, “I need to do something. I’ll be back soon,” then discreetly pocketed the necklace and followed Otto.

The auction continued uninterrupted. Gwenda followed Otto to the second floor lounge where she found Olivier.

“We need to talk,” she declared, startling Otto.

Olivier, elegantly dressed and seated on a sofa, smiled and told Otto, “Leave us.”

Otto obeyed. The door closed with a thud. Olivier beckoned Gwenda. “Come.”

She sat beside him. “Here, you can take this back,” she said, placing the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace on the coffee table.

Olivier chuckled. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s too expensive,” she replied. “One hundred million dollars. I don’t think I’m worth that much.”

Olivier picked up the necklace. “It’s just one hundred million. Not that bad.”

Gwenda’s mouth twitched. “You’re terribly rich, aren’t you?”

“Of course,” Olivier declared proudly. “Money is no object!”

Gwenda was speechless.