Chapter 119

Kayla, having confirmed Nion’s arrival, turned to Marissa. Marissa’s pale face spoke volumes. "Marissa, what's wrong?" Kayla asked, concern etched on her features.

Marissa forced a weak smile, glancing at Diana. "I'm fine."

Kayla saw through the pretense. "Really?" she pressed, leaning closer, her gaze catching Diana's enigmatic smile. The subtle interplay of looks between the two women – Kayla knew Diana well, from a similar social sphere – told a story. Kayla's expression hardened. "Mrs. Beaumont, did you say something to her?"

"No," Marissa insisted, a flicker of secret satisfaction in her eyes. Foolish Kayla's finally standing up for me, she thought.

Diana, who genuinely despised Marissa, scoffed inwardly. Vanderbilts are fools to keep this woman near Dominick! But she held her tongue; this was their family affair.

"Marissa, don't be afraid," Kayla said fiercely, loyalty shining in her eyes. She remembered Marissa's near-fatal allergic reaction orchestrated by Paisley; Marissa's gentle nature made her an easy target.

Diana smirked, tilting her head toward Marissa. "Go on, Marissa. Tell her how I bullied you."

Evelyn echoed, "Yes, tell her."

Marissa’s lips tightened. Kayla’s an idiot! she fumed silently. All she'd wanted was Kayla's implicit support, a show of strength to Diana. Now Kayla was forcing her hand.

What could she say? That Diana mocked her lack of status within the Vanderbilt family?

"Kayla, I'm really fine," Marissa sighed, offering a strained smile. "I just thanked Mrs. Beaumont for these seats."

Kayla’s anger melted away. She apologized to Diana with a graceful curtsy. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Beaumont. Thank you for the seats." Her smile was radiant.

Diana, uninterested in further conflict, turned back to the stage. The auction had begun. The first item, a bizarre abstract sculpture, starting at $30,000, drew no bids.

"How could they put that up for auction?" Kayla whispered to Marissa, her focus solely on Nion’s upcoming oil painting.

She glanced at Diana. "Mrs. Beaumont, anything catch your eye?"

Kayla was determined to secure Nion's painting, but Diana was a formidable opponent.

Diana pondered. "Nothing specific," she replied, though she planned to bid on a few items for charity. "Except perhaps that oil painting. It's exquisite, and would grace the reception room. It's later in the auction, though."

Kayla’s eyes sharpened. "You like Mr. Vaire's painting too? I'm a huge fan! I’m here specifically for it."