Chapter 121

Kayda gasped, spotting Paisley. "Paisley! What are you doing here? Following me?"

Paisley ignored her, helping two teachers wash children's hands. Kayda sneered, "Hey! I'm talking to you! What are you doing with these… nasty kids?"

The children’s eyes widened. The teachers looked uneasy. Paisley, glaring, retorted, "Nasty? I think you're the dirtiest one here."

"Don't think saving Grandpa changes anything!" Kayda snapped. "You're a… a bad woman! If not for you, Dom would've married Marissa! She's the only one for him!"

Paisley, keeping her voice low to avoid upsetting the children, said to the teachers, "Take them back. Know the way?"

The teachers nodded, quickly ushering the children out. Alone with Kayda, Paisley’s face hardened. "Let me be clear," she said, her gaze unwavering. "First, I helped Mr. Vanderbilt out of gratitude. It had nothing to do with you. Second, I didn't interfere in your brother's relationship. I thought I was crazy marrying him! I didn't even know Marissa existed. Third, get your brother to marry Marissa. And stay out of my sight."

Kayda sputtered, speechless with rage. Paisley, shoving her aside, stormed out. Kayda stood fuming, wondering how Paisley had become so sharp-tongued.

Back at their seats, the teachers anxiously questioned Paisley. "Are you alright? Did she hurt you?" They felt responsible, believing Paisley's encounter stemmed from their trip to the bathroom.

Paisley smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine. Don't worry." But the teachers whispered, worried about the consequences of offending such a powerful woman – the woman Ms. Flynn had personally escorted to a place of honor.

Kayda, after a long time in a different restroom, returned to find the item before the painting already auctioned – a diamond necklace for eight million dollars. Then, the main event: Nion Vaire’s painting.

Kayla's eyes shone. She'd studied photos, but seeing the real thing was breathtaking. Her heart pounded. She caught the eye of a quirky-dressed man and offered a sweet smile. He smiled back. Mr. Vaire smiled at me! she thought, already envisioning herself bidding, then getting his autograph.

The auctioneer announced the starting price: two million dollars. Kayla immediately raised her paddle. "Three million dollars!"

The crowd was stunned. The bidding war heated up. Soon, it reached seventeen million. Diana dropped out. Paisley was amazed by both the price and Kayla’s fierce determination.

The auctioneer called, "Seventeen million dollars… once… twice…"

"Twenty million dollars!" A woman in the corner, sitting with representatives from impoverished areas, had just outbid everyone.