Chapter 30

Outside, Eloise gave two soft knocks before pushing open the office door. There she was, Eloise, in a striking white evening gown that accentuated her noble and elegant demeanor. Her long hair cascaded down her back, adding to her gentle charm.

“Kieran, the auction’s about to start. Shall we go?”

Eloise’s presence seemed to unsettle Johanna. If it weren’t for Eloise’s meddling, the Mrs. Sutton title would have rightfully belonged to Freya by then. And there they were, headed to an auction of all places, with Kieran blatantly disregarding the Dawson family’s reputation by bringing Eloise along. Wasn’t it just a slap in their face?

“This must be Mrs. Dawson. I’ve heard Kieran mention you. And this is…” Eloise’s gaze shifted to Kara, noticing their nearly identical outfits, but she merely smiled.

Eloise sneered to herself, thinking, ‘One Freya isn’t enough? Do they want to bring in another? Huh, no matter how many they bring, they’re all just stand-ins!’

Catching Eloise’s attention on Kara made Johanna somewhat uneasy. She quickly got up, pulling Kara with her. “We’ve finished our discussion. We’ll be leaving now, right away!”

With that, Johanna rushed off with Kara.

Seeing Eloise approach, Kieran frowned. “You’re still injured. Why did you come?”

“Of course, to accompany you to the auction. I know how much this event matters to you. How could I miss it?” Eloise moved to Kieran’s side, adding, “Unless… you invited someone else?”

Kieran remained silent. He had sent Freya an evening gown, but that was his grandmother’s wish, not his.

Jarrett whispered to Kieran, “Mr. Sutton, Ms. Dawson mentioned she won’t be coming…”

Kieran was stunned. ‘She’s not coming? Freya is getting too big for her boots! Usually, she can’t beg enough for such opportunities, and now, she’s throwing tantrums?’

Noticing this, Eloise said with a hint of annoyance, “So it was Ms. Dawson you invited. No wonder she asked me to go with you today.”

Kieran frowned. “Freya asked to come with me?”

“It looks like Ms. Dawson really does want to break off the engagement, Kieran. Maybe we shouldn’t force her.”

Under normal circumstances, Eloise wouldn’t care about such matters. But she felt uneasy, feeling like Freya meant more to Kieran than just a stand-in. If Kieran had indeed fallen for Freya, she couldn’t let Freya get any closer to him.

Kieran coldly remarked, “She knows when to back off, which is wise of her!”

With that, Kieran stood up, feeling an inexplicable discomfort in his heart.

They arrived at Echo City Auction House at dusk. Kieran’s car stopped outside the venue, where a valet was ready to park it. The auction house was resplendent, its entrance lavishly decorated.

No sooner had Kieran stepped out than all eyes were on him, and Eloise, by his side, quickly became the center of attention. This scene did not escape Freya’s notice.

Chapter 31