Chapter 24: The Ultimate Bidding War!

Julia blinked rapidly, her heart racing as her eyes widened in disbelief. She rubbed her eyes, feeling breathless. No, it couldn't be him. The familiar face in the crowd was unmistakably—Dante!

A sharp gasp escaped her lips, as memories flooded back. She never imagined she would see him after all these years, especially like this. Her eyes roamed over him, taking in every detail.

He looked incredibly handsome. His hair was slicked back perfectly, and the suit hugged his body just right, giving off an aura of sophistication. The watch gleamed on his wrist, a symbol of luxury worth a fortune.

"What happened?" she thought, astonished. He radiated wealth and confidence that filled the room. The way the women around him gazed at him left no doubt—he was a magnet for their attention.

He was undeniably finer this time, with a mature look that fit him perfectly. He exuded an air of confidence, a leader among men. His strong physique hinted at a life filled with hard work and determination.

He was like the finest wine, improving with every passing year. To her, he was a masterpiece, sculpted to perfection. No imperfections caught her eye; he was breathtaking in every way.

But why was he here?

And how did he have this so much money? $100,000? She remembered his simple life back then. He wasn't someone who had money or generational wealth; that wasn't his style at all.

So what had changed?

Eli flashed in her mind—her son. Would Dante be upset if he knew about him? Surely not. Their meeting had been brief, and she felt he wasn't capable of anger. But with Dante's apparent success now, maybe that necklace was for someone special.

He was in his mid-thirties now, likely married with kids. She didn't want to destroy a family. There was no need for Dante to know about Eli. Until her last breath, her son's existence would be kept secret.

She felt a heavy weight in her chest at the thought of ruining Dante's life. Seeing him thrive was enough for her.

Her finances were stable now, with her agency flourishing. She smiled at the thought of her son's educational fund and insurance, knowing Eli would have a bright future.

Her mind was whirling until Victor's voice cut through. "Hey, why do you look like that? You look like you've seen a ghost," he spat, eyeing her with suspicion.

Startled, she blinked and took a deep breath, trying to pull herself together. She definitely hadn't anticipated running into Dante again.

She hesitated, weighing her words carefully. "Oh… uh… nothing. I was just caught off guard by that guy's offer. It's my first time at an event like this, right?" she replied, forcing a smile.

He narrowed his eyes, clearly irritated. "Tsss. What's so surprising? You were shocked by a mere $100,000? He's just challenging me; he'll see!" Victor snapped, recognizing the man who had earlier brushed him off.

A knot twisted in her stomach. Was he trying to get back at him for not wanting to partner with small-time businessmen like him?

"Wow, $100,000! What a huge bid from our guest today! Is there anyone willing to go higher than $100,000?" The host scanned the room, excitement buzzing in the air.

Victor shot up from his seat, his voice booming. "$150,000! You won't find a better offer than that!" he declared, puffing up with pride in front of the crowd.

The crowd murmured in anticipation, their eyes gleaming. Even the auctioneer seemed thrilled, eager for even higher bids.

"Anyone willing to go higher than $150,000? Any takers?" the auctioneer called out, his voice echoing in the hall.

With a casual shrug, Dante replied, "$250,000." His calm demeanor startled the crowd into silence.

Gasps echoed around the banquet hall, and the staff exchanged shocked glances, caught off guard by his bold bid.

Julia's jaw dropped, her mind racing. Could Dante really have that much money to spend? She couldn't wrap her head around where he got such a large sum.

"Whew! The offer for The Celestial Dreamcatcher just keeps climbing. I can't blame them; that necklace is stunning and one-of-a-kind!"

Victor's anger radiated next to her like heat. Her heart raced. Was Dante trying to compete with Victor now that he knew he was her husband?

Shaking her head, she realized she was getting ahead of herself. If Dante saw her, it meant nothing. Just a casual encounter, like two strangers. What did it matter to him about her and Victor? Maybe he wanted the necklace for himself.

Victor settled beside her, his body tense, fingers tapping angrily on the arm of the chair. "That idiot is really getting on my nerves! Is he challenging me? He's wrong if he thinks he can face me!"

"Don't be so hot-headed, Victor," she replied, her voice steady. "Everyone can bid here. Why are you thinking about competition? This isn't about that; it's a charity for those in need. Maybe that guy just wants the bracelet."

She hesitated to defend Dante but felt irritated by Victor's obsession with competition. It felt like the world revolved around his ego.

He glared at her, grabbing her wrist tightly as if to anchor his anger. "Don't give your opinion! No one needs that nonsense. And what do you know? You're just a woman with no career, a small-time agency owner, and now you're just playing with spare change!"

His words stung like a slap. What else could she expect from Victor? He always seemed to belittle her.

With determination, she yanked her arm away. "You brought me here, so I have the right to speak! If you didn't want my opinion, why ask me to come? I could have spent my time on my 'small-time' business!" She emphasized the last words, her frustration boiling over.

"Don't make me angrier, Julia! I don't want to argue right now. You're not my enemy; that guy is!" His eyes burned with fury; she could almost picture Dante crumbling under the heat.

"It's all in your head, Victor. You're overly competitive. There's nothing wrong with that, but too much isn't good. Sometimes, you can seem a bit pathetic," she replied, irritation lacing her tone.

"What do you mean? Am I pathetic, is that it?" His glare pierced through her, demanding an answer.

Shrugging, she turned her gaze back to the stage. "Why are you asking? My opinion isn't needed, right?"

"I'll show everyone here that no one can touch me!" He rose again, capturing the crowd's attention. "$300,000! Surely, no one can beat that?" Victor teased, his words aimed straight at Dante.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips. She never planned to lie to her husband. After this event, she intended to tell him that Dante was the man from that "night," Eli's father.

But Victor's fierce anger toward Dante sent a shiver down her spine. If she told him, would he hurt Dante? She knew her husband well; the secret about Dante's link to her past should stay hidden, knowing her husband.

Another sigh escaped her. Victor noticed. "You've been sighing a lot. If I lose this, you're my bad luck," he grumbled, annoyance dripping from his words.

She stayed silent. Whatever she did, Victor always had something to critique. It felt like even her breath annoyed him.

Dante stayed composed, not glancing their way. She wondered if he even noticed her. Or if he did, he probably no longer remembered her.

"$300,000! What a massive bid! Is this the final offer?" the auctioneer called out, excitement building in the air.

"$500,000." Dante's voice sliced through the crowd, creating a wave of gasps that spread like wildfire.

She had once handled such an amount when her agency grew, but right now, she didn't have that much cash available. So she was really shocked.

Victor's jaw clenched, his fists balled at his sides. He slammed into the chair beside her, the weight of defeat heavy on his shoulders.

"The last offer is $500,000! I'll close this item now," he declared, gesturing for the crew to take The Celestial Dreamcatcher off the stage.

The women who had their eyes on Dante gasped, their mouths slightly agape. Julia felt the tension crackling in the air. Not wanting to face Victor's anger again, she stood up quickly.

Victor's eyes narrowed as he shot a look at her. "Where are you going?" he snapped, anger boiling beneath his tone.

"To the restroom," she replied, forcing a calm voice. "I need to retouch my makeup. I wouldn't want you to feel embarrassed, remember?"

He nodded curtly, letting out another exasperated sigh, the sound sharp in the charged atmosphere.

Hurrying toward the bathroom outside the banquet hall, she didn't notice Iris Hale's watchful glare. Iris simmered as she saw Julia and Victor appear so affectionate to everyone else.

After reaching the restroom, she quickly slipped into a cubicle. Once done, she moved to the sink, looking into the mirror. She pulled out her pressed powder for a quick touch-up, focused on her reflection until a woman burst in, locking the door behind her.

Iris marched toward her, fury radiating from her with each step. "Finally, we meet, Mrs. Julia Voss." Her smile twisted like a knife, hinting at the trouble to come.

What did Iris have in mind for her? Would Julia realize this woman was her husband's mistress?