CHAPTER 15

The next evening, I stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at the dress Heinrich had picked for me.

It was elegant, undoubtedly expensive, and screamed wealth—just like everything else in his world. The gown was deep sapphire, hugging my figure perfectly. The bodice was intricately designed with shimmering embellishments, and the fabric cascaded into a floor-length train. The plunging neckline was bolder than I was used to, but somehow, it suited me.

I sighed, adjusting the dress slightly. Of course, it was his taste. I should’ve expected nothing less.

Heinrich, who had been standing near the door watching me, smirked. “Perfect.”

I turned to glare at him. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t let me choose my own dress.”

“I told you,” he said, stepping closer. “Everything about this night has to scream money. That includes what you wear.”

I huffed. “You’re lucky I actually like this dress.”

“I know.”

I rolled my eyes. “Where exactly are we going?”

He offered his arm. “You’ll see.”

Arriving at the Auction

The car ride was silent, except for the occasional glances I threw Heinrich’s way. He hadn’t given me a single clue about where we were going, and I was getting impatient.

It wasn’t until we pulled up in front of an extravagant building, its exterior adorned with golden accents, that I finally understood.

An auction.

Of course.

The moment we stepped out of the car, photographers flashed their cameras, eager to capture Heinrich and his ‘trophy wife.’ I held onto his arm as we made our way inside. The venue was breathtaking—grand chandeliers, polished marble floors, and guests dressed in nothing but the finest designer wear.

A waiter passed by, offering champagne. Heinrich took two glasses, handing one to me.

“Behave,” he murmured.

I smirked. “Define ‘behave.’”

He chuckled but said nothing.

We moved through the crowd, Heinrich greeting familiar faces with brief nods. But just as I was beginning to think the night would be uneventful, a sultry voice called out.

“Heinrich.”

I turned just in time to see a striking woman approaching us. She was tall, with long wavy blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a confident smirk. She was stunning, I’d give her that.

And judging by the way she was looking at Heinrich, I already knew who she was.

Jesse.

Heinrich’s ex.

She stopped in front of us, her gaze flickering to me briefly before settling on Heinrich. “It’s been a while.”

He nodded, his expression unreadable. “Jesse.”

She smiled, tilting her head. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Then again, it is an auction for the elite, so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

Her eyes slid back to me. “And who’s this?”

I smiled politely. “Mariane.”

She hummed. “Ah, the fiancée. I’ve heard about you.”

I raised a brow. “Good things, I hope.”

She chuckled, sipping her champagne. “Depends on your definition of ‘good.’”

I could already tell what she was trying to do—make me uncomfortable, get under my skin. But I wasn’t the type to be rattled so easily.

Jesse turned back to Heinrich. “You know, I still remember the last time we were at an auction together.”

“Do you?” he said flatly.

“Oh, yes,” she purred. “It was in Paris. You were in a bidding war over that antique dagger. You were so determined to win, I thought you were going to strangle the other bidder.”

I smirked. “And did he win?”

Jesse blinked at me, as if surprised I had spoken. “Excuse me?”

“The dagger,” I said, tilting my head. “Did Heinrich win it?”

She laughed. “Of course. Heinrich always gets what he wants.”

I turned to him with a playful smile. “Is that true?”

Heinrich smirked. “Always.”

Jesse’s eyes narrowed slightly. She clearly expected me to be intimidated or jealous, but instead, I was having fun with this.

She sighed dramatically. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter now. But it’s funny, you know—Heinrich never used to care much about auctions before he met me.”

I raised a brow. “And yet, here we are.”

Her lips pressed together.

Heinrich chuckled beside me, clearly amused. He wrapped an arm around my waist and, before I could react, squeezed my ass firmly.

“That’s my girl,” he murmured.

A rush of heat spread through me, but I refused to let it show. I simply smirked at Jesse.

She was fuming.

“Well,” she finally said, her tone clipped. “It was nice meeting you, Mariane.”

“Likewise.”

Jesse turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd.

I glanced at Heinrich. “That was entertaining.”

His smirk widened. “I knew you’d handle her well.”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s not as intimidating as she thinks she is.”

He hummed. “No. But she enjoys the attention.”

“I noticed.”

He squeezed my waist. “Come on, let’s take our seats.”

As we walked toward our designated table, I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. Jesse had come with the intention of making me uncomfortable.

Instead, I had enjoyed every second of it.

The auction was already in full swing by the time Heinrich and I settled into our seats. Waiters moved through the room, refilling glasses of champagne as the auctioneer enthusiastically presented each item. The bids were aggressive, the numbers skyrocketing within seconds.

I leaned back in my seat, watching as a painting from some Renaissance-era artist was sold for an obscene amount of money. The entire atmosphere screamed wealth, power, and privilege—everything Heinrich thrived in.

The next item was introduced: an antique gold pocket watch, encrusted with sapphires.

Heinrich barely paid attention, casually sipping his whiskey while others battled for the prize.

Then, the auctioneer’s voice rang out again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our next piece is truly one of a kind.”

I turned my head as a velvet box was carried onto the stage and carefully opened, revealing an exquisite diamond and jade necklace.

The entire room seemed to shift, eyes locking onto the dazzling piece. The diamonds shimmered under the lights, while the rare green jade centerpiece added an elegant, timeless touch.

A slow smirk spread across my lips.

If Heinrich wanted a trophy wife, then he was going to get one.

I leaned over slightly, my voice teasing. “I want that.”

Heinrich finally glanced at the necklace. His lips curled into a knowing smirk as he shifted his gaze back to me. “Lovely,” he drawled. “It’s nice to see you so eager to show off your husband’s money.”

I tilted my head. “If I’m going to play the role you assigned me, I might as well do it properly.”

He chuckled. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re catching on quickly.”

The auctioneer began the bidding at a hefty price, and hands shot up immediately. The number climbed fast, as expected for a rare piece like this.

“$100,000,” someone called.

“$150,000.”

“$200,000.”

I turned to Heinrich expectantly. “Are you going to bid, or should I?”

His smirk deepened. “Impatient, aren’t we?” He raised his paddle lazily. “$300,000.”

The room quieted for a beat before another bid followed. “$350,000.”

I leaned back, watching the unfolding battle. It was fascinating how casually these people threw money around, their expressions never betraying a hint of hesitation.

“$400,000,” another voice called.

Heinrich glanced at me, silently asking if I wanted to keep going.

I gave him a slow, deliberate nod.

He raised his paddle. “$500,000.”

A murmur spread through the crowd. The stakes had just escalated.

The previous bidders hesitated, exchanging glances. Some shook their heads, unwilling to push further.

Then, a woman in an emerald gown spoke up. “$550,000.”

I arched a brow at Heinrich.

He sighed dramatically, as if indulging a spoiled child, and lifted his paddle once more. “$700,000.”

Gasps echoed across the room.

The woman pursed her lips but ultimately didn’t raise the bid.

“Going once… going twice… sold for $700,000!”

The gavel struck the podium, sealing the deal.

I turned to Heinrich with a bright smile. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

He chuckled, leaning in slightly. “You’re enjoying this.”

I shrugged. “If I’m going to spend your money, I might as well do it spectacularly.”

He let out an amused hum. “You’re dangerous, Mariane.”

I smirked. “And you love it.”

—------

The auction finally came to an end, and the guests slowly started filtering out, some still engaged in conversations, while others made their way to collect their winnings. Heinrich and I remained seated for a moment, waiting for the crowd to disperse. The necklace I had just won—or rather, Heinrich had won for me—was being packed up, and I couldn’t wait to have it in my possession.

Just as we were about to leave, an all-too-familiar voice interrupted us.

“Well, I should have known I’d see you throwing money around tonight, Heinrich.”

I didn’t even have to turn around to know it was Jesse.

Heinrich’s ex stood in front of us, her arms crossed, a smug look on her face. Her emerald green gown hugged her figure perfectly, her blonde hair falling in effortless waves. She was the picture of elegance, but the moment she opened her mouth, all I could see was a bitter woman trying too hard to hold onto the past.

Heinrich, on the other hand, looked utterly unbothered.

Jesse’s gaze flickered to me before settling back on him. “You always told me you hated spending money on ridiculous things.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “Yet here you are, throwing away $700,000 on a necklace. It must be nice having a change of heart.”

Heinrich sighed, clearly unimpressed. “Jesse, you should really stop thinking about the past. Move forward.”

Jesse’s jaw tightened, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. “Oh, don’t worry. I have. I just find it amusing that the man who once told me he didn’t believe in wasting money is now spoiling his wife with the very thing he used to criticize.”

I could see what she was trying to do—plant doubt, make me question Heinrich’s motives.

Too bad for her, I wasn’t an insecure little girl who would crumble at the first sign of trouble.

Instead, I decided to take full advantage of the situation.

A slow, devious smirk curled on my lips as I turned toward Heinrich. He was still completely unbothered, his expression unreadable.

Perfect.

I placed my hand on his chest and leaned in, my lips brushing against his jaw before I pulled him in for a kiss.

Not just any kiss—a slow, sensual, possessive one.

Heinrich stiffened for a fraction of a second before responding, his hand sliding to my waist, gripping me firmly. His lips moved against mine with ease, and the world around us disappeared.

But I knew we weren’t alone.

Jesse was standing right there, watching everything unfold.

When I finally pulled away, I traced my fingers along Heinrich’s collar before meeting his gaze. “I want you,” I whispered, making sure my voice was just loud enough for Jesse to hear. “Let’s leave.”

I heard Jesse scoff.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” she snapped. “This is a public place. You shouldn’t be behaving like that.”

I turned to face her, tilting my head mockingly. “Okay, Mom.”

Heinrich chuckled beside me, clearly amused.

Jesse’s expression darkened. “I’m just saying, have some class.”

I raised a brow. “Says the woman who’s standing here, reminiscing about a man who is very much married to someone else.”

Jesse clenched her jaw.

I smiled sweetly. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I have some more of Heinrich’s money to spend.”

With that, I grabbed Heinrich’s hand and led him away, leaving Jesse fuming in our wake.

As soon as we were outside, Heinrich let out a deep laugh.

“My, my, my,” he mused, his fingers brushing against my lower back. “That was quite the performance.”

I smirked. “She deserved it.”

His gaze darkened with something unreadable. “You really like making people jealous, don’t you?”

I shrugged. “Only when it’s necessary.”

He studied me for a moment before chuckling again. “You’re something else, Mariane.”

I smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Good,” he murmured, his hand tightening on my waist. “Because it was one.”