Elara's POV
The auction continued, but I barely registered the items being presented. My mind kept replaying Damien's dismissal of my call. I'd been reduced to a stranger in his contacts list—someone not even worth answering.
"Are you okay?" Chloe whispered, concern etched across her face.
I managed a nod, though we both knew it was a lie. "Just waiting for this to end so we can leave."
Two more hours dragged by before the final gavel fell. People began filing out, their excited chatter about acquisitions and astronomical bids filling the grand hall.
"Let's slip out now," Chloe suggested, gathering her purse. "Before we run into the happy couple."