NovelEnglishThe Billionaire's Hidden Bride A Lifetof Love 703 Chapter 703 I Could Tell She Really Wanted It To Linsey, there was no doubt-Collin's sky-high bid on the Star of the Desert tonight had nothing to do with the necklace itself. It was all for Haven.
"Sold right here, $2.7 billion." The gavel fell with a firm crack, prompting a swell of applause that rolled through the venue like thunder. "Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations to Mr. Riley, winner of the Star of the Desert!" The crowd erupted, a cascade of claps and cheers echoing off the crystal chandeliers.
Gorman turned to Collin with a tight smile. "Collin, what a shame. I'd hoped to win that necklace for my companion. She fell for it the moment she laid eyes on it." Collin's face betrayed nothing. He met Gorman's gaze squarely, but after a moment, his eyes shifted sharply toward Linsey. "I'm sorry," he said smoothly, "but there's someone important to me, too. I could tell she really wanted it." Linsey's lips curled in a silent scoff.
Of course, he was talking about Haven. The woman hadn't even tried to be subtle-she had flat-out told him she wanted it. Two point seven billion dollars. Linsey didn't know whether to be stunned or bitter. Collin had never been this generous when she was his wife four years ago. The contrast was staggering.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe watched him now with cold clarity. He was a man clearly moved on, so thoroughly enchanted by Haven that he was. willing to splurge extravagantly just to keep her smiling.
The auction drew to a close, but the celebration carried on, spilling into the adjacent ballroom with soft jazz, clinking glasses, and glowing candlelight.
Since Collin claimed the Star of the Desert, Haven had been smiling from ear to ear. She was over the moon, completely forgetting the warning he had given her in the corridor earlier.
Though Collin might harbor lingering feelings for his ex-wife-but tonight, it was she who stood at his side. She believed that soon, she would erase Linsey's presence from his world entirely.
"Collin," she said with a bright smile, lifting her glass to his, "a toast to you. Thank you for taking such good care oftonight." He clinked his glass to hers with a composed smile. "No need to thank me. My grandmother askedto keep an eye on you. If you want to thank anyone, thank her." Across the room, Linsey stood still, her gaze locked on the sight of the two of them standing together-so casual, so intimate.
Her face was unreadable. She guessed she would hear the news of Collin and Haven's engagement soon.
0.0% 12 15:48 She looked away sharply, trying to suppress the sudden tightness in her chest.
With Gorman called away on urgent business, she was spared the need for small talk.
She set her wine glass down, her decision made. She had had enough of the charade. She slipped away from the crowd and headed toward the restroom.
It was empty when she entered, so with a slow breath, she pulled off her mask, as if shedding the suffocation of the night.
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Leaning against the cool marble sink, she exhaled-deeply, fully-feeling the weight of the evening press against her ribs. She washed her hands slowly, and when she finally lifted her eyes to the mirror, she was taken aback.
Heavy foundation masked her complexion. Her eyes were boldm lined and shadowed in a way that hardened her gaze. Her lips were painted a vivid, fearless red. She blinked, then gave a faint, dry smile.
For a moment, she had forgotten just how tic her makeup was m tonight. It had been a deliberate choide-her mask, her disguise. She was so far removed from who she normally was. Read the latest At had been a soliberate chapter there! The longer she stared, the stranger it felt.
She considered washing it off before leaving, but her phone buzzed from deep within her purse.
She dried her hands, picked up her mask, and walked out of the restroom.
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