CHAPTER 20%
I entered the auction room dressed as Evelyn, not my royal persona Alexandra. I wore a simple but elegant black dress that hugged my curves perfectly!!
The auction hall was filled with wealthy pack members from across temtories. The items on display ranged from rare artifacts to luxury goods, but only one piece mattered tonight
I spotted Lucas and Clara immediately, standing near the entrance in their finest clothes, scanning the room nervously.
I made my way toward them, purposely bumping into Clara’s shoulder
“Watch where you’re going!” she snapped before realizing who I was. Her eyes widened. “Evelyn? What are you doing here??!
I smiled sweetly. “It’s a public event. I have every right to be here.”
Lucas glared at me. This is an exclusive charity auction. How did you even get an invitation?”
“I have my connections.” I replied vaguely. “Better question is–how did you two manage to get on the guest list?“”
Clara smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “We have friends in high places now. The Blackthorn heir personally invited us.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really? How interesting.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” Lucas said coldly. “What could you possibly be bidding on anyway? Cleaning supplies?
Clara laughed. “Maybe she’s here to serve drinks. That would be more her speed.”
I maintained my composure. “I’m actually here to bid on something special“?
“With what money? Clara sneered. “Last I checked, you were unemployed and homeless.”
“Imanage” I said simply.
Lucas scoffed. “Stop pretending you belong here, Evelyn. We’ve met the Blackthom heir–the real one. Your little fantasy about being royalty is pathetic”
“She’s magnificent,” Clara added, “Beautiful, elegant, powerful–everything you’re not.”
Thope you have enough money for whatever you’re bidding on,” I said, glancing at their champagne glasses. “Wouldn’t want you stealing from pack funds to cover your expenses.
Lucas’s face darkened. “What did you just say?”
“Nothing” I smiled innocently. “Enjoy the auction.”
Lucas watched me disappear into the crowd, a strange feeling settling in his gut. “Something’s off about her. She’s too confident “Please,” Clara rolled her eyes. “She’s just putting on a brave face. Did you see that dress? Last season’s design, probably borrowed.“% Lucas returned his attention to the catalog. “Forget about her. We need to focus on the plan. Did Mia tell you which item we should bid
Clare nodded, scanning the auction catalog. “It’s lot number 47–some old pendant. Doesn’t look like much, but Mia said the heir will be very pleased if we get it.
“Are you sure?” Lucas frowned at the image in the catalog. “It looks insignificant. No one will be interested in it,”
“That’s what Mia told me, Clara insisted. “The heir has a personal connection to it. If we win it and present it to her, shell definitely support your Alpha candidacy”
The auction began, and they sat through dozens of items they had no interest in Lucas grew increasingly impatient as Clara forced him to bid on unnecessary pieces to “look wealthy.”
Finally, the auctioneer announced lot number 47.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special item- silver pendant with rare blue gemstones. We’ll start the bidding at five thousand dollars.”8
Lucas raised his paddle immediately. “Five thousand.”!
“Ten thousand,” came a voice from the back
Lucas turned to see Michael Stone, one of his rivals for the Alpha position
“Fifteen thousand,” Lucas called without hesitation &
Clara clutched his arm. That’s most of what we brought.”
*Twenty thousand, Michael countered.
Lucas gritted his teeth. “Twenty–five thousand.”
“Thirty thousand,” Michael said with a smirk.
Lucas hesitated, feeling sweat break out on his forehead.
“Fifty thousand,” he finally said.
The room fell silent. Michael glared at him but didn’t raise his paddle.l
“Fifty thousand going once, going twice…”
“Two hundred thousand dollars,”
The entire room gasped and turned toward the voice. Evelyn stood calmly, paddle raised.
“What the hell?” Clara sputtered. “That’s impossible““}
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11:20 AM
Lucas stood up. There must be some mistake. She doesn’t have that kind of money!”
The auctioneer cleared his throat. “Sir, please take your seat. We have a bid of two hundred thousand dollars.”
“She’s lying!” Clara shouted, causing murmurs throughout the crowd. “Check her finances first! She’s a nobody
I smiled serenely. “I assure you, my finances are in order
“Two hundred thousand going once… the auctioneer continued.
“Two hundred and fifty thousand Clara screamed desperately.!
Lucas grabbed her arm. “What are you doing? We don’t have that kind of money!“]
“We’ll figure it out,” she hissed back. “We cannot lose to her.
Two hundred and eighty thousand dollars.”
With visible reluctance, Lucas raised his paddle again. “Three hundred thousand.”
I met his eyes across the room and smiled. “Five hundred thousand.”
Clara stood up abruptly, “One million dollars!”
Gasps echoed throughout the room. Even the auctioneer seemed stunned. He looked at me, but I simply shook my head slightly. dropping out of the bidding
“One million dollars from the Silverstone representatives,” he announced. “Going once… going twice… sold to the couple from Silverstone Pack!
Lucas collapsed back into his seat, face pale. “We’re practically wrecked. What the fuck are we going to do now? Where are we going to get a million dollars?
find a way to replace it before
Clara’s eyes darted around nervously. “We could… borrow from the pack funds. Just temporarily. We’ll fin anyone notices
“Are you insane? Lucas whispered harshly. “That’s stealing!!
on and this
“Do you want to lose the Alpha position?” Clara snapped. “Michael and the others are gaining ground. We need the heir’s support, is the only way.“8
As they collected the pendant and left the auction room, I stepped into their path.
“Congratulations on your winning bid,” I said with a smile. “Quite impressive.”
Lucas glared at me. “What were you playing at? There’s no way you could have afforded that,”
I shrugged. “At least I won’t be broke… or tempted to steal from my pack to cover my debts.”
Clara’s face went white. “What did you just say?“!
“Oh, nothing.” I replied innocently. “Just thinking out loud. I hope you enjoy the pendant. It seems… familiar somehow, doesn’t it?”!
Lucas frowned, looking down at the boxed pendant in his hands. “What are you talking about?”
“Have a wonderful evening I said, walking away. Im sure the heir will be very pleased with your purchase.”
I heard Clara hiss behind me, “She’s bluffing. She obviously doesn’t know what she’s talking about “–
Later that night, Lucas examined the pendant they’d bid a fortune on Something about it seemed strangely familiar. He held it up to the light, studying the details
“Clara,” he called suddenly. “Come look at this. Doesn’t it look like Evelyn’s pendant? The one you broke? The one with Evelyn’s mother’s photo?“3
Clara peered at it. “Don’t be ridiculous, it’s just a similar design.D
But Lucas couldn’t shake the feeling. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number
“Marcus? I need you to find out everything you can about Evelyn Bennett. Her background, where she came from before she met me, her family.. everything. And I need to know if she has any connection to the Blackthorn heir
11.20 AM c d
