Chapter 467

On the opposite side of the room, Victoria handed her mother a crisp envelope.

"Mother, the invitation you requested."

Eleanor Kensington's eyes lit up as she tucked it into her designer clutch.

"Marvelous. Do convey my gratitude to Alexander."

"Neither of us will be attending tomorrow's event," Victoria stated plainly.

Eleanor's perfectly manicured fingers stilled.

"I see."

The night of the prestigious auction arrived.

Isabella Sinclair made her entrance alongside her aunt Caroline, their heels clicking against the marble floors.

At the registration desk, their paths crossed with Eleanor and Beatrice Kensington.

Recognition flashed across Eleanor's face when she spotted Isabella.

Her lips pursed slightly.

This wasn't just any auction - the starting bids exceeded what most elite families could afford.

Only the crème de la crème of global society had received invitations.

Without Alexander's influence, the Kensingtons wouldn't have secured seats.

But Isabella...

Given Nathaniel Graves' current prominence and their connection, obtaining an invitation would've been effortless.

The thought made Eleanor turn away pointedly.

Their premium seats, courtesy of Alexander, placed them near the front.

Fate, it seemed, had a sense of humor - Isabella and Caroline were seated directly beside them.

Just as they settled in, Oliver Westbrook arrived.

His step faltered when he noticed Isabella.

Then he saw Eleanor beside her.

A quiet "oh dear" escaped his lips.

This was social dynamite waiting to explode.

After seating his companion, Oliver immediately texted Alexander: "Isabella's at the diamond auction. Sitting right next to your future mother-in-law!"

The reply came swiftly: "Noted."

Nothing more.

Complete indifference.

Oliver blinked at his phone.

When he glanced back, Isabella caught his gaze and deliberately looked away, her expression unreadable.

Eleanor, however, offered a polite nod.

"Mr. Westbrook."

He returned an awkward smile.

"Mrs. Kensington..."

Moments later, Dominic Fairchild arrived.

His seat happened to be beside Caroline's.

He ignored Isabella completely, and she returned the favor, treating him like invisible air.

Still, like Oliver, he acknowledged Eleanor with polite deference.

The auction commenced with a parade of luxury items - each carrying price tags starting in the tens of millions.

Isabella remained disinterested until the main event.

When the legendary diamond was unveiled, the entire room gasped.

Even Isabella, who typically didn't fawn over jewels, found herself mesmerized by its unparalleled brilliance.

Eleanor, a self-proclaimed connoisseur, was rendered speechless.

She'd owned countless exquisite pieces, but nothing compared to this masterpiece.

Her gaze remained locked on the display case.

"Starting bid - four hundred million," announced the auctioneer.

Paddles shot up immediately.

Isabella's was among them.

Eleanor's head snapped toward her in shock.

She'd assumed Isabella was merely spectating - admiring what she couldn't possibly afford.

The realization that she was actually bidding...

"Five hundred million," Isabella declared coolly.

The number hung in the air as Eleanor's carefully maintained composure faltered for the first time that evening.