The day after returning to the Crawford residence, Thomas took Joan and me to an exclusive jewelry auction under the pretext of helping me unwind.
With his one arm casually draped around my waist and Joan clung tightly against him on the other side, the three of us formed a strange and attention-grabbing formation. Many people cast complicated looks at our way; some sympathetic, some curious, but most with amused looks, as if watching a show.
The auction proceeded smoothly, but I was losing interest until a sapphire necklace was presented on the display stand.
As if possessed, I raised my bidding paddle. “One hundred and eighty thousand dollars.”
Almost the moment my words fell, Joan’s sweet voice chimed in beside me, “Two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.”
I turned to look at her. She wore an innocent and naïve expression. “Victoria, I really like it too.”
I tightened my grip and raised my paddle again. "Two hundred and seventy thousand dollars."
"Three hundred dollars." Joan followed closely.
Whispers rippled through the room—it was clear to everyone that this wasn't a normal bidding war.
Suddenly, Thomas made a gesture. "Always bid fifteen cents higher."
This meant that, no matter how high the final bid reached, he pledged to purchase the item for fifteen cents more than the winning bid.
The auctioneer excitedly brought down the hammer. “Congratulations, Mr. Crawford!”
The sapphire necklace was carefully presented before us.
I thought it was for me, but Thomas didn't glance at me. Instead, he gently placed the necklace around Joan's neck. “Joan, consider this a wish for your surgery's success. You deserve the very best.”
Joan’s eyes reddened with emotion as she threw herself into Thomas’s arms.
And I turned around, and under everyone's sympathetic or mocking gaze, I walked out of the auction hall stiffly and went to the balcony.
Unexpectedly, Joan followed me out and stood beside me.
“Sister,” she said softly, her voice laced with malice as she gently stroked the necklace, “What a pity. You can never win against me. Ever since childhood, everything you've wanted will ultimately be mine.”
She paused, admiring my pale profile. “Your child... what a pity. But it doesn't matter. Once I get better, I'll have many children with Thomas. As for you, you'll end up with nothing.”
I remained silent, refusing to turn toward her. But she suddenly took a step back and raised her hand.
Smack!
A crisp slap echoed.
"Why did you hit me?" she cried out with tears streaming down her face as if she had suffered the greatest injustice. “I was only trying to comfort you. I know you're hurting, but how could you do this?”
I turned in shock, but Thomas had already rushed out after he heard the sound.
When he saw the red mark on Joan's cheek, his face instantly turned gloomy. "Victoria."
He pulled the sobbing Joan behind him. “When are you going to stop causing trouble? Joan kindly came to cheer you up, and this is how you treat her? You made a scene at the hospital, you made a scene at home, and now you’re embarrassing yourself out here. Where are your manners?”
“I didn't ...” My protest sounded weak and feeble.
“Enough!” Thomas cut me off, refusing to listen. He shot me a look of utter disgust before turning to the butler, who had hurried over, and instructed, “Madam is unwell after her miscarriage and emotionally unstable. Take her home immediately. She is not to leave the house again without my permission.”
