Sylvie instantly recognized the pearl. It was the one she spat out when she took on a human form all those years ago.
She raised her auction paddle and called out, "I'm bidding 500 million dollars."
As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd burst into commotion.
Connor looked at Sylvie in shock. "Have you lost your mind? Even if you're jealous, you shouldn't be hiking up the price like that."
Sylvie couldn't even be bothered to look at him as she replied, "It's none of your business. I'm not spending your money."
When she first came to the human world, she pawned off many of the treasures she brought from the underwater realm. All that money was stored in her private bank account, and she had more than enough to buy the pearl.
Anna was displeased to see Connor talking to Sylvie. "Connor, I want you to help me get the Pearl of the Merpeople!"
For the first time, Connor was a little hesitant when it came to fulfilling one of Anna's requests. Shaw Group was currently facing a bit of a financial crisis. He didn't quite have enough cash on hand to buy something that would cost him over 500 million dollars.
"Annie, I've already bought so many treasures for you today. Let's just forget about this one…"
"No! I must have it!" Anna insisted angrily. "Have you forgotten? You said when you were little, you dreamed that I became a mermaid and saved you from the ocean. Let's make the Pearl of the Merpeople the symbol of our love, okay?"
The auctioneer's voice rang out once more, "500 million going once. 500 million going twice…"
"Connor!" Anna urged frantically.
Connor gritted his teeth and raised his paddle, calling out, "550 million!"
That was the most he could fork out right now.
Smiling faintly, Sylvie didn't even hesitate to double her bid. The crowd was in an uproar, and Anna turned pale with fury.
After the auction, Connor approached Sylvie and held his hand out. "Give me the pearl."
"What are you talking about?" Sylvie asked in confusion.
Connor was taken aback. "Weren't you bidding on it for me?"
Sylvie found that notion laughable. She looked straight into his eyes and said, "This belongs to me. Why should I give it to you?"
Alas, Anna's voice drowned out her retort. "Connor, to make it up to me, you need to watch the fireworks with me tonight."
Connor had failed to catch what Sylvie said.
…
Once Sylvie got back to the house, she called up a moving company and had them collect her things to be trashed.
When the movers saw the exquisite clothes and shoes that filled the closet, they were rather hesitant. "Are you sure you want to throw everything out, Ms. Waverly?"
Sylvie nodded at once. She was severing all ties she had formed with the human world in the last seven years and returning to her own world, unburdened by anything.
She took out the notebook. Seeing the numbers that filled the pages, she silently reminded herself that she only needed one last time. Then, she could leave Connor for good, never to cross paths again.
However, she had prepared to give him a gift after the final round.
Sylvie had set up a camera in the worship room where the altar was.
What Connor wanted to protect the most was his persona as the religious, celibate man.
Well, Sylvie was going to use the camera to record her final bout of intimacy with him and upload it for all to see. That was the "surprise" she was giving him before her departure.
