Stella stood beside the auction stage, a vision in pale silver evening gown.
Bradley entered with Kathleen on his arm, his eyes never straying toward Stella.
A tide of whispers rose from the audience below.
“The wife lowers herself to hosting, just to please her husband. Truly Ashford’s number one doormat.”
“How could a petty thief compare to Miss Kathleen? She risked her life to save Reese from kidnappers. Bradley cherishes her out of gratitude—it’s only right.”
Stella pretended not to hear, but a sour ache bloomed in her chest.
For two years now, Kathleen had lived in the Bradley mansion as its de facto mistress, all under the pretext of caring for Reese. It was an open secret.
The auction began.
“The ‘Tears of Earth’ blue diamond ring. Starting bid: eight million.”
Bradley raised his paddle. “Ten million.” Turning to Kathleen with a gentle smile, he added, “It matches your blue velvet dress.”
Next came a jade necklace, then a pair of South Sea pearl earrings… Anything that caught Kathleen’s eye, Bradley bought at a high price. Over a dozen lots fell into his possession.
When the auctioneer gestured for Stella to deliver the items, Bradley’s voice turned icy. “Let the hostess help Miss Kathleen try them on.”
Stella’s fingers trembled. She started to bend.
“On your knees.”
Her fists clenched, but slowly she knelt.
“Thank you for your trouble, Miss Stella.” Kathleen’s lips curved as she deliberately straightened, holding herself rigidly upright.
Stella felt her calves going numb. She had to stretch her arms high to reach.
Bradley still didn’t look at her, only murmured to Kathleen, “You’re beautiful. You make these jewels priceless.”
Swallowing the bitterness, Stella struggled to keep her composure.
This was what he wanted, wasn’t it? Only by watching her grovel would his hatred feel appeased.
She repeated it like a mantra. *Hold on. Once the dragon scale at your temple turns completely gold, you’ll be free.*
When they reached the South Sea pearl earrings, Kathleen gasped. “Why is there only one?”
Instantly, Bradley’s expression darkened, his gaze locking onto Stella. “Hand it over.”
“I didn’t take it!” Stella’s face went deathly pale.
“Search her.” Bradley waved a dismissive hand at his bodyguard.
Stella struggled. “Let me go! Bradley—in front of everyone, how can you accuse me like this?”
A tearing sound ripped the air as her gown was torn open.
Bradley’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “Everyone here is either wealthy or noble. You’re the only one with a record. Suspicion falls on you naturally.”
The dress was ripped away completely, her exposed body revealing no pearl.
Bradley’s gaze dropped slowly to her undergarments.
The bodyguard understood. His fingers probed inside her bra.
Stella’s mouth was covered, cries stifled. Her body shook uncontrollably, shameful sobs catching in her throat.
Because of that one stolen thousand dollars, she would forever be a thief in his eyes. Once trust shattered, rebuilding it became a delusion she nurtured alone.
The bodyguard finished and stood. “Sir, nothing.”
“Oh,” Kathleen picked up the pearl from under her chair. “It rolled here.”
Bradley’s expression shifted briefly before hardening again. His voice held no apology. “You didn’t take it this time. That doesn’t prove you’re not a thief.”
Stella felt as if her heart had been ripped open, a cold wind howling through the cavity. No matter how she tried to prove herself, he had already convicted her.
Shaking, she pulled the torn dress around her. Then her gaze fell on a tray in a server’s hand—holding an unsold, unremarkable brownish raw stone.
She walked over. “I’ll take this stone.”
Cradling the rock, she approached Bradley and held it out. “Please, take it?”
Her voice, soft but firm, drew mocking laughter from the crowd. *Humiliated like that, and she’s still trying to please her husband!*
Bradley frowned in disgust. “If you want to curry favor, at least find something decent. What use is a worthless rock?”
But under her quiet insistence, he finally had the stone cut open on the spot.
When water washed over the cut surface, revealing a deep, pure emerald green, the entire hall erupted.
This unremarkable raw stone was worth hundreds of millions.
“My God! Even after such humiliation, Stella gives Bradley a gift like this. Truly devoted!”
“The ultimate doormat—living up to the name.”
Bradley stared at the stone, then at Stella, a strange tightness gripping his chest.
He suddenly remembered: the Bradley Group had been on the brink of collapse, only beginning its miraculous recovery after she arrived. Time and again, those seemingly coincidental opportunities for prosperity… they all seemed linked to her.
If she truly had such an ability, why would she have stolen that thousand dollars back then?
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something—
But Stella ignored him, silently reciting: *Take it. This is a crucial step in the Bradley family’s rise. And another step toward my departure.*
The auction ended amidst envious stares.
“Bradley,” Kathleen said softly, taking his arm. “Reese is waiting. Let’s go home.”
Bradley nodded, gesturing for Stella to get in the car as well.
Kathleen had taken only two steps when her slender heel snapped. She stumbled, nearly falling.
Without hesitation, Bradley looked at Stella. “Take off your shoes. Give them to Kathleen.”
Silently, Stella removed her shoes and climbed into the car barefoot.
After a short drive, Kathleen suddenly leaned over and kissed Bradley.
He returned the kiss with exaggerated fervor, his gaze flicking to the rearview mirror. Seeing the utter indifference in Stella’s eyes only fueled his irritation.
She fawned over him in every other way. Why didn’t she show jealousy when he was intimate with Kathleen? What right did she have not to care?
“Walk home yourself.” He shoved her out of the car. He’d expected resistance, but she obeyed like a well-trained dog.
The car sped away, kicking up dust. Only then did Stella remember—her phone was still inside. She couldn’t call a cab.
The sky darkened. Heavy rain began to fall.
Barefoot, she walked step by step through the gathering puddles.
Her reflection in a water-filled pothole showed a wretched face.
The dragon scale at her temple pulsed with a faint heat. The gold… seemed to have deepened another shade.
