The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

She thought for a moment, then added, "A portrait of you would work as well."

Neville raised an eyebrow. "You can do portraits?"

Abby grinned. "Star's portraits are so lifelike. I have several of them with Antoney."

Neville was clearly tempted. "Deal. It's settled, then."

Stella nodded. "It's a deal."

Neville dropped out of the bidding.

Abby noticed Foreman was still in the game. She leaned in and whispered, "Star, should we give Foreman a heads up? Maybe tell him to stop bidding?"

The price of the painting had already climbed to twenty million dollars.

She could hardly wrap her mind around it—her idea of wealth just didn't stretch this far.

To these tycoons, money must feel like scrap paper.

Stella replied, "Foreman told me he came to this auction for a specific painting... Looks like this is the one. Honestly, if this is the piece he wants, I'm not sure how to talk him out of it."

Even if she told Foreman she was the original artist, would he even believe her?

Abby lowered her voice. "When we were bidding earlier, Foreman didn't make a move. It seemed like he wasn't interested at all. But once Sherman and his group jumped in, Foreman suddenly started bidding too. My guess... he's not really after the painting. He's doing this for you."

Stella looked puzzled. "For me?"

Abby nodded. "Exactly. He's sticking up for you, Star. Don't you think Foreman actually treats you pretty well?"

Stella said, "Foreman has helped me a lot, but it's probably just because of Keen. He's got a decent sense of right and wrong, not like Jasper or Haynes. That's why he looks out for me a bit more. Besides, I'm his brother's ex-wife-there's no reason he'd be interested in me."

Abby shot her a look of exasperation.

Why does Stella always make things sound so simple?

Abby was about to push the point further when Stella spoke up, "Stitt probably should warn him. Whether he listens or not, that's up to him."

With that, Stella quickly typed out a message to Foreman. She wasn't sure if he'd see it in time.

To her surprise, not only did Foreman see the message he replied almost instantly.

"All right, I'll do as you say. But Sellers bullied you tonight, so I think they deserve a little lesson."

Reading his words, Stella felt a fleeting, unfamiliar warmth stir in her chest, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

She had a vague sense of what kind of "lesson" Foreman intended for Sellers and his friends.

Just as the bidding reached thirty million, Foreman finally stopped raising his paddle.

Sherman, noticing Foreman had dropped out, looked positively smug.

"Did Stella's group really think they could compete with us? The Burton family's wealth is on a whole different level."

Sherman's expression shifted as he turned to Aurora. “You took first place in the racing championship, and I haven't even congratulated you yet. Consider this painting my gift to celebrate your victory." noveldrama

Simone laughed. "Sellers really knows how to make a statement. I'll have to tell

my brother not to let Sellers outshine him next time."

Aurora looked as if she wanted to say something, but the matter was settled- there was no way she could return the painting now.

She stayed silent.

As for Sellers, he was already thinking of the painting as his.

Abby shot a mischievous glance in their direction. "Look at how pleased they are with themselves... If they ever find out they paid a fortune for

one of Stella's works, I'd love to see the looks on their faces."