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“There are already three collectors waiting to bid by phone. If you are bidding in person, please raise your paddle above your head–the starting price is $120 million, and we are now accepting bids!”
As the highlight of the auction, this antique attracted great interest from many collectors, and the price quickly soared to $530 million.
But Audrey, sitting in the VIP section, never raised her paddle.
She hadn’t participated in the bidding for any of tonight’s items, which surprised Claudine.
She had thought Audrey would be the biggest client tonight, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.
At that moment, the bidding stalled briefly, and Claudine smiled and spoke.
“This piece deserves another ten seconds,” she raised her auction gavel, looked toward the VIP seats, and began to count down.
“Ten, nine, … three…”
“Six hundred million!”
Audrey raised her paddle.
In that instant, everyone looked at Audrey, thinking: As expected of “Mrs. Barrette,” so generous!
With that price, it was clear she was determined to win.
Knowing her identity, no one else continued to bid, wanting to do the Barrette family a favor.
Claudine brought down the gavel.
“Congratulations, Ms. Lavigne!”
The auction ended, and Claudine returned backstage to rest.
At that moment, Audrey came over.
“Ms. Hogan, I’m really sorry about last night!”
Although Claudine disapproved of Audrey and her ex–husband’s affairs, it was ultimately someone else’s family mat- ter, so she refrained from commenting.
“It’s nothing, the property manager said it was a misunderstanding. I haven’t congratulated you yet on winning your favorite piece”
Audrey sat down next to Claudine with a familiar case, her smile tinged with a bit of shyness.
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“Actually, all of this was my ex–husband’s idea. Ever since I returned to the country, he’s been paving the way for me, hoping I can establish myself here.
“I bought this antique because my doctoral research is related to it. He said it would be convenient for studies.
“But honestly, it’s not that necessary. I could just look up the information myself.”
my
Claudine was surprised, “You’re applying for a doctorate? Is it in Antique Restoration Industry?”
Since she was also preparing for a doctoral exam in a related field, she couldn’t help but ask a few more questions.
“Yes! I’m planning to apply to Professor Nixon’s doctoral program. Since you know so much about antiques, you must have heard of Professor Nixon.”
Claudine hadn’t expected such a coincidence–this Ms. Lavigne was also applying to Professor Nixon’s doctoral pro-
gram.
Audrey continued.
“You can probably tell my ex–husband’s background is unusual, I married him for love, and when I left, I said it was for my dreams, but really, it was because of our difference in status–his family couldn’t accept me.
“Marriage is, after all, a matter of two families. He saw how I suffered in the marriage and couldn’t bear it.
“His idea is that once I get my doctorate and succeed in my career, his family won’t be able to criticize my back- ground, and we can be together again.
“He really has done a lot for me…”
Claudine finally couldn’t listen anymore and interrupted Audrey,
“Ms. Lavigne, I just remembered I have other things to take care of, so I won’t keep you.”
Audrey said, “Then I’ll go first. When you have time, let me treat you to a meal as an apology for yesterday.”
Claudine stood up, her attitude noticeably more distant.
“Ms. Lavigne, there’s no need to be so formal. It was just a misunderstanding. Besides, I might not have much time lately.”
“Ms. Hogan, do you have something against me? I genuinely want to be friends with you. I just returned to the coun- try, and apart from my ex–husband, I don’t have any friends here. But I feel like we have a real connection.”
Claudine stopped walking and turned to look at Audrey.
She was not the type to meddle in other people’s affairs, nor did she enjoy commenting on others‘ relationships.
But… perhaps because she understood all too well how painful it was to marry someone who didn’t love her, she felt a special sympathy for the girl who was kept in the dark.
“Ms. Lavigne.”
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Claudine finally spoke.
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“Have you ever considered that there was another innocent victim in the love between you and your ex–husband?”
Audrey, upon hearing this, neither became angry nor felt ashamed. She simply curved her lips slightly, her eyes filled with disdain and pride.
“Innocent?”
She stepped forward, coming right up to Claudine.
“When she married him, she was after his power and status. Everything she has had all these years, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was my charity.”
How is she innocent!
Ms. Hogan, don’t you think the love between me and my ex–husband is something rare and precious!
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