Under the Heiress' Facade

The burly man clapped his hands and returned to the room.

He respectfully informed the grandmaster, "Bernard, the issue has been resolved."

Bernard grunted in response.

The auction was already underway. He adjusted his posture, grabbed his phone, and launched the WhatsApp chat with Hera.

Their last conversation concluded with the message, "Beg me, and I'll send it again."

Unable to believe that she had ignored him, he tapped on the screen and sent her a message.

Meanwhile, on the fifth floor, Hera wasn't interested in anything except the Eclipse Stone. So, she put on her headphones and focused on the matching tiles game.

Suddenly, a WhatsApp notification popped up on her phone screen, so she clicked on it.

It was Bernard asking, "Where are you?"

Her heart skipped a beat. Her first instinct was to check if he knew she was at the auction. She casually glanced around, scanning her surroundings.

However, she couldn't spot him on the same level or any level below her. The floors above the sixth were out of her sight.

She recalled mentioning the Eclipse Stone to Bernard before, so she expected him to be there. With that in mind, she replied with another question instead of an answer.

"Where are you?"Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

Even though she was in disguise and unlikely to be recognized, she felt it was wise to know his location as a precaution.

Bernard responded, "Skyview Heights. Aren't you returning?"

He added a pitiful face emoji at the end.

Hera was left speechless by his response. Instead of putting her at ease, it only fueled her anger that he wasn't present at the auction venue.

She wondered if it was because she hadn't emphasized enough about the Eclipse Stone's potential to improve his condition. She even considered that he was perhaps simply not interested in regaining his health.

He messaged again, "Where are you now?"

She was annoyed and curtly texted her response, "Everett residence."

She hit send and almost immediately received an invitation to video call him.

Her heart skipped a beat in fright. She hastily declined the call, though she couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling.

So, she quickly added, "In the shower."

On the seventh floor, Bernard's faint smile broke out as he read her reply. The tension he had felt over her words dissipated at last.

He was relieved she hadn't attended the auction. Without acquiring the Eclipse Stone, she wouldn't be able to leave him.

As time flew by, the auction drew to a close.

"Next up for auction is the highlight for tonight—the Eclipse Stone!"

With the host's announcement, a staff member approached and placed a brocade box on the display table.

The table was equipped with a camera, and it broadcasted the Eclipse Stone's image to tablets on each viewing platform for bidders to examine.

As the box opened, a translucent, egg-sized water droplet crystal with a black pearl floated in the center. It was known as the Eclipse Stone, and its beauty captivated all who beheld it.