Miranda finally finished her makeover.
As she stepped out of the studio, a red Bugatti was already waiting for her, sleek and poised like a crouching leopard.
Seeing Eric standing there waiting made Miranda’s mood inexplicably brighter. With Eric’s support, she was certain there was no chance of failing to secure her mother’s artwork at the auction.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the passenger door.
Eric turned to look at her. Miranda’s golden curls cascaded softly over her bare shoulders, and her red evening gown perfectly outlined her graceful curves. Eric couldn’t help but marvel, his voice filled with admiration: “You look stunning tonight.”
Miranda smiled faintly, pulled down the vanity mirror, and took a lipstick from her Chanel handbag. As she touched up her lips, she quipped, “There’s bound to be a fierce battle later. I need to stay at my best.”
The auction hadn’t even started, yet Vivienne and Broad were already surrounded by a small crowd. Broad had made it no secret that he was determined to acquire today’s prized lot-Versailles Twilight.
Many wealthy individuals attended the auction, but when it came to family background, few could rival Broad. Everyone tacitly agreed that Versailles Twilight was as good as his. Owning the painting meant gaining the opportunity to work with Sora Group. Rather than competing against Broad, most people chose to curry favor with him-letting him win the painting and then hoping for a share of the benefits after his deal with Sora Group was signed.
A woman with a hooked nose seized the moment to flatter Vivienne. “Vivienne, you look absolutely stunning tonight! I don’t think anyone can outshine you.”
“Thank you. I think you look lovely too,” Vivienne replied.
The compliment made Vivienne stand a little taller, her pride evident.
Just then, a strikingly handsome couple entered through the door, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
Vivienne turned to look, her expression darkening as she recognized the woman. Miranda.
Why is she everywhere?
Vivienne’s good mood vanished the moment Miranda appeared.
She noticed that after a brief exchange with Miranda, Eric stepped away, leaving her alone. Seizing the opportunity, Vivienne approached Miranda, her tone dripping with hostility. “Why do you keep showing up wherever I go?”
Miranda stood tall in front of Vivienne, her naturally statuesque figure made even more imposing by her high heels. She met Vivienne’s glare without flinching. “Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?”
“You!” Vivienne gritted her teeth in anger. “Don’t get too cocky! Everything you have right now is thanks to Eric. You two are worlds apart. He won’t stay interested in you for long. Once he gets bored, you’ll be out in the cold!”
Miranda chuckled, nodding slightly. “Thanks for the reminder. As a return favor, let me share something with you-Broad is trying to reconcile with me. He even promised to end things with you. Maybe you should think about whether Broad is someone you can really trust.”
“Are you trying to drive a wedge between Broad and me? I won’t fall for it!” Vivienne’s face darkened, her anger barely contained.
At that moment, Eric returned. Miranda naturally linked her arm with his, and Eric responded with a warm, indulgent smile.
“Is there a problem, darling?” he asked.
Miranda playfully raised her fist and joked, “Are you underestimating me? What problem could I possibly have? I’m invincible! No one can hurt me-not even you, darling.”
Eric couldn’t help but think of the time Miranda had effortlessly dealt with five drunken men at a bar to protect him.
He nodded in agreement. “You’re right. I shouldn’t worry about you.”
Just then, Broad walked over and rejoined Vivienne.
Miranda greeted him with a smile, “This is my boyfriend. My dear ex-husband, you’ve met him before.”
Broad’s expression darkened slightly, but he quickly suppressed his anger, reminding himself that his main goal was to secure the painting.
“Good evening, Mr. Wilson,” Broad said, taking a deep breath and extending his hand.
“Good evening,” Eric replied, shaking his hand with a polite smile.
To others, the two men appeared cordial, but beneath the surface, their handshake was a silent power struggle.
Broad withdrew his hand, his mind racing as he tried to discern why Eric was here. He couldn’t afford any disruptions during the auction.
Testing the waters, Broad asked, “Mr. Wilson, what brings you to the auction tonight?”
Eric glanced at Miranda and smiled. “I’m here to keep Miranda company. If there’s something she likes, I plan to buy it for her as a gift.”
Eric’s words unsettled Broad, who couldn’t help but wonder about the true nature of their relationship. Could Eric genuinely be interested in Miranda?
Broad’s gaze lingered on Miranda. For some reason, she seemed even more captivating now than before. Especially after Eric openly claimed her as his girlfriend, Broad felt a pang of regret. Why had he ever suggested a divorce?
Leaning closer to Eric, Broad lowered his voice in warning. “Until the divorce agreement is signed, Miranda is still mine. Whatever she wants, I will buy for her-not you.”
Eric let out a hearty laugh, his tone light but laced with defiance. “We’ll see about that.”
The two men maintained a facade of politeness, but their silent competition over Miranda was evident to anyone paying attention-much to Vivienne’s irritation.
Vivienne’s growing frustration, coupled with Broad’s jealousy, only served to amuse Miranda.
But why was Broad so fixated on obtaining Versailles Twilight?
Ah, of course-the partnership with Sora Group.
Still, that wasn’t the most intriguing part. Miranda was almost certain of one thing: if Broad went to great lengths to secure the painting, only to later discover that the owner of Sora Group was none other than the woman he had underestimated, his reaction would be priceless.
Miranda glanced toward the stage. The first item of the auction was being presented. The event had officially begun.