Chapter 2
But Stella had no family to say goodbye to.
Her parents had died when she was fifteen, leaving her as the sole heir to the Forbes name.
She called Alaric’s parents to express her intention to break off the engagement.
After hanging up, she headed to an auction house.
Stella’s mother, Elena Parker, had been a renowned ceramic artist. Since her death, Stella had been collecting her mother’s works as keepsakes. One piece called “Amore” – created while her mother was pregnant with her – had eluded Stella for years.
By some stroke of luck, just before her departure to Stennis Space Center, “Amore” had come up for sale.
Arriving at the auction house, Stella was surprised to see both Alaric and Jenna already there.
Seeing her, Alaric spoke coldly: “Done with your drama yet?”
Stella was confused. “Excuse me?”
Alaric’s expression hardened with impatience.
“You called my parents about breaking off the engagement. Isn’t this just because you’re unhappy with the rushed wedding plans? I’ve already increased the budget tenfold. Happy now?”
Stella realized they still didn’t believe she genuinely wanted to end things.
“You’ve got it all wrong. I really-”
Before she could finish, Alaric cut her off again.
“Enough, Stella.”
Looking at his icy expression, Stella suddenly lost the will to explain.
Whatever.
In four days, when the bride didn’t show up for the wedding, they’d understand she wasn’t bluffing.
The auction began shortly after.
Alaric turned to Jenna with unmistakable tenderness: “Your birthday’s next week. See anything you like? Just point and it’s yours.”
Jenna fidgeted nervously with the hem of her shirt, shaking her head slightly.
“Uncle Al, you’ve done enough by raising me. Everything here is way too expensive. I don’t deserve-”
08:54
Addio To The Stand In Past, This Time I Chose To Reclaim My Own Life
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Chapter 2
“Stop that,” Alaric frowned. “You deserve the best this world has to offer, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Jenna’s father, Enzo Somers, had been Alaric’s employee who died saving his life twelve years ago. Alaric had adopted Jenna afterward, having her call him “Uncle Al.”
Back then, Jenna was only ten, and Alaric twenty–one.
Now, twelve years later, that little girl had blossomed into a beautiful young woman.
Watching how Alaric gazed at Jenna with such adoration, Stella suddenly realized just how blind she had been in her previous life not to notice his feelings.
The auctioneer’s voice rang out: “Next up is the renowned ceramic piece, ‘Amore‘!”
A pristine white porcelain sculpture was brought onto the stage – a mother elephant embracing her baby.
Jenna’s eyes lit up with interest.
Alaric immediately noticed. “You like this one?”
Jenna blushed. “Yeah… it reminds me of my mom…”
At the same moment, Stella had already raised her bidding paddle.
“Ten million,” she announced.
She’d immediately offered double the market price, determined to secure her mother’s legacy.
To her surprise, Alaric raised his paddle as well.
“Fifteen million.”
Stella whipped her head around to stare at him.
Alaric’s expression remained cold. “Jenna likes it.”
Anger flashed in Stella’s eyes. “That’s my mother’s work!”
Alaric froze, finally noticing the artist’s name.
His paddle began to lower involuntarily, but then Jenna spoke, her voice catching.
“It’s okay, Uncle Al. I don’t deserve something so beautiful anyway…”
Seeing tears gather in the young woman’s eyes, Alaric felt his heart clench. Without hesitation, he called over a staff
member.
“I’ll top any bid by one million!”
“This sculpture – I’m taking it home no matter what!”
08:54
