Once all the items had been auctioned, I stood up alongside the other attendees. Staff members guided the winning bidders toward the private financial lounge.
I located Mr. Shawn and handed him the signed check. Once the transaction cleared, an assistant presented me with a sleek grey velvet box.
I lifted the lid, revealing the pendant. I stared down at the dark almond-shaped jade resting inside. Up close, it appeared completely ordinary—cold and dull. Nobody looking at it would ever suspect the extraordinary power it possessed. I closed the box and secured it inside my purse.
The moment I got back to my quarters tonight, I would bind it to myself.
Stepping out of the lounge, I looked around for Lucien. Although the formal event had concluded, numerous guests remained scattered through
