The Auctioned Wife

Chapter 3

I gave the staff member a few quiet instructions in a calm voice.

The moment he heard them, his face went white. He stared at me in terror, spun around, and ran. He knocked over a chair but didn't even stop to pick it up.

Noticing what I had done, the auctioneer sneered. "Ms. Bennett, calling the police won't help."

"This is a legal private auction, and your husband is one of its organizers."

I raised my head, my gaze icy. "I'm not calling the police. I sent for someone who can prove who I am."

The hall erupted again. The laughter was even more grating than before.

"She still hasn't given up on her princess fantasy? The Bennett Group used to rule the business world, and now there isn't even a trace of it left!"

"Prove it? How? Is she going to summon old Mr. Bennett himself?"

"The shock has driven her completely insane! Nathan, you married a lunatic!"

Nathan frowned as well, evidently annoyed by my persistence.

"Enough, Evelyn. I'll play this little game with you after everyone leaves. Don't ruin the evening."

I ignored him. Reaching inside my collar, I drew out the pendant I always kept hidden against my skin.

It was carved from flawless white jade and bore the letter B.

I held it up for everyone to see.

"I told you I belong to the Bennett family. The Bennett Group also owns shares in this auction house, which gives me the right to stop the auction!"

Shock spread across the faces of several older guests when they saw the pendant.

They had all heard of the Bennett Group, a name that had dominated the business world fifteen years earlier.

"That's... the Bennett family heirloom!" cried an elderly man with snow-white hair and beard.

His voice carried with particular clarity through the suddenly quiet hall.

Just as everyone held their breath, an old yet commanding voice came from the VIP section.

"Bring it here. Let me see it."

Everyone turned toward the voice. An elderly man in a wheelchair was slowly pushed into view.

His hair was silver and his face gaunt, but his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's.

He was William Harris, one of the most respected elder statesmen of the business world. He had built a vast commercial empire from nothing and had once done business with the Bennett family.

The crowd automatically opened a path for him.

Even Nathan inclined his head respectfully.

I handed Mr. Harris the pendant. He put on his reading glasses and carefully examined it under the light, turning it over and rubbing its surface.

Everyone waited for his verdict with bated breath.

For the first time, tension appeared on Nathan's face. He watched Mr. Harris anxiously.

Sophia forgot to act fragile and stared fixedly at the old man.

After a long while, Mr. Harris returned the pendant to me and sighed.

He looked at me with both pity and disappointment before speaking slowly.

"The quality of the jade is impressive, but unfortunately, it's an imitation."

"Young lady, impersonating a member of the Bennett family is an insult to them!"