Chapter 4

At 7 PM, I led Lily into the opulent auction house, nine floors beneath the city center. Here, anything could be bought.

"Esteemed guest, please proceed to the private lounge on the third floor." A woman in a stunning evening gown, seeing my exclusive badge, immediately greeted us with a respectful bow and ushered us upward.

This badge wasn't simply a matter of wealth; it required both immense fortune and power. Fewer than five guests could access the third floor.

The people on the first floor, any one of whom could easily be a millionaire, were relegated to simple seats.

"Eat up." The private lounge was adorned with expensive, delicate pastries and high-end drinks worth thousands. I placed a plate of butterfly cookies in front of Lily.

Through the one-way glass, I spotted Cassandra and Julian in the crowd below. Cassandra sat in the center, surrounded by her classmates like a princess.

I saw her fair, delicate skin and her wearing the latest designer couture. Then I looked at my own frail daughter.

It felt as though someone was twisting a knife in my chest.

The auction soon began. Cassandra announced it was her birthday, and she wanted to make a grand gesture for the entire class, bidding on whatever caught their eye.

Every time she placed a bid, I wildly outbid her.

"Who's that on the third floor? Always going against me. Aren't they afraid of offending the Thorne family?" Cassandra fumed, seeing a piece of jewelry originally priced at a million skyrocket to five million because of the competition.

"Don't worry, darling. Money's just a number. Once this is over, I'll find out who it is and make them apologize." Julian softly reassured her, pulling out a black card to soothe her anger.

Lily watched me, unsure, as I only raised bids but bought nothing.

I thought she might want something specific. With a flourish, I produced a black velvet box.

"Those items out there are just ordinary. This is Mommy's birthday gift for you, my sweet."

"See if you like it?"

She took it, stunned. Inside, nestled on the velvet, was an exquisite emerald necklace, once worn by a British princess.

It was priceless, a one-of-a-kind treasure. All the items in today's auction combined couldn't buy it.

"It's too precious. I don't deserve it…" The girl didn't even dare to touch it.

I took it directly from the box, my tone brooking no argument.

"Only you deserve it, my little princess." I fastened it around her neck myself, my expression serious.

She hugged me tightly, as if she had received the most precious treasure, the first time she had initiated such an embrace.

"Thank you, Mommy." Thank you, Mommy, for not disliking me, for accepting me despite how broken I am.

A warmth spread through my heart. I vowed then and there to give her only the best, and anyone who had bullied her would face dire consequences.

After a few whispered moments between mother and daughter, I stepped away to take a work call. When I returned, I saw Lily surrounded by a group of students on the first floor.

"Lily Thorne, Cassandra didn't even invite you. How thick-skinned are you to tag along?"

"Today, Miss Thorne is treating the whole class to this exclusive auction. She's bought something amazing for each of us, but not for a little beggar like you!"

"What cheap junk is that around her neck? It looks so fake and green." Brittany, a short-haired girl, roughly yanked the necklace from Lily's neck, leaving a red, bruised mark.

"I bet she's still dreaming of being a rich heiress. The nerve of her, still claiming to be a Thorne! Hahaha." After Jake, a jock-type guy, finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter, throwing insults like "slut" and "imposter."

In the chaos, someone snatched her crutch. Several hands shoved her, sending her tumbling to the ground.

Seeing this scene, I understood almost instantly how Lily had gotten her injuries.

Suppressing the explosive rage that threatened to consume me, I began descending the stairs, simultaneously pulling out my phone to snap pictures.

Photography was strictly forbidden in such a venue, but I was an exception.