Chapter 2

2

I couldn't say no to Caleb, so I found myself at the auction house later that evening.

Just as the final item was about to be presented, a man broke through security and stood before me, his face a mask of cold fury.

"Why didn't you stop them? You just let those things be put up for auction? Do you have any idea how much damage this will do to me?"

I didn't say a word; I just stared at him in silence.

Silas gritted his teeth and lowered his voice.

"You're here to buy things anyway. Buy the final lot for me. Don't let those photos get out into the world!"

"Buy it for you? On what grounds?"

I couldn't help but laugh. I genuinely couldn't understand how he could be so entitled to my sacrifice.

Silas's breath hitched, and he looked at me as if I were a stranger.

In the past, if Silas Thorne asked for something, I would never dream of saying no.

Once he realized I wasn't joking, his expression darkened instantly.

"Fine. Consider the money a loan. I'll pay you back every cent."

"I'm not a bank. This auction is boring, Caleb. Let's go home."

Just as I stood up, the bidding for the final item began.

"I'll start at six hundred thousand! I heard this item is closely related to Silas Thorne. I'm dying to see it."

"Seven hundred thousand! Mrs. Vanderbilt, give me some face and let me have this one."

"Pearl, you're in your fifties and still obsessed with young Mr. Thorne? That's just sad."

The bickering between the wealthy socialites made Silas's face turn an even uglier shade of red.

He looked at me with desperate urgency.

"Clarissa, what do I have to do to make you bid? Don't push me too far, or you'll only make me despise you more."

"There is nothing you can do to make me help you."

Over the years, I had poured so much money and effort into saving the Thorne family from their messes.

Silas had never given me even a shred of credit for it.

Now, I wasn't about to throw my family's wealth down a black hole for him.

As I turned to leave, a woman suddenly blocked my path.

"If you don't want to help, then don't. But why do you have to humiliate Silas like this?"

The woman was stunning, dressed in a provocative outfit that radiated raw, flirtatious energy.

For years, people wondered if Silas Thorne preferred innocent wallflowers or elegant ice queens.

Nobody expected him to fall for someone as scandalous and vibrant as Sienna Blackwood.

I glanced at Silas and saw the overwhelming gratitude in his eyes.

I had given him my soul and never got a second glance.

Yet Sienna only had to open her mouth, and he was ready to die for her.

Even the drugging incident happened because he was trying to play the hero for her and got targeted.

Since he wanted to be a hero so badly, I was happy to let him.

But he would have to deal with the consequences himself.

"He's not worth the effort of humiliating. Since you care so much, why don't you bid for the photos yourself?"

The air froze, and a heavy, awkward silence settled over the room.

Before Sienna could respond, Silas stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body while glaring at me with pure loathing.

"Clarissa, if you won't help, just leave Sienna out of this. Her family isn't as wealthy as yours."

"I know that if she had the money, she wouldn't hesitate for a second to help me."

I looked at him, stifling another laugh.

It seemed he still didn't know that Sienna was actually a billionaire heiress.

Buying those photos would have been pocket change for her.