Chapter 2 Two Lunatics

Elin's face turned pale as she bit her lip stubbornly and tugged on Damon's sleeve. "It seems I should leave. I won't make things difficult for you and...your wife." She turned to leave, realizing her position. No matter how unwilling, she had to retreat. She straightened her back, her slender shoulders and white dress making her look like a fragile butterfly, evoking pity. Damon immediately grabbed her hand, interlacing their fingers protectively in front of Evelyn. "Even if someone has to leave, it's not you. Without you, who would help me bid tonight? You’re important." He looked at Evelyn with a cold smile. "Not just anyone can stay." It was almost as if he was outright telling Evelyn to leave. Evelyn crossed her arms, her fingers glowing softly like pearls against the red dress. "Oh, I see. I’ll leave. We can each do our own thing without interfering!" "After all, she’s your prized poor girl." Damon's gaze fell on Evelyn's fingers, feeling something was missing. "Wait, where's your wedding ring?" She glanced mockingly at Damon's hand. "Yours is missing too. How dare you question me? Did your white butterfly give you the nerve?" Damon's face turned red and white in anger. Even Elin's expression froze, her tears awkwardly hanging, ready to fall. In high spirits, Evelyn turned and sat in the VIP section on the second floor, knowing Damon wouldn’t save a seat for her. She was the only daughter of the immensely wealthy Elizabeth family, raised like a noble princess. No auction house would dare not honor her. At this point, Damon wasn’t entirely devoted to Elin, just somewhat interested. This auction revealed Elin’s unique taste in jewelry, which later helped Damon cement his position as the leader in the jewelry industry. If Evelyn wanted, her reborn self could surpass Elin, given she could predict jewelry trends. But her heart no longer belonged to this cold, unfeeling man. She planned to build her wealth and then kick Damon out, enjoying life with handsome men as she pleased. At this auction, a set of underestimated antique jewelry would be bought by a small businessman, who later sold it for a huge profit, becoming a billionaire. Evelyn was here for that antique jewelry. On stage, the host passionately auctioned off some small art pieces before reaching the climax—the emerald stones the size of ping pong balls, starting at ten million. Damon, still searching for Evelyn, was distracted. Elin, close to him, carefully tugged on his sleeve. "Mr. Hilton, these emeralds are perfect for our jewelry line. May I bid on them?" He finally looked back, patting Elin’s hand. "Your taste is impeccable. Go ahead." Elin proudly won the emeralds, not realizing the high starting price had already deterred some buyers. With Hilton Jewelry being famous for emerald pieces, other jewelry companies, respecting Damon, only made token bids. Elin, under Damon’s protection, indiscriminately bid, enhancing Hilton's emerald jewelry's prestige and value, ensuring Damon always profited. The post-climax items were mostly uninteresting. "This set of jewelry, called 'The Light of La Manche,' has a long history. Though its design is ancient, it holds high collection value, starting at eight million!" "Fifty million." The crowd gasped, looking at the bidder—Evelyn in the VIP section. She looked like a proud princess, willing to spend lavishly on what she desired. Is she crazy? Damon first thought. Jealous of Elin's purchases, trying to steal the spotlight? Frustrated, he texted Evelyn: Pick any of the emeralds, the biggest one, alright? Evelyn glanced at the text, sneering as she locked her phone screen. "Fifty million once..." "Fifty million twice!" "Seems she's just a pretty vase. I wouldn't take that junk even for free!" Eric scoffed. "One hundred million!" Brian's voice wasn't loud but stunned everyone. Eric’s eyes widened, "Damn! She's crazy, and so are you?!" Evelyn, sitting across from them, frowned at the bid. When she locked eyes with Brian, he blew her a kiss, teasing her openly. Evelyn's face heated up. She knew him, a man who made his fortune in arms and shady industries, now interested in the jewelry business? She steadied her breath. "Two hundred million." Her phone buzzed frantically. Damon, downstairs, held up his phone, mouthing: Stop it. "Three hundred million!" Brian raised an eyebrow, challenging her. Fine, you want to play, huh? Evelyn decisively raised her paddle. "One billion!" Eric was stunned, "She's insane! One billion for a pile of oxidized junk!?" Brian laughed at her fearless determination, raising his glass in a distant toast: It’s yours, sweetheart. "One billion once..." "One billion twice!" "One billion three times!! Lot 666 is sold!" The hammer fell. Evelyn exhaled, blaming Brian for the mess, making her spend more and teasing her—a complete rogue! She rolled her eyes at his toast, irritated. Brian, unashamed, laughed heartily, his carefree laughter echoing through the venue. Damon watched Evelyn intently. Her interaction with Brian didn’t go unnoticed. The Evelyn he once knew wore her heart on her sleeve. Now, she was a mystery. She didn’t seem to bid just to spite him, yet the jewelry set was worthless. What was she up to? Instinctively, Damon felt Brian had ulterior motives towards Evelyn. He might not like Evelyn, but that didn’t mean others could covet his wife. Elin sighed pitifully, "It's alright, Mr. Hilton. I’ll make up for any loss she causes you. With me, you’ll never lose out." Damon looked away, his tone icy, "She's an adult. She’ll pay for her own actions. I won't interfere."