Chapter 2

Scarlett had no family to say goodbye to. Her parents had died when she was 15 years old, leaving her as the sole member of the Yeager family. She called Harrison's parents and formally asked to call off the engagement. After hanging up, she headed to the auction house. Scarlett's mother, Livia Kane, had been a renowned ceramic artist. After Livia's passing, Scarlett had spent years collecting her works, cherishing them as mementos. One of the pieces, titled "Love", was created by Livia while she was pregnant with Scarlett. Scarlett had spent years searching for it. Fate seemed to be on her side. Just before she was set to leave for Nebula Research Center, she finally found "Love" up for auction. Arriving at the venue, she was surprised to see Harrison and Hazel there as well. Harrison's gaze turned cold the moment he spotted her. "Scarlett, haven't you had enough?" Scarlett blinked. "What?" His irritation deepened. "You called my parents to break off the engagement just because you weren't happy with how rushed the wedding was, right? I've increased the wedding budget tenfold. Are you happy now?" Scarlett realized he still didn't believe she was serious about calling off the engagement. "You misunderstood. I really—" "Enough," Harrison interrupted. "Quit playing games, Scarlett." Looking at the icy expression on his face, Scarlett lost the desire to argue. Forget it. In four days, when the wedding happened without a bride, he'd finally believe her. The auction began. Harrison turned to Hazel and asked gently, "Hazel, your birthday is coming up. Tell me what you want. I'll get you anything." Hazel fidgeted with the hem of her dress and shook her head. "Uncle Harry, you've already done so much for me by raising me. Everything here is too expensive. I don't deserve any of it." "Don't say that." Harrison frowned. "You deserve the best." Hazel's father had been one of Harrison's employees. 12 years ago, he died saving Harrison, so the latter adopted Hazel and had her call him Uncle Harry. Back then, Hazel had been a ten-year-old girl, and Harrison was 21 years old. 12 years had passed, and that timid little girl had grown into a strikingly beautiful young woman. Watching the tenderness in Harrison's expression as he gazed at Hazel, Scarlett suddenly realized just how blind she'd been in her past life. How had she never noticed his feelings for Hazel before? At that moment, the auctioneer's voice rang out, "Next up is a renowned porcelain piece, 'Love'!" The sculpture was placed on display. It was a porcelain-white depiction of a mother elephant embracing her calf. Hazel lifted her head instantly. Harrison noticed. "You like this?" Hazel's cheeks flushed. "Yeah. It reminds me of my late mother." At the same moment, Scarlett raised her paddle. "Ten million dollars." She offered double the market value without hesitation. No matter what, she had to reclaim Livia's work. But to her surprise, Harrison raised his bidding paddle as well. "15 million dollars." Scarlett snapped her head around to look at him. His expression remained indifferent. "Hazel likes it." Anger flashed in her eyes. "That is my mom's piece!" Harrison froze, only then noticing the artist's name. His hand holding the paddle instinctively lowered, but Hazel suddenly choked up and said, "It's okay, Uncle Harry. I'm not worthy of something so beautiful anyway." Harrison looked at her tear-filled eyes and felt a sharp pang in his chest. Without a second thought, he turned to a staff member. "I'm bidding on blank checks. I'm taking that piece home, no matter what."