“Good, because we’re buying that.”

Gabriel’s eyes widen, but before he can say anything, I raise the placard in front of me and say, “Forty thousand.”

A pin drop silence falls in the room. It lasts for a few seconds and suddenly everyone is whispering, trying to get a good look at me. I paste a serene expression on my face and sit back in my chair.

“What are you doing?” Gabriel whispers.

“I’m drawing his attention away from that hussy Celia Parker and to me.”

“Aaliya, that’s their family heirloom. He won’t allow you to outbid him. That necklace has been worn by seven generations of Duchesses in his family.”

“Brilliant,” I retort, “now the eighth Duchess, that’s me, is going to buy it.”

I focus back on the bid at hand. It has reached forty-four thousand now as more buyers are showing interest. Damien still has to place a bid though. I turn and find him staring at me. I raise a pointed brow and toast my glass to him. He angles his head and observes me for a few moments. Finally, he raises his placard on forty-six thousand.

“Well, well, you have awoken the monster,” Jonathan comments from my other side.

“Is that right? Then let’s rile up that monster some more, shall we? Fifty thousand,” I say loudly, increasing the stakes.

Jonathan laughs.

“I like her,” he tells Gabe.

I throw my head back and laugh.

Damien

“YOU CANNOT LET THAT slip of a girl steal our family legacy, Damien!” My mother hisses in my ear. “Raise the bid, now!”

I give her a frosted look before I raise my placard for the first time. I’m not doing this for her. I hadn’t even planned on bidding on my mother’s necklace at all. Contrary to her expectations, I’m not her lap dog. Never have been and never will be. I was absolutely fine letting someone else buy that damn piece. My mother has several family heirlooms and plenty more new pieces. She could very well do without this one. Besides, if she had brought up David better then she’d never have lost the piece in the first place.

But then Aaliya raised the stakes.

My mother bestows a wide smile at me as I continue raising my bid on the necklace. I ignore her and concentrate on Aaliya instead. My lips curve as she once again counters my raise with a higher bid. All the other contenders back off, and now it’s just her and me bidding for a piece of my family heritage.