Chapter 3

"Victoria!" William's face darkened, the thin sheets of paper crackling in his grip.

He had erectile dysfunction?

Fine!

He'd make damn sure she saw what he was capable of!

Meanwhile.

Victoria, who was packing her things, suddenly sneezed.

She'd rented a one-bedroom apartment.

It took over an hour by subway from the hospital where she worked.

But the rent was cheap.

She wanted to save money to pay William back.

However, Edward Radcliffe, another student of her professor who was older than her, wanted to partner with her to open a private clinic. She was considering it.

After all, running your own business brought in money faster. The sooner she paid back that debt, the sooner she and William could be done with each other.

By the time she finished organizing everything, it was already four in the afternoon.

Less than three hours until the auction.

A few days ago, she'd learned that the ancestral pocket watch her adoptive mother had pawned to pay for her medical treatment would be auctioned today, so she'd asked a friend to help get her an admission ticket.

Victoria quickly put on some light makeup and headed out.

The auction was set at the Crown Auction Gallery in the city center.

This was the most glamorous and extravagant place in all of Emerald City, frequented only by the wealthy and privileged.

Victoria had just sat down when she heard a commotion outside.

She turned around and saw a scene that made her heart contract.

Bianca, wearing a crimson dress and holding William's arm, walked in gracefully.

A circle of people surrounded them, fawning over them excessively.

"Mr. Sinclair and Miss Ashford are such a perfect match."

"Miss Ashford is not only a movie queen but also the director of an international top ballet company. So accomplished at such a young age—she's truly worthy of Mr. Sinclair's affection."

"Mr. Sinclair, are you here for any particular item today? About our last collaboration, we really must thank Mr. Sinclair for giving our company the opportunity. Whatever catches your eye, just say the word and I'll have it delivered to you tomorrow."

"..."

The way they looked at William and Bianca was full of suggestiveness, as if they'd forgotten William was already married with a wife.

Victoria clenched her fists. The moment she looked up, she met Bianca's mocking eyes.

Bianca covered her mouth and let out a surprised gasp.

"Oh, Victoria, what are you doing here? If I'd known, you could have ridden with William and me."

Her tone, expression, and that overly familiar way she said "William" all emphasized their intimacy.

Victoria pressed her lips together, her face expressionless as she looked at Bianca's and William's tightly intertwined arms.

"No need for your concern."

The moment she finished speaking, Bianca put on a wounded look and tugged at William's sleeve.

"Victoria, I was just being nice. Why are you being so mean?"

Victoria's gaze shifted to William.

His handsome face showed no extra emotion, as if Victoria were a stranger who had nothing to do with him.

Her heart couldn't help but ache.

They were divorced. William could finally be with Bianca, the one he'd always wanted.

Victoria turned her head away, unwilling to continue the conversation. "The auction's about to start."

"Victoria, should I have William move your seat closer to the front? You're sitting too far back there..."

Before she could finish, Victoria couldn't help but interrupt. "No need."

"You never know what's good for you."

William spoke his first words of the day.

The moment he saw Victoria, he wanted to strangle her.

Daring to ask for a divorce was one thing, but then writing all that nonsense in the divorce agreement.

If he signed it, wouldn't that prove she was right?

William slowly approached Victoria and said viciously in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Victoria, you'll really stop at nothing to avoid this divorce!"

After William left, Victoria snapped back to reality.

She looked confused.

What did he mean she'd stop at nothing to avoid the divorce?

But she didn't have time to think about it, because the auction was officially starting.

Throughout, Victoria remained calm.

Until the hostess brought up the ruby-encrusted pocket watch—only then did her composure finally waver.

The starting bid was 1.2 million.

"1.3 million." Victoria raised her paddle.

Bianca turned to look at her, a flash of provocation in her eyes.

She turned to say something to William, then shortly after raised her paddle.

"1.5 million."

This million or two was nothing to everyone else present—they wouldn't even blink.

But for Victoria, it was a fortune.

She frowned slightly and raised her paddle again. "1.6 million."

Bianca: "1.7 million."

"1.8 million."

This was Victoria's limit.

After calling out her bid, Bianca turned to look at Victoria and mouthed: "Mine."

"Victoria, I really love this pocket watch. Can you let me have it?"

Because of Bianca's presence, quite a few reporters had shown up today.

They immediately captured this moment.

There were already rumors online that Victoria had stolen her sister's fiancé and married into wealth.

Now Bianca had to watch her face just to get a pocket watch.

Immediately, whispers started around them.

"Looks like Bianca doesn't have it easy at home."

"Bullying her sister like this in public—who knows how bad it is in private."

...

In an instant, everyone's gaze on Victoria became complicated.

Bianca was very satisfied with this result.

"Seems like you won't give it up, so... I'll let you have it then."

She knew Bianca didn't have that much money.

William's deep eyes fixed steadily on Victoria. No one knew what he was thinking.

The moment Victoria looked up, she happened to see the corner of his mouth curve up.

Seeing her humiliated by Bianca made him that happy?

Victoria felt deeply disappointed in William, and at the same time, her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.

After the auction ended, Victoria followed the hostess to collect the pocket watch.

She really didn't have that much money on her, but she'd borrowed from a friend.

Getting the pocket watch she'd been longing for made Victoria exceptionally happy.

So much so that the next day when her best friend Eleanor Beaumont called with bad news, it didn't affect her mood at all.

"Victoria, do you know you're trending?"

"What?"

Victoria was about to ask for details when suddenly a car came at her from the side.

She turned the steering wheel to avoid it, but unavoidably crashed into a concrete pillar by the roadside.