Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 275

Wave after wave of junk was being auctioned off, and he couldn’t stand to watch any longer. He issued a curt command: “Tell them to stop following. Enough.”

No matter how much money you had, no one wanted to be a sucker for this kind of scam.

With a gentle touch, he poured a glass of warm water for Joanna, who sat quietly in their booth. “Joanna, don’t be afraid. Even if everyone else disappears, I’ll always stay by your side.”

Joanna’s eyes were still rimmed in red from crying, but she wrapped her hands around the cup Lance gave her, comforted by his kindness.

“Lance, you’re the only one in this world who’s ever truly cared about me. I remember every good thing you’ve done. I can’t even imagine how terrible life would be if I lost you.”

Lance felt a rush of warmth in his chest. “You don’t need to worry, Joanna. Whatever you want, I’ll help you get it.”

Her eyes lit up with hope. “Then… could I have that pen on the next lot? Celly loves to draw. If we give her that pen, maybe she’ll actually forgive me.”

Lance brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “Joanna, you’re too kind for your own good.”

Even after crying, the traces of her makeup smudged, Joanna’s beauty was undeniable—every feature refined to perfection. If only he had been the one to help her change her face all those years ago. At least then, those idiots wouldn’t have left evidence behind or turned it into a game.

She gave him a playful, sheepish grin. “Oh, I’m nothing compared to you, Lance.”

Finally, the pen Celestine had been longing for was brought to the stage. The starting bid was one hundred thousand.

She glanced around the room. Not a single paddle was raised.

But in a crowd where most starting bids soared into the millions, a mere hundred thousand was child’s play. For her, though, this was a stroke of luck.

Celestine’s gaze fixed on the pen displayed on the podium—she was certain it was the one her grandfather had given her.

She raised her paddle. “One hundred and ten thousand.”

The auctioneer, who had been ready to declare the lot unsold, brightened instantly.

Just as the third gavel was about to fall, a new bid came from the neighboring booth.

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