Chapter 120
Rebekah’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the auction paddle.
Candice’s words were a curse that had taken root inside her, sprouting like a poisonous weed. She didn’t feel she owed Candice anything, but the memory of her grandmother being scolded by the Fletchers for showing her favor refused to fade.
For a moment, she was lost.
She couldn’t hold on to her memories with the Fletcher family, she couldn’t hold
on to her grandmother, and now, she couldn’t even hold on to her grandmother’s art.
“One million, going once. One million, going twice. One million p>
Just as the auctioneer’s gavel was about to fall, Jensen raised his paddle.
“Two million p>
He then changed his grip, extending his index and middle fingers in a gesture directed at the entire room. “Any other bids p>
It was a power play, a signal everyone in the high-stakes auction circuit understood. People who had previously shown no interest in the painting were suddenly intrigued by Jensen. The auction was a sizable event, filled with people of considerable means, and for someone to make such a bold move, they had to be more than just an ordinary employee.
Many eyes were now on Jensen, sizing him up, but no one recognized him.
Rebekah looked at him in shock. “What are you doing p>
When she’d mentioned wanting the painting earlier, Jensen had said nothing, which meant his boss hadn’t instructed him to bid on it. Was he suddenly bidding for her?
“Jensen, I don’t need this,” she whispered urgently. “Don’t do something foolish.” Using his boss’s money for a personal matter could get him fired.
Jensen just smiled at her. “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing p>
“Two million! Sold p>
With a gesture like that, the auctioneer knew the painting was as good as Jensen’s and brought the gavel down with a decisive crack.
Sitting behind them, Sienna’s face was a mask of fury. Jensen had obviously bought it for Rebekah. That woman had no shame! A husband at home and a handsome boy toy on the side.
And he had to be *that* good-looking? She didn’t deserve it!
Candice, meanwhile, watched Jensen with a look. For the first time, she suspected he was more than just a simple working man.
After the auction, Jensen presented the painting to Rebekah.
She didn’t take it, her brow furrowed. “You should take this back to your boss. You need something to show, for the money you spent.” She didn’t want him to lose his job over this.
Jensen smiled and pushed the painting into her arms. “Relax. It wasn’t my boss’s money. It was mine p>
Rebekah was stunned. “Where did you get that kind of money?” Two million was no small sum. He’d only been working for a few years; how could he have saved that much?
“I earned it, of course. I’ve managed to put a little away after all these years p>
Rebekah’s frown deepened as she studied him, her gaze analytical. Jensen met her look with a playful smile, his charming eyes upturned at the corners, a hint of pride in them.
Finally, Rebekah relented. She
hugged the painting and pulled an et
bank card from her purse. “There’s a
million in fil
here figure out a way to
pay you back the rest, with interest
The smile vanished from Jensen’s lips. He was deeply annoyed that she was keeping such a strict account with him, but he knew he wasn’t in a position to object.
He didn’t take the card. “Aren’t you planning to open a studio? If you’re calculating interest, just add this to the tab. You can pay me back when you’re making money. Or consider it an investment and Boss Fletcher can pay me dividends later.
Clutching the card, Rebekah couldn’t help but worry. “But will you have enough left for yourself p>
Jensen couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.