Skip to content
Novel Catalog
The weekend had finally arrived, and with it, the atmosphere at the Savrow Platinum Auction House was buzzing.
Reporters were gathered outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of anyone important, but they were kept at bay.
The auction house was strictly private, only allowing those who could afford the extravagance to enter.
The attendees weren’t interested in media exposure or interviews.
Instead, they were focused on the treasures on display, eager to bid and collect valuable items.
However, there were exceptions: Shannon, Jean, and Rosalind.
Every year, Shannon would arrive in her finest dress and jewelry, drawing attention from the media as she blocked the entrance.
It was a tactic she’d used for years—trying to maintain a semblance of celebrity status, despite the fact that she was no longer the sought-after actress she once was.
She wanted to remind everyone of her past glory, even if it came at the cost of embarrassment.
This year, however, Shannon wasn’t playing her usual game.
Jean had begged her to step aside and let Rosalind and herself take the spotlight, and despite her reluctance, Shannon had complied.
This year, the “ushers” at the entrance were none other than Rosalind and Jean.
Jean, putting on her best face, spoke confidently to the reporters, maintaining the image of a wealthy, composed woman.
“We’re attending the auction to support charity and hopefully acquire some excellent collectibles,” she said with ease.
But the reporters weren’t satisfied with just pleasantries.
One of them quickly pressed Jean with a question, “Mrs.
Gold, what’s the current financial situation of Gold Corporation? I heard it’s on the brink of bankruptcy.
”
The question hit hard, and Jean’s smile faltered, but she kept her composure.
“As you know, we’re in a delicate situation.
But we remain hopeful, and we’re working hard to resolve it.
”
Another reporter didn’t hold back.
“And Mr.
Gold’s investigation—has it concluded? Is he facing jail time?”
Jean’s gaze darkened at the mention of her husband’s troubles, but she answered with poise, “I can’t speak on that right now, but rest assured, everything will be taken care of.
”
Then came the most sensitive question yet.
“There’s talk about a shift in sentiment between your daughter and the CEO of Salvador Corporation.
Is this true?”
Rosalind’s heart skipped a beat at the question.
She stepped forward, her grip tightening on the hem of her dress, her face flushed with frustration.
“What do you mean by that?” she snapped, her voice rising.
The reporter tried to stay calm.
“It’s just a casual question, Ms.
Gold.
With everything happening with Gold Corporation, and Mr.
Salvador’s lack of support, it’s only natural for people to speculate.
”
“I haven’t broken up with Justin!” Rosalind’s voice grew more frantic, her anxiety surfacing in her tone.
“Don’t spread rumors!”
Jean quickly stepped in, pulling her daughter back.
She turned to the reporters with a practiced smile.
“My daughter and Mr.
Salvador’s relationship is stable.
There’s no cause for concern.
As for the situation with Gold Corporation, that’s a business matter, and we’re handling it privately.
”
But the reporters weren’t done yet.
“Mr.
Salvador is here today as well.
Why didn’t you attend with him, Ms.
Gold?” one of them asked.
“Is there something you’re trying to hide?”
Rosalind froze.
She hadn’t expected this line of questioning.
Jean, trying to save face, quickly spoke up.
“Oh, there’s no reason for that.
If he were here, he’d be with us, of course.
”
The reporter, however, wasn’t so easily deterred.
“But we saw Mr.
Salvador enter the venue earlier, well before you arrived.
It seems odd that you two haven’t been photographed together.
”
The room fell silent, and Jean’s smile slipped, her expression tightening with unease.
Rosalind, too, felt a wave of dread wash over her.
She knew that the whispers of a rift between her and Justin were only going to grow louder now.
Meanwhile, Justin, accompanied by his assistant Ian, had already made his entrance into the venue.
As he walked through the crowd, he caught sight of Rosalind and Jean, but his expression remained indifferent.
He wasn’t interested in their drama, and he certainly wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of a public display of affection.
“Justin!” Ryan, ever the playful friend, rushed over and greeted him with a wide grin.
He slipped his arm around Justin’s waist in a mockingly affectionate manner.
“Tsk, someone’s been working out!”
Justin shot him a glare, not amused.
“Watch it, Ryan,” he muttered, clearly irritated.
“Oh, come on!” Ryan laughed, unphased.
“I’m just having a little fun.
You’re so serious these days.
Remember when we used to be closer?”
Justin’s frown deepened, and he shrugged off Ryan’s arm.
“Let’s just focus on why we’re here,” he said flatly, clearly eager to avoid any unnecessary interactions.
Ryan raised an eyebrow, sensing that Justin was more than just indifferent to the Gold family’s attention.
“You’re avoiding them, aren’t you?”
“I’m not avoiding anyone,” Justin replied coolly, though his eyes betrayed a hint of frustration.
“I just don’t want to be dragged into their mess.
”
Ryan chuckled and shook his head.
“I get it, but you can’t keep running from this forever.
”
Meanwhile, Rosalind’s eyes never left Justin as he made his way deeper into the venue.
Her heart sank as he deliberately kept his distance, his coldness cutting through the air between them.
She had tried so hard to keep their relationship intact, to make Justin a part of her plans, but now it felt like he was slipping away from her grasp.
“Mom, why isn’t he here?” Rosalind muttered under her breath, her frustration mounting.
Jean, sensing her daughter’s distress, quickly put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, darling.
He’ll come around.
Just keep your head high and stay focused.
We can still turn this around.
”
But even as Jean spoke, Rosalind couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that things were no longer as simple as they once were.
With Justin’s absence, the rumors would only grow, and soon, they might not be able to control the narrative anymore.
As the night dragged on, Rosalind’s unease only grew.
Every time she looked toward Justin, he seemed further away, as if he were deliberately distancing himself from her—and the Gold family’s troubles.
The reporters, too, were relentless, and each question felt like another crack in the carefully crafted image she had worked so hard to maintain.
It was becoming clear: everything was starting to slip out of her control.
