Endless Night, Swaying Hearts

Victoria jerked violently away. "Get away from me!"

But the drunk scion was strong, and it seemed he was about to overpower her. Suddenly, the venue plunged into darkness again. The next sound she heard was a heavy thud as the young man was sent sprawling by a kick.

Then, he was quickly and silently dragged away.

Victoria's heart slammed against her ribs. She recognized the man who had delivered that kick. He was one of Caden's personal bodyguards.

Her gaze flew instinctively to where Caden stood. In the darkness, his expression was unreadable. Only the outline of his figure holding Cassandra was visible.

When the lights returned, his composure was unshaken, as if the entire incident had nothing to do with him.

A wave of shock hit Victoria, followed by a torrent of bitter irony. What was the meaning of that? He was protecting his precious first love one moment, then coming to her rescue the next? Wasn't it laughable? But before she could untangle the thought, the auction commenced.

The first lot presented was the massive collection of Caden's gifts that Victoria had donated, with a starting bid set at one hundred million dollars.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Caden's gaze sharpened instantly. He narrowed his eyes, looking toward Victoria, clearly recognizing the origin of the items. Anyone who knew him could see through that calm facade and recognize it as the telltale sign of his rising anger.

But Victoria met his stare head-on, the corner of her mouth lifting in the faintest, most mocking curve.

As bids began to come in one after another, Cassandra tugged at Caden's sleeve, whispering, "Caden, that blue diamond necklace is exquisite. I love it!"

Caden was silent for a few long seconds. Then, he raised his paddle.

In the end, the entire collection was sold for a staggering one billion dollars, bought by Caden, and promptly presented to the beaming Cassandra beside him.

Victoria watched the exchange with irony. Wasn't this just another form of things returning to their rightful owner?

During the intermission, she went to the restroom to freshen up. As she stepped out, she saw Caden leaning against the corridor wall, a cigarette between his lips. The hazy smoke softened the hard lines of his features but did nothing to hide the heavy, unreadable weight of his gaze fixed on her.

Victoria kept her eyes forward, intending to walk straight past him. But her wrist was seized in a firm grip.

"Why did you auction those things?"

Instead of answering, she looked up and threw another question back at him, her tone biting. "Why did you have your bodyguard step in for me just now?"

Caden's brows furrowed slightly as he began to speak.

But Victoria cut him off, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Let me guess. You're going to say that you only did it because I'm Pam's best friend? Because she asked you to look out for me?"

She took a step closer, tilting her head back to meet his stern gaze, her lips curving into a cold smile. "Do you think she can also get you to look after my love life, Mr. Larkson?"

Caden pinched the bridge of his nose, a flicker of weariness crossing his features. In the end, he said, "Victoria, you're always like a hedgehog, all bristles and spikes. What good does that do you?"

Good? None at all. But if she hadn't learned to protect herself, the Calloway family, and his beloved Cassandra, would have already torn her to pieces and left nothing behind.

She was about to retort when Caden continued, "I was your last man. Your next one can't be worse than me. That trash from earlier isn't worthy of you. If you need a man, I can introduce you to someone suitable."

Victoria stared at him, stunned. Then, she laughed so hard it brought tears to her eyes. Who did he think he was? After driving a blade into the depths of her heart, he now felt entitled to comment on her standards? Was it possessiveness or merely concern that she might tarnish his image?

"Caden," she said, the laughter dying, her gaze ice-cold and shattered. "My life is none of your business, and you have no right to interfere."

Her tone turned deliberately flippant, laced with self-condescending scorn. "As for men? I can have as many as I want. It's not like I'll be around and let you see any of them anyway."

Caden latched onto the phrase, voice dropping dangerously low. "What do you mean you won't be around? Where are you going?"

Victoria said nothing. She wrenched her wrist free and walked away.

When she returned to her seat, all she wanted was to escape the upsetting place as soon as possible. But when the next item was brought out, her gaze froze.

It was a sapphire necklace, classic and elegant in design. It had been Eunice's most cherished possession.

Victoria's head snapped toward Cassandra, meeting her triumphant, gloating gaze. Understanding dawned instantly. Hugh must have secretly given Eunice's things to Cassandra, and Cassandra was now publicly auctioning them off.

Victoria forced herself back into her seat. She had no choice but to calm down and take part in the bidding. She couldn't just stand by and watch Eunice's most treasured possession fall into someone else's hands.

After several intense rounds of bidding, Victoria finally secured the necklace at a price several times its market value.

She let out a breath of relief and was about to go collect it when Cassandra suddenly stood up.

"Wait a moment." Cassandra's voice was gentle, yet laced with unmistakable malice.

"I apologize, sir. I seem to have made a mistake. I don't wish to auction this necklace. It's a personal keepsake of mine. I must have mixed it up by accident."

With that, she collected the necklace, flashed Victoria one last victorious smile, and turned to leave.

Victoria immediately chased after Cassandra and caught up to her on the compound of the club.

"Cassandra! Give me the necklace! I'll pay you any price!" Victoria said urgently.

Cassandra toyed with the chain, her smile turning openly vicious. "I'm not short of money."

She walked over to a man-made lake beside the club, looking at the murky water. Then, turning back to Victoria, she said, "You love beauty, elegance, and your pride the most, don't you? Well, if you want it so much, go get it yourself."

With a casual flick of her wrist, she tossed the necklace into the lake without the slightest hesitation.

Almost without a single thought, amid the astonished looks and gasps of the onlookers, Victoria plunged into the icy water. She groped frantically in the murky depths, the mud staining her expensive gown, ruining her meticulously applied makeup. But she paid no attention to any of that.

And that was the scene that greeted Caden when he stepped outside after finishing a cigarette.