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Start Over Without You Novel Cover

Start Over Without You

Margaret Chapman lived a fairy tale in Sparrowville, adored by billionaire Gavin Hartley. However, her world shatters upon discovering Gavin has hidden his mentally ill childhood sweetheart in a villa for a decade. Realizing she was only a substitute for a woman who claimed her identity, Margaret flees the country to escape the facade. As she attempts to start over, a devastated Gavin descends into a terrifying rage, desperately searching for the woman he used.
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Chapter 6

The auction hall was packed, the air thick with excitement.

As soon as Margaret sat down, someone approached her with a smile. "Ms. Chapman, I heard you're selling the Blue Diamond."

Margaret gave a faint smile, but before she could respond, the conversation had already shifted. "I'm set on getting the Blue Diamond today! It symbolizes Mr. Hartley's perfect love for Ms. Chapman. If I win it, maybe I'll find a man as amazing as him."

"You'd better not try to outbid me! The Blue Diamond has to be mine today!"

Margaret sat quietly in the corner, her gaze down while she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone.

On the screen, the latest surveillance footage appeared—Margaret had installed the cameras during her first visit to Marjorie's villa. From then on, she had kept a close eye on Marjorie, watching every move she made.

One by one, the auction items were presented, and when the Blue Diamond appeared, the room erupted in chaos.

"One million!"

"Three million!"

"Five million!"

The bids kept climbing, but Margaret remained calm while holding her earbud, the sounds from the video feed streaming directly into her ears.

"Just bid ten million." Gavin's voice came through clearly.

On the screen, she saw Gavin talking to his assistant.

"The Blue Diamond has to come back to me," he said, lighting a cigarette. The blue flame flickered in the dim light.

At that exact moment, the auctioneer called out from the event, "Ten million!"

The room went silent, stunned by the sudden jump in price.

"Who's bidding that high?"

"You don't know? I asked around. They said someone is bidding this Blue Diamond on behalf of his boss. Apparently, he's planning to give it to his wife."

"I heard they've been together for almost ten years now, but they're still acting like they're in the honeymoon phase."

"Wow, there's another great guy in the world... Why can't he be mine?"

"Ten million, sold!"

The hammer came down, and the Blue Diamond was once again in Gavin's hands.

In her earpiece, Margaret heard his low voice, calm and firm. "Bring it back."

Two hours later, Margaret, curled up in the corner of the auction hall, watched the footage on her phone. She saw a man from the auction driving the Blue Diamond back to Gavin.

Gavin took it carefully and placed it gently in Marjorie's hand.

The moment Marjorie saw the Blue Diamond, she screamed; "It's hers! This is Maggie's! Don't give it to me. I don't want it! This belongs to Maggie. Only she can wear it!

"You're Maggie's too! Why won't you marry her? You don't love her anymore, do you?"

With a swift gesture, Marjorie tossed the Blue Diamond. It slammed against the wall with a sharp crack, shattering into pieces.

To Gavin, ten million meant nothing.

He held Marjorie, his eyes red with unshed tears. "But you're my Maggie," he whispered, his voice thick with regret. "You're the one I want…"

He sighed, his breath heavy with frustration.

With a sharp motion, Margaret hurled her phone across the room.

The staff nearby jumped, startled, and quickly approached. "Ms. Chapman, is everything alright?"

Margaret shook her head lightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"No problem at all." The staff member smiled, trying to ease the tension. "Congratulations, Ms. Chapman. You're getting married to Mr. Hartley in just three days."

Margaret froze, her heart sinking. "What do you mean?"

The staff member paused for a moment before raising her phone, grinning.

"It was just announced by Hartley Group. Your wedding with Mr. Hartley is set for three days from now. No need to keep it a secret anymore."

Margaret's face went pale, her expression stiff as if she had been struck by ice.

How absurd—she didn't even know she was getting married in three days.

All because Marjorie had asked, "Why won't you marry her?"