Chapter 385

Chapter 385:

Sadie absently flipped through the auction catalog, her mind elsewhere—until her fingers froze mid-turn.

Staring back at her from the glossy page was an image of a vintage string of beads—intricately carved, uniquely designed.

A piece unlike any other.

Her pulse quickened.

A sharp tremor ran through her fingertips as she traced the photo in disbelief. It had belonged to her mother. The very string of beads that had disappeared with her all those years ago.

Sadie had scoured everywhere, searched endlessly—but the string had vanished without a trace. She had long abandoned the hope of ever seeing it again.

And yet, here it was. On display. For sale.

Her chest tightened, a flood of emotions crashing over her—shock, disbelief, and an ache so deep it nearly stole her breath.

Noah, ever observant, noticed the shift in her demeanor. “What’s wrong?”

Sadie inhaled sharply, forcing herself to steady her racing heart. She pointed to the image, her voice barely above a whisper and trembling with restrained emotion. “This string of beads… It belonged to my mother.”

Noah’s expression darkened slightly as he followed her gaze to the catalog. His brow furrowed. “Are you certain?”

“Without a doubt. My mother carved this herself. I would never mistake it.”

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The auctioneer’s voice rang out across the hall, smooth and commanding.

“Starting bid, 500 thousand.”

Sadie barely hesitated. “One million.”

A collective murmur spread through the room, surprised gasps punctuating the air.

One million—for a simple string of beads? It wasn’t an antique, nor a piece of fine jewelry. And yet, Sadie had doubled the starting bid in an instant. Because for her, this was more than just an auction item.

It was a clue to the mother she had spent years searching for.

But just as the auctioneer was about to speak, a slow, saccharine voice chimed in. “One million one hundred thousand.”

Sadie’s gaze snapped toward the voice. Vivi?

Amusement flickered in Vivi’s eyes, her red lips curving into a knowing smirk. “Sadie, it seems you are also quite interested in this item.”

Sadie met her gaze head-on, her expression unshaken. “This string of beads holds great significance for me.”

Vivi let out a quiet chuckle, tilting her head. “Oh? What a coincidence.” She tapped her paddle lightly against her fingertips. “I’ve suddenly decided I must have it as well.”

“One million five hundred thousand.” Sadie’s grip tightened around her paddle.

But Vivi arched an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. “One million six hundred thousand.”

“One million seven hundred thousand.” Sadie’s voice quavered slightly.

“One million eight hundred thousand,” Vivi countered with a sneer of disdain. As Sadie inhaled, preparing to bid again, a large hand pressed her paddle down.

Turning, she met Noah’s intense gaze.

“Two million,” he stated calmly, his voice resonating with authority.

A murmur of astonishment rippled through the room.

Two million for a string of beads of dubious authenticity was nothing short of madness.

Vivi’s face twisted with surprise; she hadn’t anticipated Noah’s involvement.

“Mr. Wall, what is the meaning of this?” she demanded.

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