"Young master Farrell is a fine young man."

"Indeed. If he were single, I would marry him to my daughter."

"Such a waste."

I beamed my sweetest at Nicholas. "Two hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Farrell. Don't forget the painting."

Nicholas's eyelid twitched before he forced a smile. "Done then."

"I hope you won't go back on your words. You clearly saw what happened if someone tried to cross me," I threatened.

Nicholas smiled, and the whole room returned to its former jolly atmosphere. Another replaced the auctioneer as the latter fainted from too much stimulation.

After two more paintings sold, the auction finally ended. People gathered around Arnold and Emma Collin along with Holley and Nixon.

I took the opportunity and sneaked my way into the restroom. But before I did, Zoe grabbed my hand.

"Thank you for buying my painting," she said, face a little flush. She stared at me with an intensity that I didn't saw before.

"Did you invite me to this auction because you know this is going to happen?" I asked.

Zoe didn't immediately reply as she stared into my eyes before she bit her lip and nodded her pretty head.

She sighed, releasing my arm. "You probably already notice that I'm not accepted in my family nor in high society. My mother died, and my father remarried. Sophia is my stepsister, not by blood. When my father remarried, Emma already had Sophia from her first husband. It was supposed to be Sophia's charity event, but she dragged me into it. Wanting me to be the laughing stock in front of these people. I can't let that happen, so I was glad that someone took notice of my painting. A potential buyer."

My eyebrow rose. "And exactly why are you telling me this?"

"Because . . . I wanted you to know why I did it. I'm sorry I pulled you into this. You got humiliated together with me instead."

"Do I look like I was humiliated to you?"

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She smiled. "No . . ." She then lowered her head and, whispered, "I wish I can be as carefree as you . . ."

There was silence for a moment before my voice cleaved through. "You know, you smile a lot, talk a lot, yet you never seem to be having any real fun. You can't prevent people from gossiping about you, so might as well give them something to gossip about, right? Just like your paintings, be wild and rebellious. Embrace your craziness and live each day like it's your last."

I winked at her and scurried into the restroom.

----

When I reached the restroom, my forehead creased to find it was crowded.

I recalled there was another toilet upstairs when I checked the fire exit layout of the building.

Couldn't hold the forces of nature, I raced to my feet up the stairs and released an audible sigh when there was no one in the restroom.

After done doing my business, I descended the stairs when something caught my attention that broke my stride. A reflection of two people, kissing and hugging inside the men's toilet as they scrambled to open the cubicle door and shut themselves inside.

I blinked. All the blood hurried to my head as my nose fumed with anger.