Unknown Divorce Revelation Beyond Time (Charlene and Thorne)

Meanwhile

Vesta handed a crisp envelope to her mother. "Here's the invitation you wanted."

“Perfect. Thank Thorne for me, would you?" Maureen replied, sliding the invitation into her purse. She paused, glancing up. "Are you coming with us to the auction tomorrow, or is Thorne picking you up?"

Vesta shook her head. "Neither of us will be going tomorrow."

Maureen's hand stilled over the zipper. "Alright," she said simply.

***

Auction night arrived, and Charlene made her way to the grand auction house with her aunt, Maisie.

As they checked in, Charlene spotted Maureen and Laverne just ahead in the line. The recognition was mutual-Maureen's expression barely shifted, but there was a faint furrow between her brows.

This evening's auction featured pieces so rare and valuable that only the world's wealthiest and most influential had managed to secure invitations. Most prominent families wouldn't even stand a chance.

If it hadn't been for Thorne, Maureen wouldn't have gotten her invitation either. But Charlene—well, given Stewart's current prominence and his close connection

to Charlene, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to help her obtain one.

With that thought, Maureen and Laverne averted their gazes and continued inside.

Thanks to Thorne, Maureen and Laverne had seats close to the front-right next to where Charlene and Maisie were directed.

Charlene and Maisie had barely settled in when Moran entered the hall. He did a double take upon spotting Charlene, and then noticed she was seated beside Maureen. His eyes widened. What kind of high-stakes showdown was this?

Flustered, he found his own seat alongside his date, then hurriedly texted Thorne: fight next to your future

Charlene's at the diamond auction too-and she's sit mother-in-law!

Thorne's reply was prompt.

Oh.

And that was it.

Apparently, he couldn't care less.

Moran stared at the screen, speechless. He glanced over at Charlene and Maureen's group again; Charlene noticed him this time, but her face remained impassive as she looked away.

Maureen, on the other hand, offered Moran a polite smile. "Good evening, Mr. Albright."

He gave her a sheepish grin. "Ma'am..."

After the brief exchange, Moran quickly took his seat.

A few moments later, Dalton Ramirez arrived. His seat happened to be right next

to Maisie's, so he immediately noticed Charlene and Maureen as well.

Dalton didn't bother greeting Charlene, and she returned the favor, pretending not

to see him. Still, like Moran, Dalton nodded politely to Maureen, who responded with a gracious nod.noveldrama

Soon after, the auction began.

Apart from the evening's star

attraction a legendary

diamond there were a handful of

other items, each with a starting price in the millions. Charlene Kad no interest in the rest; she was here for the diamond, and the diamond alone. She sat out the bidding on everything else, as did Maureen.

Finally, the most anticipated moment of the night arrived.

As the diamond was unveiled, a wave of awe swept through the room-gasps and murmurs rippled across the crowd. Even Charlene who didn't consider herself much of a diamond enthusiast, couldn't help but be stunned by the stone's extraordinary beauty and brilliance.

Maureen, for her part, had seen and owned countless pieces of world-class jewelry over the years But this this was on a different level. She was, for once, rendered speechless, utterly captivated by the gem on display. From the moment it appeared, she could hardly tear her eyes away.

As the crowd buzzed, the auctioneer announced the starting bid.

Forty million.

The words had barely left his mouth before bidding paddles shot up all over the room. Charlene was among the first.

Seated right beside her, Maureen noticed Charlene's raised paddle. She'd assumed Charlene, like herself, was here simply to witness a once-in-a-lifetime gem—after all, even if you couldn't afford it, seeing such a treasure up close was an event in itself.

But then-

Maureen's eyes flickered in surprise as she watched Charlene lift her paddle, her attention snapping away from the diamond.

Charlene spoke up, her voice clear and steady, "Fifty million."