Longing Beneath Blossoms

The moment Wyatt lifted his gaze, Rhea saw a depthless darkness in his eyes.

Perhaps it was because he had always been someone in power. Even after being caught like this, there was not the slightest ripple in his expression.

He calmly slid the photograph beneath the pillow. His long fingers moved unhurriedly as he adjusted the zipper.

In just a few seconds, he had returned to that ascetic, distant composure, as if the man who had lost control moments ago had been nothing more than an illusion.

Rhea could not help letting out a faint, cold laugh. "Putting it away before you are finished. Aren’t you afraid of holding it in? Want me to help you?"

Wyatt’s expression did not change. He leaned back slightly, widening the distance between them. "Miss Vaughn, did you need something?"

He was always like this. He could be stirred beyond restraint by Vera’s photograph, yet when facing her, he looked like a monk untouched by desire.

Rhea’s nails dug into her palm as she recalled Vera’s plain, watery face. Her figure was unremarkable, her looks nothing special, yet everyone still fell for that carefully cultivated innocence.

It did not matter. Rhea had beauty, money, and a body to match. From today onward, she would discard anyone who did not want her without regret.

"There’s an auction tomorrow. You’re coming with me." She turned and walked away after delivering the order in a cool and detached tone.

Wyatt frowned. "I remember taking two days off—"

"I heard Vera will be there too." She did not turn back.

There was a moment of silence behind her, followed by the man’s low reply. "Understood, Miss Vaughn."

Rhea’s heart felt as if a needle had pricked it.

As expected, the moment Vera was mentioned, every principle he had could be broken.

No worries. Soon enough, she would personally send him to Vera’s side.

The next morning, just as Rhea stepped out of the villa, she saw Wyatt already waiting by the car.

The black suit outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist perfectly. The morning light traced a faint golden edge along his cold, sharp profile.

In the past, she would have deliberately teased him at moments like this. She would have pretended to twist an ankle and fall into his arms, or lean close to breathe softly by his ear.

Today, she got into the car expressionlessly, not sparing him even a glance.

Wyatt seemed surprised. He looked at her once more before quickly averting his gaze and sitting silently in the front passenger seat.

The car headed toward The Halcyon Grand, where the auction was to be held. Rhea stared out the window the entire way, no longer finding excuses to talk to him as she used to. The interior was so quiet that they could hear each other breathing.

The Halcyon Grand was the most prestigious hotel in the city center. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the hall like daylight. The air was filled with luxury and perfume, packed with elites and power players.

The moment Rhea entered, she saw Vera standing ahead.

Vera wore a white dress, her long black hair falling straight over her shoulders. She was chatting and laughing with a group of socialites, looking pure and harmless.

Wyatt’s gaze changed instantly. Although he still stood behind Rhea in the role of bodyguard, she could feel that his attention had already been completely drawn away.

"Rhea!" Vera spotted them and immediately trotted over, warmly linking arms with her. "What a coincidence. Are you here for the auction too?"

Rhea pulled her arm away coldly. "Don't touch me."

Vera’s eyes reddened at once. She looked at Wyatt with grievance. "Wyatt, I just wanted to be closer to my sister."

Wyatt’s brows knit together. The look he gave Rhea carried restrained disgust.

Vera seized the moment, tugging lightly at Wyatt’s sleeve. "Wyatt, I heard that when I had a fever last time and wanted fresh croissants, you went out in the middle of a rainstorm to buy them and brought them to the Vaughn house? I was really sick then, but now that I've recovered, I can tell you how grateful I am."

The coldness in Wyatt’s features softened instantly. "Miss Vera, you are too polite. I was passing by."

Passing by?

Rhea sneered inwardly.

He had disappeared for five hours that day and returned soaked from head to toe. That was his idea of passing by?

"Then let me treat you to a meal!" Vera said sweetly.

This time, Wyatt did not refuse. "Whatever you want."

"Then let’s invite Rhea too!" Vera turned to Rhea, then suddenly looked surprised. "Huh? Rhea, why do you look so worn out? I was the one who got sick—"

Rhea cut her off coldly. "We’re not close. Stay in your lane."

Vera’s face changed instantly. Wyatt’s frown deepened further.

At that moment, the auctioneer announced the start of the auction, finally breaking the awkward exchange.

Rhea did not bother engaging further and took her seat directly.

She was about to marry into the Ashfords. Expecting Victor to prepare a dowry for her was unrealistic. She would have to prepare these things herself. That was her true reason for attending this auction.

Once seated, the first item was presented. It was a pigeon-blood ruby necklace. Starting bid: one million.

Rhea raised her paddle without hesitation. "2 million."

To her surprise, Vera raised her own paddle. "3 million."

Rhea looked toward Vera. Vera smiled faintly at her. "Rhea, I like this one too. You won't mind letting me have it, right? After all, Dad seems to give you less allowance."

Rhea laughed coldly.

Less was an understatement. Since her childhood, Victor had given Vera a monthly stipend of $5 million. In contrast, Rhea received $500. If not for the inheritance her mother left behind, she might have starved long ago.

That was no longer the case. She now had $10 billion.

"4 million." Rhea raised her paddle again.

Vera was clearly stunned, yet still gritted her teeth and increased the bid. "4.5 million."

"5 million."

"5.5 million."

After several rounds, Vera’s face grew increasingly ugly. "Rhea, where did you get so much money? Aren’t you afraid you won't be able to pay?"

"10 million!" Rhea doubled the bid outright. She then looked at Vera with a mocking smile. "Why do I feel like you're the one who cannot afford it now?"

Vera’s face alternated between pale and flushed. Whispers began spreading among the surrounding guests.

The auctioneer asked politely, "Miss Vera, would you like to increase the bid?"

"Wait." Vera hurriedly pulled out her phone and messaged Victor.

Moments later, her expression worsened further. She had clearly been refused.

Seeing this, Rhea curved her lips. Of course, he would refuse. After handing over ten billion, where would he find extra money to save face for his precious Vera?

At that awkward moment, a well-dressed man suddenly appeared at the center of the venue and announced loudly, "I'll outbid them all!"