The murmuring in the crowd grew louder. The auctioneer pounded his wooden mallet to try to restore order, but everyone ignored it. Sensing an advantage, Lawson straightened up and looked out at the crowd, puffing his chest out like an actor.

"That's right," he continued. "My niece's father, James Stewart, passed away after a horrible car accident when she was only fifteen. My wife and I took her in, raised her, and gave her everything she could ever want, but this is how she repaid us! She drove us out of our own home, stole my art, and now she's auctioning it off to the highest bidder."

​​

"Drew," Sean barked into his phone. "Put an end to this."

Catherine felt her face flaming, and she slouched low in her chair. The auction guests were now standing, trying to get a look at her. She knew that the incident would be all over the society pages in the morning. People would talk about it for months—maybe even years.

"Who's Drew?" she asked Sean.

He glared at her, "The new Levi."

"Oh," she said.

The commotion grew louder, and she lifted her head enough to see a young man in a black suit rush onto the stage. He whispered a few words to the bodyguards, and they dragged Lawson off the stage. He then leaned in and whispered something to the auctioneer.

"Our apologies," the auctioneer announced, banging his mallet. "I have just been informed that the man who interrupted the auction has just been released from the hospital. He is taking a combination of medications that seem to be making him hallucinate. We apologize for the commotion and now return to the auction."

Catherine let out a huge breath in relief. The story about the medication wouldn't stop people from gossiping about her, but it would help. And she was sure Sean would make sure no paper published any account of the events at the auction. She closed her eyes, suddenly exhausted.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Just embarrassed," she whispered.

"You should be," he said, his voice severe. "You did a very foolish thing."

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

"It's okay," he said, his voice suddenly gentle.

"Are you going to bid on anything else?" she asked.

"No, I'm not interested in anything here tonight," he replied. "Do you want to leave?"

She nodded silently.

"Alright, we can go," he said.

He stood and offered her his arm again. She took it and let him lead her out of the box and down the stairs. As they approached the door, a frazzled man in a tuxedo waved them down.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Blair," he shouted.

She looked at him nervously, "Yes?"

"Since you're leaving, I wanted to confirm the details of your bank account, so the money from the auction can be transferred directly. Minus our commission, of course."

"Oh, right, of course," she said.

She took the clipboard the man offered her and awkwardly filled out the form before signing her name below. She hesitated as she signed, wondering which surname to use. She could feel Sean's eyes over her shoulder and decided to sign Blair instead of Stewart. The letters looked awkward and sloppy, and she quickly returned the form.

"I have a question for you," she said to the man.

"Of course," he replied.

"Is Lawson Stewart still here?"

"Err, yes," the man said.

"Good," she replied. "I want to see him."

Sean sighed, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"It'll just be a moment," Catherine assured him. "And I'll take Drew or a bodyguard with me."

"You'll take me with you," he said.

She stared up at his serious blue eyes and clenched jaw and nodded meekly. If she wanted to see Lawson before they took him away, she had to agree to Sean's conditions. She took a step and then another, lifting her dress to avoid it getting caught under her heels.

"You're wearing high heels?" Sean asked.

She shrugged, "Of course. I wasn't going to wear this gown with flats."

"But your ankle is injured," he said.

"It's fine," she replied.

Suddenly two strong arms scooped her off the ground, and he held her against his chest. She knew better than to argue—it would only waste time.

"You can carry me if you want, but people will stare," she said.

"Let them be," he whispered.

She sighed. He was so unpredictable. When it came to the drama with the Stewarts, he was furious that she was the center of attention. Yet, he didn't mind carrying her bridal style through a room full of socialites and nobility. He carried her to a room backstage, passing cartloads of antiques, paintings, and jewels. He ducked under a low door, and they entered a dim, concrete room.

In the middle of the room, Lawson sat in a chair. His bowtie hung loosely around his neck, and his face still shone with sweat. His head hung forward, and his eyes were closed—he looked exhausted. Both Melanie and Madison argued and pleaded with the security guards, begging them to release him.

"Ma'am, as we've said before, he's not going anywhere until the auction is over," a guard said. "Now, please be quiet, or we're going to have to escort you off the premises."

Everyone fell silent when Sean and Catherine appeared. Catherine felt herself blush as they all looked at her in his arms. She hoped he wouldn't hold her the whole time. Slowly, he released her to the ground, putting a hand around her waist to support her as she stood.

"Well, it took you long enough, Cathy," Melanie sniffed. "Tell these men to let your uncle go. He's clearly not well."

Madison clutched at Sean's arm and gasped for breath. Her breasts heaved over the top of her gown, looking like they might burst free at any moment.

"Please, Sean," she murmured. "Help us. You're the only one who can talk sense into these horrible men."

Sean shook her off with annoyance and strode forward. Catherine smiled with satisfaction to see him reject Madison. He wrapped his arm around her waist and waited patiently for her to say something.

"Well, Uncle, are you happy now?" she asked.

Lawson glared up at her, but he didn't dare say a word in front of Sean. His beady eyes flickered with hatred, and a vein throbbed in his temple.

"I hope you've learned not to drag my name through the mud," she said slowly. "I won't be so forgiving next time."