Chapter 23

Alexander didn't say a word and simply pulled Joyce back into her seat.

The crowd,expecting more drama, let out a unified sigh of disappointment.

In the end, Daniela secured the jade tiger for a whopping $19 million and handed it over to Lillian as a gift.

Lillian, her face alight with glee, shot a smug look at Joyce,whose face was twisted with barely concealed fury. She then said in a loud voice, "Thanks,Daniela!"

Joyce was so enraged that veins popped from her forehead,her anger barely contained.

Daniela had once been nothing but a lovesick fool.Alexander had never wanted her. And now,just because she'd become a high-powered CEO,she thought she could act superior?

As the auction wrapped up, Daniela lingered to chat with the event organizer.

Taking advantage of the situation, Joyce quickly lifted her phone and took a picture of Daniela. Turning to Alexander, she said, "Alexander, look at her! Daniela has no shame. First, she was flirting with Cedric, and now she's all over the organizer, who's old enough to be her father. She's making a fool of the Harper family. And don't forget-she was your wife. Just think about the damage she's doing to your reputation."

Of course, Joyce had angled the photo just right to make it look much worse than it was.

In reality, Daniela was just having a friendly chat.

As she spoke, Joyce quickly posted the photo in the Harper family group chat.

"Dad, take a look at Daniela! The organizer is practically her father's age! How shameless is she? I don't care about her reputation, but mine is at stake.I've never been so humiliated. How am I supposed to show my face in public now?"

As she had hoped, her dramatics hit their mark.

Caiden's anger flared up, and he smashed another of his precious porcelain cups.

After sending the message, Joyce looked over at Alexander.

His expression was as stoic as ever, unreadable.Joyce couldn't tell if he was angry or just indifferent. "Alexander, let's go," she said in a sugary tone, though her eyes quickly followed Daniela, who was walking to the restroom.

Just then a sneaky idea flashed through her mind.After a brief pause, she added, "Actually, Alexander,would you mind coming with me to the resroom?I'm not feeling well."

In the restroom, Daniela was in the middle of freshening up her makeup when Joyce entered.

"Well,well, Daniela. What a coincidence!"

Without even sparing her a glance, Daniela continued applying powder to her face, her voice calm and detached. "You came in here on purpose. No need to play games, my dear sister."

The last three words sliced through the air, sharp and piercing.

Daniela had no time for Joyce's dramatics-it made her stomach churn.

"Alright, yes, I followed you. But what's so special about you,Daniela? So what if you've got money now?"

Daniela stopped for a moment, a subtle smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She turned to Joyce,her voice calm as she corrected her. "It's not just some money. It's a lot of money. And it's the kind of money you'd never be able to earn in ten lifetimes. So go ahead and let yourself be jealous."

Joyce's fury nearly made her choke."You-"

"What about me?" Daniela cut in, her voice cold,her eyes sharp. "You still think I'm that same easy target?Well, here's a tip-don't push me, or I'll have you out of the Harper family faster than you can blink!"

Joyce's eyes filled with tears as she pointed at Daniela."How could you! Dad says I'm his daughter! You can't just kick me out! Daniela, you hate me, don't you?You're just jealous because Alexander likes me. But I'm your sister. Why would I hurt you?" ①

As she spoke, she staggered back, almost as if shoved,crashing dramatically against the restroom door.

Outside, Alexander stood leaning against the wall,a cigarette between his fingers. He observed as Joyce stumbled out of the restroom, her body collapsing onto the floor in a heap.

Joyce tilted her head back, her teary eyes wide with false innocence. She knew Alexander could see her like this, looking as pitiful as possible.

She looked up at Daniela, her voice thick with complaint. "Daniela, why are you doing this to me? I know you like Alexander, but he's my true love, too!Am I not allowed to love someone? Fine, it's all my fault. I'll kneel and beg if that's what you want!" Her voice cracked, and her body shook as if she might collapse at any second.

Daniela watched Joyce's over-the-top performance with a calm, almost entertained look on her face.

Her eyes briefly moved to the doorway, where Alexander stood silently watching.

Daniela chuckled and crossed her arms. "Go on,kneel."

Joyce froze in place, her cries suddenly trailing off.She was thrown off, unsure of how to react to Daniela's unexpected response. "What?" she stammered, staring at Daniela in shock.

Daniela tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp. "You said you'd kneel, didn't you? So go ahead, kneel.What's the hold-up? Can't follow through? Was all that talk just for show?"

Joyce's face turned red with embarrassment, her confidence slipping away.

Alexander started to speak, but before he could say anything, Daniela's cold stare landed on him. "She said she'd kneel. You heard her, didn't you? I didn't make her say it."

Her voice was steady and unwavering. It was nothing like the gentle tone she used to have. "This is a private matter between Joyce and me. You've crossed the line, Mr. Bennett."