Ethan paid her no attention.

His gaze softened as it landed on Isabella.

"If you want it, we're getting it."

A surge of warmth flooded Isabella's chest.

Her heart fluttered with gratitude.

He was publicly taking her side.

Zoe's expression darkened instantly.

Her hands clenched into tight fists.

Her nails dug sharply into her own palms.

"Two million one hundred thousand!" she spat through gritted teeth.

Ethan regarded her with icy detachment.

"Two million five hundred thousand."

Zoe gasped, unprepared for his relentless bidding.

She shot a venomous glare at Isabella.

Pure, toxic jealousy burned in her eyes.

What made Isabella so special?

"Two million six hundred thousand!" Zoe shrieked, nearing hysteria.

"Three million," Ethan stated, his tone utterly calm.

A stunned silence fell over the auction hall.

Three million was absurdly over value.

Zoe's face went pale.

She was completely outmatched.

Defeated, she slumped back into her chair.

Ethan secured the win at three million.

The auctioneer's gavel slammed down, finalizing the sale.

Ethan turned to Isabella with a gentle smile.

"Do you like it?"

Tears welled in Isabella's eyes.

She nodded emphatically. "I love it."

Ethan carefully fastened the string of beads around her wrist.

His touch was surprisingly tender.

"It looks perfect on you."

Zoe watched the intimate exchange.

Her jealousy boiled over.

She shoved her chair back with a harsh scrape.

She stood abruptly and stormed out of the banquet hall.

The quiet was shattered by the vibration of Ethan's phone.

He glanced at the caller ID, his brow furrowing.

He leaned close to Isabella, his voice a low murmur.

"I need to take this." He stepped away, answering with a clipped tone.

Isabella watched him go, a knot of unease forming in her stomach.

She gripped the bead string tightly.

Her fingertips turned cold.

"What is it?" Ethan's tone was terse, impatient.

The voice on the other end was rushed, reporting something urgent.

Ethan's face hardened as he listened.

"Understood," he responded coolly. "I'll be there shortly."

He ended the call and turned back to Isabella.

"There's an urgent issue at the company. I have to leave."

Isabella paused for only a moment before nodding.

"It's late. Please be careful," she said, concern lacing her voice.

Ethan looked at her intently, his expression complex.

He lightly ruffled her hair, his voice softening. "Wait for me."

With that, he swiftly exited the hall.

Isabella watched him leave, her emotions in a tangled mess.

Once he was gone, her thoughts returned to the beads.

Eager to uncover their origins and find clues about her mother, she approached a staff member.

"Excuse me, could you tell me who consigned this bead string for auction?"

The staff member was initially indifferent.

His demeanor shifted to one of marked respect when he noticed the beads on her wrist.

They clearly signified her important connection to Ethan Blackwood.