Maeve Brooklyn stood poised, her slender fingers grasping the auction catalogue. The soft glow of the crystal chandelier above illuminated the sharp lines of her jaw and the fiery spark in her emerald eyes.
The tension between Maeve and her parents had been simmering for months after her birthday dinner. It was fueled by their constant criticism and disapproval. Their strict expectations had created a suffocating environment, where Maeve felt like she could never measure up to her own sister.
"Maeve, don't forget Cecilia's engagement dinner is tonight," her mother reminded, her tone sharp.
Maeve's gaze drifted, her eyes scanning the crowded auction room. The air was thick with the scent of wealth and sophistication- polished wood, expensive perfume, and the subtle tang of champagne.
"You have to prepare ahead so you can escort your sister to go for her dress-fitting," her mother had said earlier. "She needs your assistance now more than ever."
"That wouldn't be possible. I don't need to look anything less than perfect tonight," Maeve retorts, offended her mother would even think to suggest such a thing.
She couldn't care less how the dinner went; however, it was an opportunity to spite Cecilia on her own engagement night.
As Maeve browsed the auction listings, a necklace caught her eye — the infamous 'Starlight Serenade' Emily had raved about.
Excitement flickered within her, momentarily displacing her frustrated thoughts. This was the reason she had come to the auction house. Her mind wandered to the engagement dinner. She envisioned herself dazzling, outshining her sister.
The auctioneer's voice cut through her reverie. "Number 214, going once..."
Maeve raised her paddle, her eyes locked onto the infamous necklace. It was as good as hers.
Her eyes scanned the crowded room once more, and her gaze suddenly locked onto a familiar figure across the room - Christian Wescott-Donahue, her infamous uncle. Shock and unease rippled through her.
What was he doing here she thought? She thought.
She couldn't see him clearly, but she could never mistake him in the crowd. He stood in his VIP booth, his piercing blue eyes focused on the auction.
Maeve's breath caught in her throat. Her mind reeled with memories of the complicated past. For a moment, she forgot about the auction, her sister's engagement dinner and everything else. A surge of emotions flooded her- shock, anger, and betrayal.
Just as Maeve's composure begins to slip, a voice cuts through the room. "Number 214, going once... $100,000," a bidder had challenged her. Determination and competitive fire ignited within Maeve.
Maeve's gaze never left Christians as she swiftly regained composure. Her competitive nature kicked in.
With a calculated smile, Maeve raised her paddle. "$1 million," she declared. The room fell silent. It was then Christian had turned a curious gaze to the one who made the bid, catching Maeve's gaze.
The air was charged with unspoken tension, their past conflicts hanging precariously in the balance. After securing the necklace, Maeve felt reluctant to leave. That was until she noticed Christian taking his leave from his booth.
Without a second, she hastened to leave with her escort, one of her father's bodyguards.
Not because she wanted to speak with him, but because she failed to give him a piece of her mind, the last time they had spoken.
As Maeve stepped out of the auction house, the cool evening air enveloped her, a welcome respite from the tension-filled atmosphere inside. Her escort, James, her father's trusted bodyguard, fell into step beside her.
"Miss Maeve, shall I bring the car around?" he asked. Maeve nodded, her eyes scanning the crowded sidewalk. That's when she saw him- Christian Wescott-Donahue, standing by the valet, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. Instead of acknowledging their gaze, which had met, he turned away as though he had not seen her.
Did he just ignore me once again? She thought.
Maeve stormed toward Christian, her eyes blazing like emeralds in the evening light. Her heels clicked on the pavement, echoing her fury. "You bastard of a man," she cussed at him, swinging her bag at his face. The impact was jaw-dropping. Despite that, Christian was calm and unresponsive to her actions.
"Maeve," he said, his voice dripping with indifference. " I'm busy."
Maeve's face twisted in rage, her cheeks flushing. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Her anger was combustible, igniting her very being. "How dare you!" she spat, her voice low and venomous.
Christian raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking over her. "Really, Maeve? Dramatic doesn't suit you." Maeve's face contorted, rage simmering.
"You're the one who's always playing games, Christian. But I won't be ignored."
Just as Maeve's fury was about to boil over, a vision in red - a dazzling, seductive ginger head - glided up to Christian.
"Darling," she purred. The woman linked her arm with Christian's, her gaze sweeping over Maeve with disdain. "Christian, Who is this... child?" she asked, her brown eyes sweeping Maeve from head to toe. Maeve bristled.
Maeve's eyes narrowed, her anger boiling. "Watch it... Bit**," Maeve snapped. causing the ginger head to chuckle like she had made some light joke with her. Christian intervened, seeing as Maeve had advanced at her. His voice was calm.
"Meet Analiese Carroway," he said to Maeve with a warning stare, "And meet my... niece, Maeve Brooklyn Donahue."
"Charmed to meet you," Analiese said with a sly grin. "We grown-ups have a business to attend to, darling. So, back off."
Maeve sneered, her lips curling. "You think you can tell me what to do?" Maeve taunted.
Analiese's smile dripped venom, her full lips curling as well. "I can do more than that." She said.
James, Maeve's escort, stepped forward, his expression concerned and alert. "The car is ready to leave," he announced beside her.
Maeve's anger was simmering, and her chest heaving. "This isn't over," Maeve vowed. As she stormed off, Analiese called out. "Do try to keep up, dear," Maeve's humiliation burned.
Maeve arrived at Cecilia's engagement dinner, her anger still simmering. The grand ballroom was filled with guests, the sound of champagne glasses clinking and polite laughter echoing. Cecilia, resplendent in a purple gown, beamed beside her audience, responding to their questions with a flattering smile.
Maeve's entrance drew the attention of the guest. Her glittering white lace gown captivated the admiring gazes. Maeve smiled, her gaze latching on to Cecilia's disdainful ones.