The grand hall of the Donovan Auction House shimmered with opulence. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over a sea of designer suits and couture dresses, their wearers sipping champagne and murmuring in hushed tones as they waited for the evening's event to begin. Malia stood near the back of the room, a flute of champagne in hand, her posture exuding effortless confidence.
Her deep emerald gown hugged her figure perfectly, the slit high enough to turn heads but tasteful enough to remind everyone she was no one's accessory. Tonight, she was here as a collector, not a socialite.
The auction catalog lay tucked under her arm, but her focus was sharp, her eyes scanning the crowd for a particular item on her list—a rare art deco bracelet rumored to have once belonged to a Hollywood starlet. She'd fallen in love with its intricate design the moment she saw the preview.
