Chapter 2

Inside the Connaughton Family's old mansion.

"Why hasn't that little brat come back to kneel yet?"

I shuffled over to Old Mr. Connaughton, squatting down to massage his legs and calm him.

"Grandpa, Eylon is probably dealing with those wildflowers outside."

"Grandpa, don't get upset."

The dragon-headed cane struck the floor forcefully. After a moment of contemplation, Grandpa called me to sit by his side.

"Taryn, an old friend of mine is hosting an auction tomorrow. I want you to be the auctioneer."

"Alright, Grandpa, I'll go."

"Good Taryn, you always put my mind at ease more than that ungrateful grandson."

It was a wine auction. If not for Grandpa's request, I would never have accepted it. Most of the auctions I handled involved antiques, jade, and porcelain, closely tied to the Connaughton Family's legacy in ceramics.

The highlight of today's auction was a bottle of 1990 DRC wine. Many wealthy businessmen in the audience raised their paddles to bid higher and higher. I smiled as I announced each new bid.

"Ninety-five thousand dollars, would you like to raise it to one hundred and five thousand?"

"The current highest bid is one hundred and ten thousand dollars."

With a final strike of the gavel, congratulations went to bidder number 8036.

I glanced towards the buyer. Eylon's beloved Evie Weston was sitting beside bidder 8036.

After the auction ended, Evie came uninvited into the backstage lounge.

"Miss Griswold, you look much more haggard after just one day."

I ignored her as she continued speaking.

"Even with Connaughton Family's strict rules, Mr. Connaughton still stayed with me all night despite the pressure."

I gestured for the girl helping me remove my makeup to leave. Evie smiled and continued.

"Miss Griswold, did you know? That bottle of wine today was actually bought by Mr. Connaughton for me. If you hadn't been here, he would have attended and bought it himself."

I stared at Evie; she was already five months pregnant.

"A mere million-dollar bottle of wine? The birthday gifts for Connaughton Family servants are worth more than a million."

"Evie, is this really something worth bragging about?"

"You..."

She turned red with anger. I calmly warned her as I played with my fingers.

"Evie, do you know that if the Connaughton Family dislikes something, even Eylon has to hide it? Last month, I bought food for his Ragdoll cat and sent it over myself."

"And what about a living person?"

Evie's eyes showed a hint of surprise. She composed herself but still spoke in a strained voice.

"The child in my belly is a descendant of the Connaughton Family. No matter how much they dislike me, they can't deny blood ties."

"One day, the Connaughton Family will bring him home."

My smile grew wider. Blood ties indeed.

"Miss Griswold, you're just an adopted child bride of the Connaughton Family. Eylon has long despised you."

"If not for the pressure from the Connaughton Family, he would have left you long ago."

"Haha, you don't even know what he says about you in my bed... Forget it; I'm afraid you'll take it too hard."

I gripped an eyebrow trimmer and approached her step by step. She was cornered against the makeup table.

Her eyes showed slight fear as she asked me in a trembling voice.

"Taryn, what are you doing?"

I pointed the scissors at her left eye, inching closer and closer.

I watched her pupils dilate in fear as her face trembled slightly.

"Taryn, don't go too far."

The scissors stopped just millimeters from her pupil. I smiled and tossed them aside.

"If you're scared of this much, how can you be fit to be the eldest grandson's wife of the Connaughton Family?"

Evie let out a long breath and angrily cursed at me.

"Lunatic! No wonder Eylon despises you."

With that, she stumbled out of the room.