Chapter 364

The tension in the auction hall was palpable as Catherine Winslow adjusted her pearl necklace with trembling fingers. "Go inform those bidders immediately," she commanded her assistant through gritted teeth. "Make it clear this painting belongs to the Winslow family heritage. Anyone who dares challenge us will face consequences."

Her assistant hesitated, biting her lower lip. But under Catherine's withering glare, she hurried out of the private booth.

The Winslow name still carried weight in Eldermere's high society. Though their influence had waned in recent years, most bidders immediately withdrew upon hearing the family's claim. No one wanted to make enemies of the once-powerful Winslow dynasty.

Just as Catherine allowed herself a smug smile, a crystal-clear voice sliced through the murmuring crowd. "The Winslows? How quaint. And what if I choose to ignore your little demand?"

Catherine's head snapped toward the source - the prestigious No. 1 private suite. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms. Of course the elite suite would be interested in Beatrice Ellington's portrait. The rumors about its significance must have spread further than she anticipated.

Having frequented this auction house for years, Catherine knew the unspoken rules. Even as a Winslow, she'd never been granted access to the No. 1 suite. Director Sebastian Whitmore made it clear - the Winslows no longer held that level of prestige.

Her assistant returned, face flushed with indignation. "How dare they speak to the Winslows like that! Shall we confront them directly, Madam?"

"Silence!" Catherine hissed, though her own frustration burned just as hot. "We can't afford to antagonize whoever's in that suite. But surely they should show basic respect to an established Eldermere family."

Steeling herself, Catherine emerged from her booth with practiced grace. Approaching the velvet ropes cordoning off the elite area, she adopted her most diplomatic tone. "Good evening. I'm Catherine Winslow. Might I know whom I have the pleasure of addressing? I've no wish to compete, but this particular painting holds sentimental value for our family. Name your price - the Winslows always repay their debts."

The suite remained ominously silent. Whispers rippled through the crowd. "The Winslows bowing to someone? Unthinkable!"

"Must be the Sinclair family. Or perhaps the Montgomerys?"

"Don't be absurd! Even combined, they wouldn't command this level of deference. This is someone far more powerful."

Still, no response came from behind the gilded doors. The auctioneer's hammer hovered mid-air.

Catherine's palms grew damp. Her assistant whispered nervously, "Shall we increase our bid, Madam?"

"With what funds, you imbecile?" Catherine snapped, her composure cracking. "Do you want the family accountants auditing my accounts?"

A new bid rang out from the silent suite. "One hundred million."

Catherine's knees nearly buckled. She gripped her assistant's arm for support. The room spun around her. "Madness!" she thought. "A hundred million for a single painting!"

The gavel fell with finality.

In that moment, Catherine Winslow realized two things: someone in that suite possessed unimaginable wealth, and they'd just humiliated the Winslow family before all of Eldermere's elite.