Chapter 2
Five years later, at an upscale auction house in Britain, the grand hall was brimming with high–profile guests.
On the suction stage stood an auctioneer in a white dress, her dark hair elegantly pinned up, her face veiled behind sheer fabric. Though her features were obscured, her graceful movements were mesmerizing
She introduced the current lot, sparking a fierce bidding war bellow
Her sharp eyes scanned the room as she wielded the gavel with authority.
From the second–floor balcony, Arthur watched with mild interest. “So this is the woman Grandfather insisted on seeing?”
His assistant handed him a dossier.“Yes. Her name is Ginevra Halden. She joined five years ago as an auctioneer and made a name for herself in her debut auction by selling a landscape painting with a starting bid of 150 thousand for 9 million. It was a sixty–fold markup. One gavel and she became legendary
Arthur narrowed his eyes”
wears
“She always wears the veil?“
“Without exception. Rumor has it that someone once offered 1.5 million just for her to remove it. She refused. People say she must be startlingly unattractive to keep it on.”
Arthur stubbed our his cigarete, still studying her. Her eyes are beautiful.”
A woman with
like that couldn’t possibly be startlingly unattractive.
And those eyes reminded him of Genevieve.
Five years ago, she left behind a divorce agreement, quietly had an abortion, and vanished without a trace.
“Bring her to me.”
Arthur good up
took a few steps before stopping
“It’s been five years. Still no trace of Genevieve?”
His assistant tensed.
People claimed no one could truly vanish without a trace.
Yet Genevieve had disappeared completely for five years.
Arthur massaged his temples. Keep looking.”
That woman was ruthless. She divorced him, aborted his child, and blocked and deleted him on every platform.
Few knew the CEO of the Pendelton Group had been the one left behind by a single signed document. Fewer still knew he’d spent five years searching
for the woman who’d walked away.
Arthur would find her. He needed to ask her what unspeakable crime he had committed to deserve such cruelty.
As Arthur walked away, his assistant, Henry Lockwood, remained rooted in place, sweating. He had searched everywhere he could think of, but there
Finding someone who had disappeared for five years was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Henry muttered under his breath, Mrs. Pendelion, where on earth are you?”
As the auction concluded, Ginevra gave an elegant slight bow before gracefully exiting the stage,
Five years ago, Genevieve had arrived in Britain and joined an auction house under the new identity of Ginevra Halden. To avoid unnecessary complications, she always wore a veil during auctions
Back in her office, a small child in pink rushed over on chubby legs. The tiny arms stretched out and wrapped around Genevieve’s legs as the child chirped brightly, “Mommy!”
Genevieve removed her veil, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face. She bent down to scoup up her daughter, planting a kiss on her rosy cheek. “Have you been waiting long, Penny? Where are your brothers?”
The Little girl puffed her cheeks and lifted her chinHmph! Brothers went our to play!”
“Did they leave you behind?”
“They said it’s a boys‘ game. No girls allowed.”
< Chapter 2
Genevieve sighed. Those two boys could’ve just admitted they wanted to ditch their sister.
Five years ago, heartbroken and devastated, Genevieve had initially intended to terminate the pregnancy. But the moment she faced the operating room, she couldn’t go through with it. In the end, she had chosen to keep the baby after all.
Two months after arriving in Britain, she gave birth to two boys and girl.
The eldest was Oliver, the second eldest, Caleb, and the youngest, Penelope. They all shared her last name, Harding
Oliver was sensible, Caleb mischievous, and Penelope the most adorable of all
Looking down at the precious little girl in her arms, Genevieve felt profoundly grateful for her decision five years ago.
“Oh! Mommy guess who we saw today!”
“Who did you see, sweetheart?”
“Bad Daddy!”
Penelope announced it loudly, but Genevieve didn’t quine carch it.
You saw who?”
“Brothers and I saw Bad Daddy, the one on TV called Arthur Pendelton! Bad Daddy! He’s so harsh and scary!”
Penelope even raised her litle hands to gesture dramatically.
Genevieve’s heart clenched at her words.
For years, she’d rarely heard Arthur’s name mentioned
She’d almost managed to forget his exiirence entirely.
But hearing his name from Penelope’s lips brought memories flooding back, and Genevieve’s chest wched with old pain.
But why would Arthur be here?
Her children only knew their father was named Arthur Pendelton. They had seen him on TV a few times. They must have been mistaken.
“It must have been someone else, darling. He wouldn’t come here.”
Two sharp raps at the door interrupted Penelope.
“Who is it?
“Ginevra, are you busy? The manager wants you to come over right away. Some distinguished guests are asking for you specifically.”
Their auction house had no shortage of important clients, but few could make the manager so nervous
Genevieve was curious just how important this one was.
“Alright, IT be right there.”
“But I really saw Bad Daddy,” Penelope insisted, tiny brows furrowed. Her voice dropped to a whisper as she added, “Are you going back to work now, Mommy!”
Genevieve ser her daughter on the sofa with an apologetic smile “Just wait a little longer, sweetheart. Mommy will be back soon, okay?”
Though she desperately wanted her mother to stay, Penelope knew better than to interrupt her work. She was a good girl.
“Okay. I’ll wait.”
Genevieve kissed her cheek again and handed her a bread roll. Have a snack. When I return, we’ll take you three out for a fancy dinner. Deal?”
‘Deal!
With one last gentle smile, Genevieve secured her veil and stepped out.
Penelope clutched her bread roll with both hands as she tiptoed to the door, peeking out curiously.
Mommy was gone again. She felt so
bored.
Setting down her snack, she tapped her smartwatch and asked in her swertest toddler voice, “Where are you guys? I’m coming to find you!”
A reply came instantly, a location pin with the message/Underground parking lot.”
< Chapter 2
In the dim underground garage, two little figures s stood before a sleek black Maybach.
Oliver crossed his arms, eyeing the car skeptically.“Are you sure this belongs to our scumbag dad?”
Beside him, Caleb was diligently scribbling on the car’s pristine surface with a marker.
“Done!” he announced proudly, stepping back.
I can’t be mistaken,” Caleb confirmed. “I saw him get out of this exact car earlier.”
Oliver studied the crooked, misspelled words now decorating the luxury vehicle and read them quietly, “A real scumbag who deserts his wife and children.”
