The Heir and His False Queen

ng. He made a point of publicly ignoring Ava. When she approached him with a polite inquiry about his health, he turned

dy presence. "Are you sure you're up

said. "I won't let t

tables. "Ethan, darling," she cooed, "you loo

he, Chloe? Or is she worried I

or a second. "Don't be s

s i

I think Ethan needs some air.

orced another smile. "Of course. You take c

t she?" Sophia murmured.

e," Ethan sa

-kind concept hypercar. Ethan had publicly expressed interest in acquiring i

on it playfully, egged on by Maya and Olivia. He'd raise a paddle

Ethan raised his paddle. "One point five

m. This was the Vanderbi

r voice was cool, challenging. She was using her pers

felt a surge of anger. T

ation's financial officer. He could

to Ava. She smiled fai

this. He signaled his intent to bid again. He picked up

ion bids three point fi

er waited. "

ed Ava. She

g twi

's bidding tablet went dark.

cer muttered, tapping at the device

hispered, a cold

anging his gavel. "To Ms. Ava M

hone. "Thank you. I'm so pleased to acquire this magnificent machine. I'

went wild. Ethan Vanderbilt, outmaneuvered by his potenti

mpressive, wasn't it? Ava's quite resourceful with tech. That bidding line... so ea