Chapter 4 Lose Face At The Auction

Kimberly suddenly stumbled back in shock, covering her mouth as her voice rose in disbelief.

It was the busiest time for guests at the auction, and in an instant, the crowd was drawn to the scene created by the three of them.

Kimberly's eyes grew wide as tears quickly gathered, her voice thick with emotion. "Declan, it's clear you prefer your adopted sister. Throughout our marriage, whenever she needs you, be it day or night, you're there instantly. At every significant occasion, she's by your side. What about me? I'm your wife!"

Caught off guard by Kimberly's emotional outburst, Declan and Valerie momentarily froze.

Kimberly's tearful accusation became more heartfelt. "Now, you want me to give my wedding gift to your adopted sister. If I refuse, you make me kneel before her. Declan, I really want to ask you. Today, it's the wedding gift. What about in the future? If she wants you, am I supposed to give my husband to her too?"

This heartbreaking complaint immediately resonated with the crowd, who started pointing fingers at Declan and Valerie.

"What a jerk! I used to believe he was just close to his adopted sister, but now it seems like there's something more happening behind the scenes."

"Absolutely! An adopted sister, yet he treats her so well. Something's off here. Mrs. Walsh married into the Walsh family and significantly boosted their standing, yet he takes her for granted."

"To make his wife kneel to his sister? That's disgusting! How can they show their faces here?"

As the gossip became harsher, Declan's expression grew darker.

He shouted at Kimberly, "I only asked you to apologize to Valerie, not to kneel. Don't twist my words!"

Valerie, overwhelmed by the backlash, quickly added, "Kimberly, it was you who insulted me first. Don't make things up out of jealousy for Declan's affection for me!"

Kimberly didn't show any signs of panic. Instead, she let out a bitter laugh and turned to the crowd with a touch of self-mockery. "Jealous? Did you hear that? My husband's adopted sister thinks I'm jealous of her. I always thought jealousy was something wives felt toward mistresses, but I never imagined it could apply to a sister!"

Her words shifted the crowd's perception of Valerie even more negatively.

Kimberly fixed her gaze on Declan, her voice raspy. "Apologize? Alright, tell everyone why I should. Let them judge if I really owe an apology!"

Declan clenched his jaw.

He knew his request to give the wedding gift to his sister was indefensible. Admitting it would label him and Valerie poorly.

Declan moved quickly to grab Kimberly's arm.

"Enough drama. Are you having another episode? I didn't want you at these events because I worry about your mental health."

Valerie chimed in, "Yes, Kimberly, every time you have one of these episodes, you invent stories about Declan mistreating you, even resorting to violence. You really should follow the doctor's advice and seek treatment."

In Kimberly's previous life, Declan had single-handedly labeled her as mentally unstable, which had led to her being restrained and removed in public when she tried to reclaim her necklace.

From then on, the rumor that Kimberly was a lunatic spread through high society, causing Kimberly to lose all her social opportunities.

As the crowd looked on with disapproval, Kimberly forcefully removed Declan's hand, her voice filled with distress.

"When I married into the Walsh family, I was thoroughly examined, including my mental health, which is documented online. Yet, after a year of marriage, your coldness and your closeness with another woman pushed me into depression. Declan, does emotionally tormenting your wife to the point of mental distress makes you feel accomplished?"

Declan was left momentarily without words.

Noticing the growing scornful looks from those around him, his expression darkened even more as he turned to his bodyguards nearby.

"Mrs. Walsh is having a mental health sickness. Remove her for treatment immediately!"

The escape behind Kimberly was quickly blocked by several bodyguards who moved toward her.

"Mrs. Walsh, please cooperate, or you could get hurt!"

Kimberly stepped back, weighing her options, when a male voice cut through the tension.

"Mrs. Walsh!"

She turned to see Benjamin Thorpe, the respected butler of the Howard family, pushing through the crowd, accompanied by the manager she had spoken with earlier.

He approached Kimberly respectfully. "Mrs. Howard has taken a great interest in the necklace you contributed. She's willing to offer ten times the auction value to acquire it."

Both Declan and Valerie reacted visibly, Valerie with a look of jealousy and resentment.

Kimberly caressed the necklace, then responded with a thoughtful smile, "Since I've put it up for auction, I'm open to letting it go. However, I'd prefer to discuss the price directly with Mrs. Howard, if that's acceptable?"

Benjamin smiled warmly, nodding in agreement.

"Certainly, Mrs. Walsh, please accompany me."

As Benjamin began to lead Kimberly away, Declan stepped in their way.

Clearing his throat, he changed his tone from earlier and spoke with deep respect. "Mr. Thorpe, I'm Declan Walsh, Kimberly's husband. I usually take care of family matters. My wife rarely attends important events, and I'm concerned she might say something inappropriate. Maybe I should talk to Mrs. Howard instead."

Valerie added swiftly, "Mr. Thorpe, you've heard about my sister-in-law's mental troubles. Mrs. Howard is quite advanced in age and could be easily alarmed by her. It might be wiser if my brother and I handle this. We're all family here, so it shouldn't matter who speaks on our behalf."

Declan then gestured invitingly towards Benjamin, while Valerie positioned herself between the butler and Kimberly.

Watching their shameless behavior, Kimberly couldn't help but sneer at herself. She had never met such shameless people!

"Please, this necklace was donated under Mrs. Walsh's personal name," the butler said.