Chapter 5 The Auction

FOUR YEARS LATER.

Quinn stepped out of the plane, her heart pounding as she took in the familiar scent of the city where she had decided to bury painful memories four years ago. As she walked, a feeling of dread washed over her, memories flooding back with every step.

"Mum! Is uncle coming to pick us up?" Two lovely kids inquired with enthusiasm, jolting her out of her thoughts.

Quinn squatted in front of the kids, brushing off the ice cream that had melted at the corner of their lips. "Do you miss uncle that much?"

"Yes, I want to see my uncle so bad." Sam, the younger brother uttered, in a pitiful tone.

"Why do you still act like a kid? Will you ever grow up?" Liam, the older brother asked, his disdain palpable.

Quinn Morgan could only laugh at her kids. She felt a deep sense of joy, pride, and fulfillment seeing her kids grow so well. Who would have thought she was pregnant with twins back then? Her kids, Liam and Sam became the light of her life.

After the birth of the twins, she had taken over one of her father's design companies, Quintero Design, in Los Angeles. The company was named after her as it was actually a gift from her father to her when she was a kid.

Quinn managed the company effectively with her impeccable craftsmanship throughout the years. She is indeed a great designer.

She had decided to return to her family in New York to take over the real estate company she was managing before she got married to Sebastian while establishing another Quintero design company in New York.

She rummaged through her bag at the nuzzling of her phone and a wide grin appeared on her face, as Sullivan's name flashed on her screen.

"Godfather is here to pick us up." She whispered to her kids.

A few minutes later, Sullivan, a billionaire, who had been of help to Quinn at LA arrived at the airport to pick them up.

"Thanks so much, godfather." The kids uttered simultaneously, after hopping into the car.

"Who knows that big uncle will disappoint us, by not coming," Sam said, with a disappointed look on his face.

Liam, who's always acting like a big brother, gave Sam a fierce glance. "Do we have to spell it out to you that he's busy? Not everyone is as jobless as you are."

Tears welled up in Sam's eyes. "Mom, godfather, are you sure Liam is my brother? Why is he so brutal?"

Quinn smiled and patted his back comfortingly.

"Sullivan, after dropping the kids at home, can you go with me to an auction at the riverside gallery? I heard the Enchanted Emerald Pendant Designs will be auctioned off tonight." Quinn said to Sullivan.

The Enchanted Emerald Pendant Designs are original sketches of a pendant with a central emerald that was rumored to possess magical properties, designed by a famed jeweler during the Renaissance.

Sullivan knew how much Quinn wanted to have those sketches, he couldn't turn down her request despite his busy schedule.

"All right. I will go with you." He granted her request.

Soon, they arrived at Mr. Morgan's mansion. Mr. Morgan, who was so eager to see his daughter after seven years, couldn't just sit inside the mansion.

He was so excited when he saw his daughter and grandsons. Quinn was no longer scared of being scolded by him because she was no longer the Quinn who lived below her father's expectations for a man. She is now a woman who runs a multibillion-dollar design company and plans to run a multibillion-dollar real estate company.

"Dad, I have to go to an auction now, I will have to trouble you with the kids," Quinn said, her voice laced with pity for her father, knowing that Sam would really trouble the old man.

"It's no trouble, my queen. We have enough maids in the house to help out too." Mr. Morgan said, smiling.

*

At the auction.

Quinn dressed in an emerald green velvet gown, flowing to the floor gracefully. The dress has an off-shoulder neckline with intricate bead designs along the bodice, adding a touch of glamour to it. Her long hair was wrapped up in a ponytail showing her understated diamond earrings and a matching necklace.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have the Enchanted Emerald Pendant Designs up for bid today. The highest bidder becomes the owner." The auctioneer stated.

"Let's begin! Do I hear an opening bid of $15,000?"

"That's a little too high for a start." Alice, who was also present with Sebastian, at the auction whispered.

"$15,000," one man said.

"$20,000," Sebastian opposed.

"That voice, it's so familiar." Quinn thought to herself.

"$30,000," Quinn countered.

No matter whose voice that was, she'd not allow anyone to own the Enchanted Emerald Pendant Design.

"$40,000," Sebastian thundered again.

"$50,000," Quinn opposed.

This time, Sebastian turned his head to look at the person who dared to bid against him. He knew the person wasn't an ordinary one, especially when she was a woman.

He saw a familiar face but didn't see it clearly. He waved away the thought that came to his mind immediately, knowing that it wasn't possible.

"$60,000," Sebastian yelled, anger brewing in his eyes.

He needed the Enchanted Emerald Pendant Design to partner with a multibillion-dollar design company in Los Angeles. His company is experiencing gradual financial decline and he needed a partnership with this design company.

"Sebastian, shouldn't we just give up on this? We can look for other ways to partner with Quintero design company." She said to him, knowing that they don't have much finances at hand.

"I have $60,000 over here, do I see a higher amount?" The auctioneer asked.

"$80,000," Quinn countered gracefully.

All heads turned to look at her and Alice's eyes widened in shock when she saw Quinn. Could she be dreaming? It's not possible that it's Quinn right? She thought to herself.

"Going once, going twice..."

"Sold to the highest bidder!" The auctioneer thundered when there was no one else bidding.

Sebastian swiveled his head and his gaze met that of Quinn.

"Quinn." He whispered disbelief etched on his features.