Chapter 6

Thorne Industries held a charity auction every year.

Counting the days, this year's charity auction was fast approaching.

I found someone to get me a ticket to the auction and entered.

The auction was filled with powerful figures, a world where reputation meant nothing, only profit.

I seized the opportunity to find the event organizer and asked him to convey a message to Mr. Thorne.

"Mr. Thorne, I’ve heard about Thorne Industries’ charity auction even in Thailand."

After that, I quietly sat in a secluded corner.

Soon, someone came looking for me.

Thorne Industries' charity was merely a façade; in reality, it was deeply involved in illicit dealings in Thailand.

Bodyguards escorted me into a private room.

Pushing the door open, I found Mr. Thorne seated on the sofa, reading a newspaper. He looked up when he saw me.

"Miss Skylar, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

I replied casually:

"No particular reason, I just want to make a deal with you."

He rustled his newspaper, sounding mildly interested:

"I’m all ears."

Smart people don't need many words.

Especially a cunning old fox like him, who was about my father’s age.

The scene shifted. I appeared in the auction hall, linked arms with Mr. Thorne.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Mr. Thorne led me to the center, took the microphone, and announced,

"Ladies and gentlemen, besides today's charity auction, I also have some wonderful news to share with you all."

"That is, Miss Skylar and I are preparing to get married."

He finished speaking, looked at me, and patted my hand. I returned his smile.

Everyone applauded, but the glances they cast my way were filled with disdain.

Standing on stage, my eyes still found Julian.

His face was composed, but a mask of ice, a vein throbbing wildly in his neck.

Of course, any man would struggle when his ex-girlfriend was about to become his stepmother.

I'm sorry, Julian, but your dad simply has more power than you.

To uncover the truth, that entry point could only be your father.

That evening, Mr. Thorne’s car dropped me off.

As soon as I reached the stairwell, I sensed someone behind me.

Before I could even scream for help, a hand clapped over my mouth, and I was dragged into the shadowy corner beneath the stairs.