There were only three pieces of jewelry in the auction catalog.
Besides the necklace and bracelet that Jessie Sterling had her eye on, there was also a teardrop-shaped diamond necklace.
Since it wasn't a colored diamond, Jessie didn't pay it much mind.
After the auction ended, Jessie was in low spirits.
The two items she wanted had been snatched away by someone else, and she wore a long face, looking listless.
Quincy Sterling felt a little guilty. After all, if she hadn't stopped her earlier, the young miss might have already secured that pink diamond bracelet.
"Anyway, you're going to New York Fashion Week next month. Won't there be auctions there too? Just buy whatever you like then, okay?" Quincy said, tugging on Jessie's hand.
Jessie huffed petulantly. "That still depends on if there's anything I like."
Quincy and Jessie went their separate ways the next day. Quincy went to meet a client, while Jessie met up with Lynn Jennings—who had just flown back from a vacation in Australia—to go to Central.
The moment Lynn Jennings saw Jessie, she immediately pulled her into a big hug.
"My darling Jessie!"
Jessie rolled her eyes without hesitation, but still returned the hug. "Don't call me something so gross." She made a show of her distaste.
Lynn Jennings had been her playmate since they were little. The two of them were practically inseparable from kindergarten through high school.
To Lynn, they had probably only been apart for half a month, but for Jessie, it had actually been over a year since she had last seen her friend.
In her past life, after marrying Julian Grant and moving abroad, her once-cheerful personality had turned melancholic. She was consumed by self-doubt due to Julian's neglect, growing more and more withdrawn and eventually avoiding her old friends.
But having been given a second chance, Jessie had a new perspective on many things.
'Why should a man make her question herself, wear herself down?'
"I heard your engagement to Julian Grant was called off. And I also heard it was your father who rejected the marriage?" Although Lynn Jennings had been in Australia, her sources were clearly still excellent.
"Mhm," Jessie nodded.
Lynn looked at her a little cautiously. "So... are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Jessie turned and smiled at her. "I told them I didn't want to marry him anymore."
Lynn was stunned.
Jessie Sterling had grown up coddled and showered with love. People who are so loved rarely feel wronged. In all the years Lynn had known Jessie, the only time she'd ever seen her cry was a few years ago, when Jessie heard that Julian Grant had a girlfriend.
Jessie ignored Lynn's shock, linking her arm and saying in a soft, coquettish voice, "Come on, let's go. I had the sales associate hold a cute dress for you. Go try it on and see if it fits. If not, we'll get it in another size."
Lynn let Jessie push her along, but didn't forget to ask how she was handling the matchmaking situation at home.
For girls from families like theirs, the opportunity to choose their own spouse was rare. If they chose a partner without considering family background, they had to be prepared to be cut off from their clan.
"So what's your plan now?"
Jessie replied nonchalantly, "I'll just go to Aethelburg."
Lynn stopped in her tracks, then leaned in conspiratorially. "You've met him?"
"Met who?" Jessie didn't catch on.
Lynn held out her hands and bumped her thumbs together. "The guy from the Morgan family! Is he good-looking?" After saying this, Lynn answered her own question. "He must be handsome. At least, he can't be worse-looking than Julian Grant. Otherwise, would you have willingly given Julian up?"
When Jessie realized what Lynn was talking about, she shrieked, "I haven't met him!"
"Really?" Lynn pressed.
Jessie snorted. "But the two families are having an initial meeting this weekend."
Lynn didn't doubt her. She and Jessie had grown up together and were inseparable even through school. Jessie looked incredibly pampered and had a face that attracted countless admirers, making it seem like she'd had many boyfriends. But in reality, she was a blank slate.
Back in middle school, she'd turn in any love letter she received to the teacher.
It wasn't because she was too obedient, but because the young miss thought all the boys her age were too ugly and not worthy of her notice.
She was impossibly haughty, but perhaps it was that very spirited pride that made people adore her.
So when Lynn later found out that Jessie liked Julian Grant, she figured it was just because Jessie had gotten used to having him around.
"So, should we do some digging? I can ask around for you," Lynn suggested.
"How? There are no pictures of him online." Jessie sounded uninterested. Her family was interested in the power behind Victor Morgan, and the man himself, but when she had agreed, she had already prepared herself for a future of "rooming together" with someone.
After all, she'd seen so many couples who looked harmonious but were emotionally estranged. They were husband and wife in name only, each living their own separate lives.
"I'll just ask," Lynn said, already typing a message on her phone.
Jessie suddenly looked at her warily. "You're not asking... your 'roster,' are you?!"
Lynn gave Jessie a look one might give a child. "Of course I am," she answered nonchalantly. "It's not like we're mortal enemies who'll never speak again. What's the harm in asking?"
Jessie: "..."
The "roster" was her collective term for all of Lynn Jennings's ex-boyfriends.
Lynn Jennings was a true 'queen of the sea,' the kind of girl who had boys fighting over her back in elementary school.
"Okay, here we go." A moment later, Lynn zoomed in on a photo and held her phone out to Jessie.
Whoever Lynn was talking to—one of her many exes—sent a flurry of questions back after receiving her message.
"Why are you asking about someone from the Morgan family? They're very low-key. Even at things like press conferences, it's the group's spokesperson who attends. Victor Morgan rarely makes public appearances."
"This photo is from a networking event at the beginning of the year. It's a bit blurry."
"The Morgan family is pretty strict. If you're thinking of making a move on Victor Morgan, I'd advise you to drop the idea."
Because Lynn was holding the phone right under Jessie's nose, Jessie saw all of the messages from the other person.
Jessie couldn't help but glance at Lynn. To get that kind of "advice" from an ex... she honestly thought Lynn was a total badass.
Then, Jessie's attention finally fell on the figure in the photo, who wasn't actually that blurry.
The photo seemed to be a candid shot of Victor Morgan at a reception. It wasn't high-definition, but it was clear enough. You could tell he had an upright, imposing figure and an extraordinary bearing.
"Tsk, tsk, that body..." Lynn had now pulled Jessie into a coffee shop. She sat on the sofa, leaning over Jessie's shoulder. "Not bad. He's got it going on."
Jessie said, "...You can tell all that from one picture?"
Lynn let out a soft laugh, not answering the cute little miss's question.
'When you've been with enough men, you naturally develop a sharp eye. How could a greenhorn like Jessie possibly compare?'