The chatter from the crowd didn’t let up, and some people even brazenly glanced toward the Everett Family.
"Holy shit, the Everett Family wanted to buy that necklace for Shannon Everett and they could barely bid seventy million even after gritting their teeth. But then that gentleman on the second floor just drops a hundred million without even blinking! And he gave it straight to Sienna Everett!!"
"The Everett Family really can’t compare, can they!"
"Damn, just a minute ago I was saying Sienna Everett wasn’t as lucky as the fake heiress, Shannon Everett. And now some mysterious tycoon is throwing money around, buying gifts for Sienna Everett! Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
"If someone was willing to spend a hundred million on me, I’d lose my mind!" a female guest exclaimed. Her eyes were fixed on the private room upstairs, her face filled with longing. She was practically dying of envy.
Hearing these words, jealousy and hatred surged wildly in Shannon Everett’s heart.
Sienna Everett... Sienna Everett...
’This worthless bastard, unloved by her father, mother, and brother, should be groveling at my feet.’
’How is it that ever since the *National Style Dance* competition, Sienna Everett has been outshining me at every turn!’
’And now someone actually spent a hundred million on a necklace just to give it to Sienna Everett!’
’Who is it?!’
Shannon Everett’s nails dug tightly into her palm, her expression darker than ever.
Wyatt Everett’s and Morgan Everett’s expressions weren’t much better.
Only Mason Everett’s expression didn’t change much, but his brow was tightly furrowed, showing his displeasure.
’Real heiress, fake heiress... all this talk felt like a personal accusation, as if people were pointing fingers right at him.’
’Could it be... that the Everett Family had truly wronged Sienna Everett?’
「In the second-floor private room.」
Manager Jennings gingerly placed the gift box on the table and opened the lid. "Mr. Forrester, Miss Everett, this is the necklace named ’Rest of Life’."
Sienna Everett stared at the necklace in the box, her mind still reeling.
’Julian Forrester actually gave me a gift?’
’And he spent so much money?’
Manager Jennings took out a contract to hire Sienna Everett as a senior appraiser and asked her to sign it.
After she signed, Manager Jennings tactfully excused himself, beckoning to Samuel Sutton on his way out.
Samuel Sutton also left the private room.
Now, only Sienna Everett and Julian Forrester remained in the room.
Sienna Everett couldn’t hold back any longer. With a look of utter disbelief, she asked, "Are you alright? Why the sudden gift?"
Instead of answering, Julian Forrester asked, "Don’t you like it?"
Sienna Everett was even more baffled. She did love the designer Violet’s work, but...
"Just because I like it, you have to buy it for me?"
The man’s voice was languid. "Can’t I?"
"It’s not that you can’t, it’s just..." ’This is so strange.’
’They had been like sworn enemies when they were little. Even though they were married now and things weren’t as tense as they used to be, a one-hundred-million-dollar necklace was just too sudden.’
Sienna Everett’s long, thick lashes fluttered. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
A languid, casual smile played on Julian Forrester’s lips. "Just consider it... my wedding gift to Sienna."
’The name, ’Rest of Life,’ has a nice ring to it.’
Sienna Everett was taken aback. ’A wedding gift?’
’Is that a thing?’
’This was her first marriage; she didn’t have much experience.’
’It was the first time she’d ever heard of a ’wedding gift’ like this.’
Sienna Everett glanced at the gorgeous, luxurious Sapphire Necklace, then pursed her lips and asked, "Do I need to get you a gift in return?"
Sienna Everett expected him to politely decline, but the next second, she heard him speak.
The man’s languid, amused voice drifted over. "Of course."
Sienna Everett: "..."
’Fine.’
’A wedding gift... This is a headache. What should I even get him?’
Julian Forrester raised a hand, his long, elegant fingers lifting the necklace from its box. He stood and walked over to Sienna Everett, his gaze lowered. "Shall I put it on for you?"
Sienna Everett, still preoccupied with what gift to get him, nodded absently.
Julian Forrester moved behind her to fasten the ’Rest of Life’ necklace.
Sienna Everett had a slender neck and delicate, snow-white skin. Even a necklace this luxurious and beautiful didn’t outshine her; instead, it became a mere accent to her own beauty.
As he fastened the clasp, Julian Forrester’s fingers brushed lightly against the warm, fair skin of her nape.
Sienna Everett’s thoughts snapped back to the present.
Where his fingers had touched, it felt as if a faint electric current had shot through her, a tingling sensation that sent a slight shiver down her spine.
The strange, unfamiliar feeling made Sienna Everett’s back stiffen slightly.
It was as if her senses were infinitely magnified. A touch she would normally never have noticed suddenly felt incredibly distinct.
Sienna Everett swallowed and couldn’t help but ask, "Is it on?"
"Done." Julian Forrester rested his hands on her shoulders and had her stand up. "Want to go look in the mirror?"
There was a mirror on the left side of the room.
Sienna Everett walked over and looked at her reflection.
However, her gaze wasn’t focused on the necklace, but on the man behind her.
Julian Forrester stood just behind her to the right, his hands resting on her slender shoulders, his fingers long and elegant. The posture was so intimate it was almost an embrace.
Feeling a little uncomfortable, Sienna Everett took a step forward, breaking free from his hold.
Julian Forrester lowered his gaze, the warmth of her skin still lingering on his fingertips.
He gently rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.
When he looked up again, his eyes met Sienna Everett’s in the mirror. He arched a brow, his voice casually deep and mellow. "Just as I thought. The necklace suits you perfectly."
Sienna Everett looked at her reflection. The necklace was indeed beautiful.
But that only put more pressure on her.
’What kind of return gift would even be appropriate?’
The auction ended after ten o’clock at night.
Julian Forrester glanced at his watch. "Hungry? Want to get a bite to eat?"
Sienna Everett was actually a bit hungry. She rubbed her stomach. "Let’s get a late-night snack."
The two left the private box.
They hadn’t gone far when Julian Forrester’s phone rang. It was about work.
Sienna Everett told him to take the call while she strolled down the corridor, admiring the paintings on the walls.
She looked at them one by one, and soon found herself at the top of the stairs.
"Sienna Everett!"
Someone shouted her name, their voice thick with anger.
Sienna Everett turned to see Wyatt Everett.
Wyatt Everett had already left, but the more he thought about what had happened at the auction, the angrier he became. He had come back alone to find Sienna Everett and teach her a lesson.
Wyatt Everett stormed upstairs. As he reached the landing, he saw Sienna Everett at the top of the staircase. His eyes immediately locked onto the necklace she was wearing, and the fury in his heart blazed even hotter.
"Sienna Everett! So you really did steal Shannon’s necklace!"
Sienna Everett stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at him. "Steal? This is an auction. You were just too incompetent to win it for Shannon Everett."
The accusation hit a nerve. Wyatt Everett glared at Sienna Everett, his eyes filled with enough hatred to tear her apart.
"Sienna Everett, I’m warning you! If you dare bully Shannon again, I won’t let you get away with it!"
At his words, Sienna Everett’s gaze turned icy.
Wyatt Everett’s face was cold and hard, his tone caustic. "Sienna Everett, don’t blame me for disregarding family ties. You might be my biological sister, but Shannon is my sister, too!"
"Besides, Shannon saved my life once! And you? When I was in danger, all you did was run away. For that reason alone, you will never compare to Shannon in my eyes. You aren’t even worth a hair on her head!"
Despite his impassioned tirade, Sienna Everett’s expression didn’t flicker. From beginning to end, she remained aloof and indifferent.
"Wyatt Everett, remember this: I’ve already severed all ties with the Everett Family. Don’t you ever call me your sister again. The thought disgusts me."
"And another thing... do you really believe... that the person who saved you back then was Shannon Everett?"