The Auction Stops
Chapter 08 - The Auction Stops
The auctioneer raised the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our final lot—”
Claire stepped onto the platform.
“Stop.”
The room shifted.
Grant smiled at the guests as though this interruption were planned.
Claire did not take the microphone immediately. She set Lily gently beside Rosa, then opened the trust ledger on the podium.
“The Orchard at Dawn is not for sale.”
A murmur moved through the ballroom.
Sebastian Ward stood.
“I have a signed purchase agreement.”
Claire looked at him.
“The signature was forged.”
Grant climbed onto the stage.
“My wife is distressed.”
Claire held up the ledger.
“This painting belongs to the Lily Anne Trust. It cannot be sold. No transfer was approved by the trustee.”
Sebastian’s attorneys began speaking to one another.
Grant reached for Claire’s arm.
She stepped away.
Hotel security moved closer.
Then Daniel Price displayed the payment route to the independent foundation counsel.
May you like
Mercer Capital appeared at the end of the chain.
Grant’s public smile finally disappeared.
