Chapter 5 Chapter 5

— Later, I'm going to bid on something really expensive and give it to him as a gift. I'll use the prize money from the competition. That way, my cousin will see the difference between me and her!

The two laughed softly, in complicity.

Shortly after, the trio disappeared down the hallway.

Katherine finally turned her gaze back to them.

A touch of sarcasm crossed her cold eyes. Soon, the master of ceremonies' voice echoed through the hall: the auction was officially beginning.

Nísia and her parents sat in the front row.

But her eyes were soon drawn to the center of the hall — where a man occupied one of the most coveted seats.

Her eyes widened, almost unable to contain her excitement.

“Mom! That's João Pedro Arbex! He's here too!”

Rosana followed her daughter's gaze and smiled, satisfied.

“After everything is over, I'll take you to talk to him.”

“Okay!” replied Nísia, her face shining with anticipation.

She had already met almost all the members of the powerful Arbex family — except him. João Pedro, the matriarch's second grandson.

They said he was brilliant, but cold and arrogant, a man who didn't waste time with anyone outside the Arbex circle.

I'm going to change that, Nísia thought, determined.

She looked back, and her smile widened when she saw Katherine sitting in the back row. A feeling of superiority filled her completely.

And when she noticed the man next to Kath—the same one who had accompanied her before—a flash of contempt crossed her gaze.

The first item was presented: a modern landscape by a renowned painter.

The bidding started slowly, restrained, and the painting was sold quickly.

Then the second item appeared on the screen—a pair of centenarian pearl earrings.

They belonged to the former European royalty, worn by queens and queen mothers.

They were a symbol of power and status, with incalculable value.

“Starting bid: three million reais,” announced the presenter.

The room fell silent for a brief moment.

But the sparkle in Nísia's eyes was immediate.

Three million was too much for her, but vanity spoke louder.

If I get this... Dad will be proud of me. And my cousin... will finally notice me.

After a few moments of reflection, Nísia decided to bid.

If she got those earrings, she could give them to the Lutz matriarch and, who knows, maybe win a little more affection from her stepfather's family.

As soon as the auctioneer finished presenting the item, she raised her paddle enthusiastically.

“Three million one hundred thousand!”

The audience began to murmur, and the auctioneer was preparing to confirm the bid when a calm, firm voice cut through the air:

“Five million.”

The entire room turned to the source of the voice.

It was a sudden, unexpected, almost provocative increase.

Nísia also looked—and her heart raced.

João Pedro Arbex.

She could hardly believe it.

The fact that they both wanted the same item meant that they shared refined taste.

And, of course, she knew it would be unwise to compete with him.

She just smiled, enchanted, and let the game continue.

Her gaze, full of adoration, remained fixed on him.

But João Pedro did not reciprocate.

His face remained impassive, his cold gaze fixed on the stage—completely indifferent to everything around him.

A new bid broke the silence:

“Five million five hundred thousand!”

Soon another buyer intervened:

“Six million!”

João Pedro raised his paddle, unhurriedly.

“Ten million.”

A murmur ran through the audience.

Nísia's heart raced.

He is so... incredible.

Even so, others were not intimidated.

“Twelve million!” someone shouted.

João Pedro didn't even blink.

“Twenty million.”

The air seemed to freeze.

The voices ceased.

It wasn't a lack of money—it was pure common sense.

No one wanted to compete for a pair of earrings whose real value had long since been exceeded.

The auctioneer smiled, about to bang the gavel.

But before he could do so—

“Thirty million.”

The female voice came from the back of the room—soft, almost lazy, but full of confidence.

A murmur ran through the room, followed by surprised glances.

Who would dare to challenge João Pedro Arbex?

And who was that unknown young woman?

When Nísia finally saw who had raised the paddle, her expression changed from surprise to pure mockery.

It was Katherine.

She turned to her mother, stifling a laugh.

“My cousin is so naive. Does she think the man she came with can afford thirty million?” she whispered mockingly. “She must think the auction is a game of house.”

Rosana replied in an equally contemptuous tone:

“A girl from the countryside... what could she possibly understand?”

Nísia nodded, her gaze still fixed on Katherine.

“The second son of the Arbex family wants this item. She must know that. She's just raising the bid to get attention. She doesn't have that kind of money.”

She then turned, anxiously awaiting João Pedro's next move.

The entire room waited for him to react.

But he didn't move.

Time seemed to stretch out for long seconds until the dry sound of the hammer echoed on the stage.

Three strikes.

Silence.

Katherine had won.

Nísia stood still, her face pale.

She looked around, confused.

“What...? Did she... really win?”

Her gaze shifted to João Pedro, who remained calm, indifferent, as if nothing had happened.

Why didn't he compete?

Why... did he let Katherine win?