Chapter 6

Not long after returning from the hospital, Ewan received a phone call with an invitation from an auction house. He told Wynter, and she excitedly ran back to her room to pick out her outfit. After a while, he looked at Nova, who was sitting on the couch. His voice seemed to suggest that he was bestowing her charity as he said, "You can come too. Consider it a reward for donating blood to Wynter." Nova was about to refuse, but Ewan had turned and walked away, not giving her the slightest chance to speak. … At the auction, Ewan raised his bid paddle without hesitation for any item that caught Wynter's fancy. By the side, Nova remained completely indifferent and never showed interest in bidding. When a set of exquisite, valuable jewelry was brought out, gasps echoed through the room. Wynter clung to Ewan's arm and sweetly said, "Ewan, I want to wear this when I marry you and be the most dazzling bride." Ewan raised his paddle without a second thought and took down the jewelry set at the final price of 1.2 million dollars. People in the crowd sighed in admiration at how much Ewan loved his wife. Nova didn't glance up until she heard the auctioneer's next words. "Our next item is of significant historical value. It is a cartridge left by Lieutenant Atlas Sterling during a battle a decade ago!" Atlas Sterling… That was her late father's name. Nova's head snapped up, and her eyes were filled with stunned disbelief. Her eyes reddened and watered instantly as emotions surged. Without a second thought, she raised her paddle. Ewan didn't bid and looked at her with a complicated expression. "300 thousand once! "300 thousand twice! "Very well. Congratulations to Ms. Ster—" "Wait!" The previously uninterested Wynter suddenly tugged at Ewan's arm and pleaded, "Ewan, I want that cartridge for my collection too." Ewan hesitated. Perhaps he understood the significance of the cartridge to Nova. But when he noticed the eager look in Wynter's eyes, he turned to Nova and said, "Give up the bid, Nova. I'll buy you anything else you want, but Wynter wants this." Nova's eyes filled with bitter sorrow. Instead of responding, she stubbornly raised her paddle. Ewan's expression darkened. As if making up his mind, he raised the golden paddle toward the auction table. "Holy crap! Lieutenant Shaw has raised the golden paddle. Who would dare compete now that he's determined to get it?" "Oh my, that's the first time I've seen a golden paddle. He sure is a simp for his wife!" As murmurs around them grew intense, Nova's face went pale. Ewan knew what the cartridge meant to her and still… Her gaze went completely dull before she gave a small nod with tears brimming in her eyes. "Fine." She loosened her grip on the paddle. At the same time, she released years of futile obsession toward Ewan. After picking up her bag, she ignored Ewan's shocked look and swiftly left the auction hall. A flight confirmation message popped up on her phone. The flight was at 6:00 pm on the day of her kidney donation. Nova looked at the time and breathed out gradually. Just one more day, and she could finally leave. … After returning to the villa, she quickly packed her suitcase. Ironically, she'd lived here for over a decade but somehow had fewer belongings than Wynter. Just as she finished, Ewan kicked the door open. His expression was terrifyingly dark as he strode in, and the dangerous air he gave off would make one feel chilled to the bones. The sharp look in his eyes shot daggers. His voice was icy as he questioned, "When did you turn out this way, Nova? How could you have stooped so low and resort to stealing, just to achieve your goals!" Nova froze in confusion. She was about to ask what he meant, but he didn't give her the chance. Rage boiled his blood, and his voice was cold as he said, "I understand that the cartridge belonged to your father. I was planning to give it to you after Wynter got bored with it, but now, I'm deeply disappointed by what you've done! "You've become like this because I failed to guide you properly. For the sake of your late parents, I have to teach you a lesson now." Trembling with fury, Ewan stepped forward and slapped Nova. Her head whipped to the side, and a red mark was printed on her cheeks. She stood in stunned silence, her eyes full of disbelief. All these years, this was the first time Ewan ever hit her, and it was for something she hadn't done. Just as he dropped his hand, he received a call from the hospital. "Hello, is this Ms. Linwood's family? She's currently in the emergency room. Could you come over immediately?"