Chapter 11 A Hidden Agenda
Chapter 11 A Hidden Agenda
It was clear Preston hadn’t taken a single word of Alisa’s warning to heart.
Not that she expected him to.
Preston still had no idea how serious things could get.
To him, her words were nothing more than an offhand reminder, not worth mulling over.
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In the original story, Preston was written as quick–tempered and sly–a man with a short fuse, sharpened by years of kickboxing. The kind who, once provoked, would throw himself right into someone else’s game.
And Sabrina had just lit that fuse; he quickly fell into her game.
Alisa had no illusions about changing Preston’s personality on the spot. She hadn’t come tonight unprepared–every move was planned.
Five minutes before the auction began, Sabrina finally arrived, right on the dot.
Leaning back in her chair, Alisa calmly glanced toward the entrance as Sabrina strolled in wearing a sleek black dress.
“Isn’t that Sabrina?”
“What’s she doing here?”
A few guests recognized her instantly.
Not long ago, she had stirred up a storm at Cordelia’s wedding–a scandal still fresh in everyone’s mind.
Preston caught the murmurs, turned toward the doorway, and saw her.
The moment he did, the air around him seemed to bristle with hostility.
“Alisa–it’s Sabrina.”
“Mmm. I see her.”
Preston’s anger flared. This tramp ruined Cordelia’s wedding, and she dares to show her face here? The Nelsons are ruined. What qualifies her to attend this auction?”
Alisa patted his shoulder. “Don’t get worked up. It’s a public event–her being here has nothing to do with us.”
“That’s not the point! We haven’t settled the score from the wedding. Just seeing her ticks me off–no, I’m not letting this go!”
Before she could answer, Preston shot to his feet and stormed toward Sabrina.
Alisa watched him go, shaking her head slightly.
The bidding staff saw this; he glanced at her, puzzled. “Ms. Roffe, where’s your cousin going? The auction starts in a few
minutes.”
“Don’t worry,” Alisa replied. “There’s a show about to start.”
Preston stopped in front of Sabrina, his expression steeped in disdain.
“Sabrina, what are you doing here?”
She was scanning the rows for her seat when he blocked her path. Lifting her gaze, she met his eyes and, with the poise of someone who’d never lost a verbal duel, said coolly, “None of your business.”
His temper ignited, and he ridiculed, “Your family is already bankrupt and drowning in debt. What gives you the right to
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Chapter 11 A Hidden Agenda
attend an event like this? Or did you sneak in to steal something?”
Right on cue–the scene was playing out exactly as it had in the original plot.
Preston was already accusing Sabrina of sneaking in to steal something.
Those standing nearby, overhearing him, were quick to join the chorus.
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“Yeah, isn’t tonight’s event supposed to require proof of funds? The Nelsons are bankrupt–where would she even get the money to buy anything here?”
“She’s flat broke. What’s she even doing here? Maybe she really is here to pocket something.”
“Has Cantrell Auction House lowered its standards this much? Letting people from bankrupt families through the door- what a shame.”
The whispers multiplied, every look thrown Sabrina’s way sharp with contempt.
Preston folded his arms, wearing that perfect, smug villain expression.
Alisa, watching from the side, could only think what a pity it was she hadn’t brought popcorn to enjoy the show.
Sabrina gave a cold laugh. “If I was invited in, Preston, would you care to eat the invitation?”
She pulled an invitation from her bag and held it up. The chatter died instantly.
Preston’s brows shot up–he hadn’t expected her to have one for real.
“How did you-”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover!” Sabrina’s voice rang out, clear and sharp, in front of everyone.
Alisa caught the dark shift in Preston’s expression–he was already at the brink, ready to question whether that invitation was
real.
She rose from her seat before he could take it further.
“Hold on.”
Both Sabrina and Preston turned toward her.
Sabrina’s brow creased ever so slightly. Clearly, she hadn’t expected Alisa to be here tonight.
Their last encounter–when Alisa had stepped into the chaos at Cordelia’s wedding—had left its mark. If not for Alisa, Sabrina would have made her grand exit in style, rather than ending up ridiculed alongside Cordelia.
“Ms. Nelson,” Alisa said with an easy smile, “long time no see.”
Sabrina’s gaze dropped briefly. “Hardly. It’s only been two weeks.”
“Then I’m glad you remember me,” Alisa replied. “My cousin was a little hot–headed just now–please don’t take it personally.”
Sabrina arched a brow. “I won’t–if he eats the invitation.”
Preston’s temper spiked instantly. “And who exactly do you think you are?”
Sabrina didn’t flare up–she laughed instead. “So, one hopeless romantic in your family isn’t enough? Now you’ve got someone with anger issues, too? What is your family–a mental hospital?”
Her words were calculated, each one designed to goad Preston into exploding.
But she hadn’t counted on Alisa stepping in and shifting the momentum.
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Chapter 11 A Hidden Agenda
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Alisa moved quickly, catching Preston by the arm before he could cross the line.
“Preston, calm down.”
Then she turned to Sabrina and said, “Ms. Nelson, I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place.”
Sabrina assumed it was another jab about her lack of status to show up at the event.
She smiled with a mix of mockery and disdain. “And who are you to say that?”
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“This,” Alisa said evenly, “is the main auction hall. Everyone here is either staff or a registered bidder. Which are you?”
Sabrina paused, lips tightening.
“If I’m not mistaken,” Alisa went on, “your invitation is green. That’s not for this room. Your seat is elsewhere.”
The remark drew curious glances from the surrounding guests and a sharp look from Preston.
Their invitations were all black with gold foil, while Sabrina’s was green with gold foil. Similar design, different color.
In the past, every invitation had been the same black–and–gold style.
No one knew why they’d been color–coded this time.
Clearly, Sabrina hadn’t noticed until now. Her eyes flicked to the invitations in other guests‘ hands, surprise flashing across her face.
Preston’s smile turned cold. “Different color, different access. So what are you doing in the auction hall? Seems to me you’re either here to take something that isn’t yours, or you’ve got another hidden agenda.”
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