"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us this evening. We now present the highlight and final piece of tonight's auction" the auctioneer said, a poised man in a crisp black suit.
The grand hall buzzed with anticipation as collectors, critics, and art enthusiasts took their seats, their murmurs blending into a soft hum. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in warm, golden light, reflecting off the polished mahogany floors.
At the center of the stage, an easel stood proudly, draped in velvet, concealing the masterpiece that had drawn such an elite crowd.
With a theatrical flourish, the cloth was pulled away, revealing a breathtaking painting. The room fell silent. The stormy seascape, rendered with fierce yet delicate brushstrokes, depicted waves crashing beneath a blood-red sky, where fireflies flickered like embers in the night. It was hauntingly beautiful—a piece that embodied both chaos and serenity.
Gasps rippled through the audience. No one knew the artist's identity, but that no longer mattered. The painting's raw energy spoke for itself.
"We will start the bidding at fifty thousand dollars," the auctioneer announced.
A paddle shot up instantly. "Fifty thousand."
"Sixty," another voice called.
"Seventy-five." An older gentleman near the front raised his number without hesitation.
The bidding escalated rapidly, numbers climbing higher and higher as the tension thickened in the air. Some bidders exchanged sharp glances, silently measuring each other's resolve. Others remained calm, only lifting their paddles at the precise moment.
Amidst the frenzy, two figures sat off to the side, out of the direct gaze of the crowd. Luna, dressed in a sleek black gown that accentuated her natural elegance, exuded an air of quiet confidence. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, and though her presence was striking, no one in the room knew who she truly was. To the collectors, she was just another wealthy bidder—an anonymous patron of the arts.
At her side, Nina, dressed in a deep blue ensemble, leaned in, whispering with excitement. Luna and Nina had been friends since high school, and over the years, they had become inseparable. Nina always looked out for Luna, and they had supported each other through thick and thin. Nina had witnessed every chapter of Luna's life, and even now, she works for her.
"This is one of the best works you've created so far," Nina murmured, barely containing her awe. "You didn't even show it to me. When did you prepare it?"
Luna's lips curved slightly, her gaze fixed on the painting. "What can I do? Dad told me we needed one for this anniversary," she replied nonchalantly.
Nina let out an exasperated sigh. "Still, you could've at least given me a sneak peek! The fact that no one here knows it's yours is insane."
Before Luna could respond, a voice rang clear through the murmurs: "Two hundred thousand."
All heads turned toward the woman in the emerald gown—a composed figure whose expression was unreadable and whose confidence was unwavering.
"Two-fifty," countered a man in the back, his voice laced with challenge.
The bidding war continued, the stakes rising with each call.
"It seems this man doesn't want to lose" Nina smirked.
"He won't win," Luna replied calmly. "He only bids to stir up his wife, opposing bidder and besides, he doesn't have enough money. I heard he recently was investing on some new project.
Mrs. Harwell is going to win."
"What?! They're husband and wife... bidding against each other?" Nina's eyes widened in disbelief.
"His wife has more money and assets than him. His net worth is only half of hers," Luna whispered with a smirk.
Nina raised an eyebrow after hearing such detailed information. "How do you know that?"
Luna glanced at her with a knowing smirk. "If you want to run a business, you should run some background checks."
"Five hundred thousand," the woman declared without a hint of hesitation. A murmur spread across the room.
Silence.
The opposing bidder hesitated, then lowered his paddle.
"Five hundred thousand, going once," the auctioneer's voice rang.
A pause. No new bids.
"Going twice…"
"Going thrice…"
The gavel came down. "Sold!". Applause filled the room.
Nina leaned in, whispering, "I can't believe you're just sitting here, acting all calm when your work just sold for half a million."
Luna only gave a small smirk. "It's not about the money."
Nina sighed dramatically. "Of course, it's not. But still, Luna, this—this is incredible."
Luna's gaze drifted toward the winning bidder, who admired the painting with satisfaction. Her work had found a home, yet she felt no attachment. After all, this was just another piece of the story—one she had crafted to keep the past at bay.
As the final gavel strike echoed through the grand hall, the crowd slowly began to disperse. The murmurs of collectors and art enthusiasts filled the air, some still discussing the masterpiece that had just been auctioned. Waiters moved gracefully through the room, offering glasses of champagne to celebrate the successful evening.
Near the front, Mr. Kim stood beside Ms. Harwell, engaged in a quiet conversation.
"I never ask about your artists, but this time, I have to know. This is the most beautiful piece you've ever sold," Ms. Harwell said.
Mr. Kim Jaesuk smiled warmly and called over a young woman who was standing nearby.
She wore a sleek, midnight-black gown that hugged her slender frame, the fabric flowing like liquid silk down to the floor. A subtle slit along the side revealed just a hint of her long, graceful legs, adding a touch of allure to her otherwise sophisticated presence. The delicate off-shoulder design accentuated her collarbones, where a thin diamond necklace rested, its sparkle understated yet mesmerizing.
But it was her eyes that held the real magic—deep, enigmatic pools of midnight, framed by long, dark lashes. They carried the weight of untold stories, an unshaken resilience beneath their mesmerizing beauty.
The warm glow of the chandelier reflected against the diamond earrings dangling just below her earlobes, catching the light with every subtle movement.
She was a perfect contradiction—delicate yet unyielding, soft yet untouchable. Her beauty just captivated Mrs. Harwell.
"Your work is just like your beauty. It's amazing. I'll find the perfect place for it. Don't worry," Mrs. Harwell said.
At that moment, Mrs. Kim, Soojin, interrupted the conversation. "We apologize for the confusion, Mrs. Harwell. Let me introduce her. She's our daughter, Luna," Mrs. Kim said smoothly, placing a gentle hand on Luna's arm.
"We brought her here today so she can learn to manage the gallery in the future, but the painting isn't hers."
Mrs. Harwell turned, her piercing gaze settling on Luna with curiosity. "Ah, so you're Mr. Kim's daughter," she said smoothly, offering a polite smile. "Your family's gallery has been making waves lately. Quite the competition for DrawBeyond."
"You have such a pretty daughter. Why didn't you show her to to the world until now? She's a beauty."
Luna remained silent, her expression unreadable, and greeted Mrs. Harwell with polite manners as she excused herself for the night.
Nina, watching from the side, clenched her fists, barely holding back her frustration. She knew Luna deserved recognition for her work, but as always, her family refused to let her step out of the shadows.
"You did a great job, LuLu. I'm proud of you. Go home and get some rest," they said, their eyes showing love for her.
As she was about to leave, a woman with a fierce expression and a luxurious bag walked quickly toward them.
"It seems like quite the party here."
She looked at Luna. "Finally, you started showing her to the world."
"How are you doing, sister-in-law?" Mrs. Kim said, taking a step forward. This woman was none other than Jae's mother, Ms. Eunha Lee.
Luna, a little confused, felt an odd familiarity in her voice but couldn't quite place her.
"Do you think I'm doing well after what your family did to us?" the woman said, her sharp eyes filled with pain.
"Eunha, let's not talk about that here," a voice came from behind her. It was her husband, Mr. Lee Sungmin—biological brother to Mrs. Kim and best friend/brother-in-law to Mr. Kim.
"Why is DrawBeyond's CEO here? Aren't these two rivals?" a man in the crowd whispered.
"Oh, I think you don't know. That woman, Mrs. Kim, is the own sister of Mr. Lee, CEO of The DrawBeyond Art Gallery. It was once a shared venture but split in two, and the families became bitter rivals, competing against each other at every turn," another man replied.
"What made them split the family?" another man commented as they walked past them.
"Why shouldn't I talk here? Why? are you afraid that the buried truth will come out?" Eunha Lee said in agony.
"Sister-in-law..." Mrs. Kim said with teary, fearful eyes.
A moment of silence fell over the room.
That was when Mr. Kim sighed and signaled for Nina to take Luna home. Realizing this, Nina approached them and said, "LuLu, we need to go."
Luna, still looking at them and not moving an inch, noticed that they were in some kind of pain. Their words and eyes didn't seem to align.
Mrs. Kim glanced at Luna and said, "LuLu, go home with Nina." With her mother's firm tone, Luna couldn't resist. She started walking out of the venue, her mind filled with unanswered questions.