Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 83

The internet connection was perfectly fine.

She simply hadn't sent him a message.

Tyler pressed his lips together.

"Tyler?" Vivienne, sitting beside him, noticed the change in his expression and called his name. "Is something wrong?"

He closed his eyes, slipped his phone back into his pocket, and when he opened them again, his gaze was calm and collected.

He shook his head, though under the table, his hand had curled into a tight fist.

…

Time slipped by as one auction item after another was brought out and swiftly claimed by eager bidders.

At these charity auctions hosted by Donovan Group, donors could set the percentage of their proceeds to be given, but the organizers liked to group items with the same donation rate together. So, aside from a few exceptions specifically marked, every item at tonight's benefit gala came with a 70% donation to charity.

Only the very first item—a warm-up antique—had a different rate at 50%. The rest, all 70%.

Given the Donovan Group's reputation, anything displayed on the main stage was undeniably valuable.

Vivienne watched as each item was presented, but she didn't raise her paddle—everything was far too expensive.

She wanted to show Tyler that she was independent, that she could spend her own money, but she wasn't about to drain her bank account just to prove a point.

Finally, just before the intermission, something caught her eye.

"Our next item is a tanzanite gemstone," the auctioneer announced. "After evaluation, its value is estimated at no less than one million dollars. The details are as follows…"

As the auctioneer spoke, the deep blue stone was brought out, its surface catching the light gorgeously.

The lighting in the Donovan Group's ballroom was just right; at the appearance of the tanzanite, every eye in the room was drawn to it.

This was no ordinary stone. Its clarity and color were exceptional—stunning, really.

In the movie Titanic, the Heart of the Ocean necklace worn by the heroine was supposed to be a blue diamond, but in reality, the prop was made from tanzanite. Looking at this particular gemstone, still uncut and unpolished, one couldn't help but think of that legendary jewel.

But now…

When she learned the proceeds tonight would help children suffering from illness, she decided to let the stone go.

Maybe, in some small way, it could do good for another child. Maybe it would bring a little peace to the one she'd lost.

Beneath the lights, the deep blue gem shimmered with a quiet radiance.

"The starting bid for this tanzanite is seven hundred thousand, with each raise to be in increments of—"

Before the auctioneer finished, a paddle shot up. The number on the digital board flashed.

"Bidder number 888, at eight hundred thousand."

At the mention of 888—a number reserved for only the most distinguished guests—the entire room turned to see who held the paddle.

And there sat Vivienne, holding it high.