From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Caelan’s POV

‘Four point five million.”

I raised my paddle without hesitation.

A ripple of whispers swept through the auction hall. Someone behind me muttered about “insane rich people,” but I ignored them completely. My attention stayed fixed on the pink diamond necklace displayed under the spotlights.

Several rows back, I heard Darrell’s voice crack slightly: “Five million!”

This bankrupt dog drowning in debt actually dares to compete with me? His pack probably can’t even pay next month’s salaries.

I almost laughed. The pathetic excuse for an Alpha thought he could match Blackwood resources. If he wanted to humiliate himself publicly, I was more than happy to watch.

F

‘Five point five million.” My voice carried easily through the silent hall.

Camila’s urgent whisper reached even my enhanced hearing: “Darrell, this is crazy! We can’t afford-”

‘Six million! Darrell’s shout drowned out her protests.

I glanced back over my shoulder. His face had turned an alarming shade of red, veins bulging along his temples as he gripped his paddle.

Look at him. Sweating like a cornered animal. His pack is hemorrhaging money and he’s throwing away millions on a dick-measuring contest.

I was reaching for my paddle again when Sable’s hand covered mine.

‘Caelan. It’s not worth it,” she shook her head.

I nodded, my grip relaxing on the paddle. “You’re absolutely right.”

The auctioneer’s voice boomed across the stunned silence: “Six million once… six million twice…” He paused, scanning the room for any final bids. “Sold! To bidder number forty-seven for six million dollars!”

Applause scattered through the audience, but most faces wore expressions of bewilderment rather than appreciation. The bidding had gone so far beyond the necklace’s actual value.

I deliberately turned in my seat to face Darrell. His chest heaved with exertion and adrenaline, but his eyes blazed with triumphant satisfaction. The idiot actually thought he’d won something meaningful.

As our gazes met, Darrell pushed himself to his feet with theatrical flourish. He raised one hand in an exaggerated victory gesture, his grin wide and mocking as he stared directly at me.

Sable’s POV

Two hours later, I stood in front of the ladies’ room mirror applying lip gloss while Caelan finished the paperwork for our purchases. He’d insisted on buying me three necklaces, two pairs of earrings, and a delicate tennis bracelet after the pink diamond incident.

The bathroom door swung open behind me. In the mirror, I watched Camila enter. The moment she spotted me, her expression shifted from neutral to hostile.

She chose the sink directly next to mine despite the empty room, dropping her clutch on the marble counter with deliberate force. The sharp sound echoed

off the tiled walls.

“Well, well. Her voice dripped with venom. “If it isn’t the King’s little pet.”

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Chapter 73

I continued applying my lip gloss without responding. Her reflection glared at me through the mirror.

“You really think you’re special, don’t you?” Camila’s tone grew uglier. “Just another toy for him to play with until he gets bored. And trust me, honey, he will get bored.*

I capped the lip gloss slowly, meeting her eyes in the mirror. ‘Is there a point to this?”

“The point,” she hissed, ‘is that you’re deluding yourself. You’re nothing more than a temporary distraction. He’ll toss you aside the moment something newer comes along.”

Her voice rose slightly, gaining confidence from my silence. “Look at what my Darrell just did for me! Six million dollars without hesitation. That’s what real devotion looks like.”

She gestured toward the auction hall beyond the bathroom doors. “Your precious King wouldn’t even buy you that necklace. He let another man take it right from under his nose. What does that tell you about how much you matter to him?”

I turned away from the mirror to face her directly. “Are you finished?”

“Hardly. Camila’s smile turned vicious. “I’m just getting started, sweetheart.”

She stepped closer, invading my personal space. “You want to know what real love looks like? Darrell just spent more money than most people see in a lifetime, all because I mentioned liking that necklace. Meanwhile, your King sat there like a coward and let it happen.”

“Interesting perspective.” My voice stayed level. Though I notice you seem awfully interested in my relationship with Caelan for someone who supposedly has such a devoted boyfriend.”

Her smile faltered slightly.

€

“And speaking of devotion, I continued, “didn’t Darrell propose to me just a few days ago? Something about wanting to leave you for his ‘true love’?”

The color drained from Camila’s face. “That’s… you’re lying.”

“Am I?” I tilted my head slightly. “He seemed pretty serious about it. Went on and on about how he’d never stopped loving me.”

“Stop.” Her voice came out strangled.

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“He even bought a ring. Did he tell you about that? Or are you still pretending you don’t know he’s been calling me, begging me to take him back?”

Camila’s composure cracked completely. You lying cunt!”

Her hand shot out, fingers clawing toward my face.

I caught her wrist mid-swing, my grip tightening until she gasped. Her other hand flailed uselessly as I twisted her arm, forcing her to bend forward.

‘Let go!” she squealed, trying to pull away. “You’re hurting me!

“Good.” I leaned down close to her ear. “Let me make something very clear, Camila.”

I increased the pressure on her wrist until tears sprang to her eyes. ‘If you ever try to lay a hand on me again, I will make sure everyone in this city knows exactly what kind of desperate, pathetic creature you really are.”

“Stop, please-”

‘I could destroy your reputation with a single phone call. My voice stayed deadly calm. “Your little fantasy life with Darrell? Gone. Your standing in society? Ruined. All it would take is one word from me.”

She whimpered, her knees starting to buckle from the awkward angle.

“So here’s what’s going to happen,” I continued. “You’re going to stay away from me. You’re going to keep your venomous little mouth shut. And if you’re smart, you’ll start looking for a backup plan, because we both know Darrell’s affections are about as reliable as his financial situation.”

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Chapter 73

I released her wrist suddenly. Camila stumbled backward, catching herself against the sink counter. Her face was pale and streaked with tears, one hand

cradling her reddened wrist.

“Consider this your only warning. I picked up my purse from the counter. ‘Next time, I won’t be so gentle.”

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