Barlor Wayne was the most powerful man in Celest City, a figure everyone respected or feared, depending on where they stood. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Dr. Kenny was in shambles, his hands trembling as he fumbled with his phone. He tried dialing the same number over and over, but only after the fourth attempt did he get it right.
His voice shook as he spoke, "Sir, she's losing a lot of blood, and we've run out of the necessary supplies. Please, if you can, come see her one last time."
The response was ice-cold. "She's not dead yet? Call me when she is," the voice on the other end replied, cutting the call before Dr. Kenny could say another word.
Lying on the hospital bed, Linda Autumn's heart sank into despair. Was this really how little she meant to him? Even now, when she was barely holding onto life, Barlor couldn't be bothered to see her?
The beeping from the machine grew louder, then flatlined. Linda felt the last bit of strength drain from her body, her spirit slipping away. She was only twenty-seven, and this was how it ended—in a sterile hospital room, alone, after giving everything she had for a man who didn't care.
In her final moments, she thought about how she had loved Barlor deeply, how she had thrown away her birthright as the Autumn family's only daughter for him. But that love had led her here, to a tragic and lonely death.
Her vision blurred, and she let her eyes close for the last time. If she could do it over, she wouldn't make the same mistakes. She wouldn't choose him again.
Then, unexpectedly, she heard a voice. "Madam, Mr. Wayne wants to take you to the auction tonight. What would you like to wear?"
Linda opened her eyes. It was Allie Lowe, her assistant. The scene around her was too familiar—it was Barlor's mansion, their home. This was shortly after they got married, a time when she still believed they could have a real marriage.
But that was five years ago. What was happening? Was this some kind of dream, or had she been given another chance?
Allie held up a white gown, her expression hopeful. "This one, maybe?"
Linda remembered how she used to dress in white because that's what Viole Stale, the woman Barlor truly loved, always wore. She had foolishly tried to mimic Viole, hoping to catch Barlor's eye.
But not this time. Linda glanced at the dress, then shook her head. "No. I'll wear this instead," she said, picking out a bright red gown from the closet.
Allie looked concerned. "But Mr. Wayne prefers the white…"
Linda smiled faintly, almost bitterly. "I don't care. Get rid of all the white dresses. I never liked them."
Allie hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "As you wish, Madam."
Linda stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was still young, still beautiful. But she knew how this story ended if she followed the same path. She was determined to change it.
That evening, Linda dressed in the crimson gown, the rich color accentuating her every curve. Her makeup was flawless, her hair styled into soft waves that framed her face. A beauty mark just below her eye added a touch of allure. She was striking, like a vision from a painting.
As she walked into the auction hall, she felt all eyes turn toward her, including those of Fern Lane, a man known for his sharp wit and even sharper tongue. He took in her appearance with keen interest.
"Who is that?" Fern asked, intrigued.
Vardy Foster, his friend and notorious playboy, grinned beside him. "That's Linda Autumn, Barlor Wayne' wife. But rumor has it Barlor's here with another woman. We might just see some fireworks tonight."
Fern didn't reply, his attention fixed on Linda as she moved gracefully through the crowd.
Inside the venue, Viole Stale clung nervously to Barlor's arm, her white dress a stark contrast to the vibrant colors around her. "I'm not sure I should be here," she murmured, uncertainty in her voice.
Barlor, ever composed, replied, "You'll get used to it. You'll be attending more of these in the future."
As they approached the main entrance, Barlor's secretary, Larry Lewis, stepped forward. "Mr. Wayne, isn't Madam supposed to join you tonight?"
Barlor's face hardened. "I told you to tell her not to come."
Larry glanced at Viole, who quickly interjected, "I asked Larry not to. I didn't want people talking about us. It seemed better for Linda to accompany you instead."
Barlor sighed, rubbing his temples. The last thing he wanted was Linda showing up tonight.
"Mr. Wayne," Viole whispered, her voice tinged with worry.
"It's fine," Barlor replied, though his irritation was clear. He turned to Larry. "Go outside and stop her. Make sure she's sent back home if you see her."
But before Larry could move, a ripple of shock passed through the crowd.
"It's too late," Larry said quietly, his eyes wide as he saw Linda enter the hall.
Barlor's eyes followed Larry's, narrowing as they both noticed the striking splash of red among the crowd. Linda stood out in a wine-red gown that accentuated her every movement. Whether she smiled or furrowed her brow, every gesture seemed to captivate those around her. The media cameras focused on her as if she were a movie star on a red carpet.
It took Barlor a moment to realize that the woman in red was Linda. This was not the Linda he was used to seeing—the Linda who favored soft, understated colors and simple styles. Tonight, she was a revelation.
Beside him, Viole's face paled. This was her first time seeing Linda in person, and the contrast between them was stark. Where Linda exuded sophistication and allure, Viole seemed young, almost out of place, like a schoolgirl who had wandered into the wrong event.
"She's… beautiful," Viole murmured, unable to hide the tinge of envy in her voice.
Linda had already spotted Barlor and Viole. With calm composure, she walked toward them, her smile never faltering. Viole expected Linda to be shocked or embarrassed upon seeing Barlor with another woman, but Linda's demeanor remained unruffled, as if she had anticipated this moment.
"Is that Mrs. Wayne? Then who's the girl beside Mr. Wayne?" one of the reporters whispered, adding to the murmur of curiosity that followed Linda's every step.
When Linda reached them, she slipped her hand into Barlor's and turned to Viole with a gracious smile. "You must be Viole, the student Barlor mentioned. I'm Linda. You can call me Mrs. Wayne."
Viole, feeling the weight of the title Linda had just introduced herself with, awkwardly released Barlor's arm and shook Linda's hand. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wayne," she managed, though the words felt like a thorn in her throat.
"I hear you're planning to study abroad soon?" Linda asked, her tone polite but distant.
Viole shot a nervous glance at Barlor, who quickly intervened. "Viole is top of her class. She's set to study abroad this year, but she's a little nervous about it. I brought her here tonight to give her some exposure."
It was clear to Linda that Barlor hadn't yet fallen deeply for Viole. That would come later, after Viole returned from studying abroad. But even now, he was parading Viole around at events, making it obvious to everyone in Celest City that he had a particular interest in this young student.
None of it mattered to Linda anymore. She wasn't here to compete for Barlor's affection. She had a different goal tonight.
"Well then, Barlor, do take care of Ms. Stale. I'll head inside," Linda said, releasing his hand with a slight nod.
Barlor blinked in surprise. This was not the reaction he expected from Linda. By the time he recovered, she had already entered the auction hall, leaving him standing there, confused.
Since when had the fiery, defiant Linda become so composed, so detached?
Linda took a seat in a quieter corner of the hall. The room was filled with Celest's elite, all gathered for the auction. Linda recalled that there was a piece of land on offer tonight, a neglected plot that no one seemed interested in. But she remembered its future—how a small business owner had bought it for a song and later turned it into a fortune when the surrounding area was developed. That land had become prime real estate, and the once-unknown businessman had risen to power because of it.
If she was going to leave Barlor, Linda needed to start planning for a future on her own terms.
Meanwhile, Barlor was scanning the room, trying to locate Linda. Viole, sitting beside him, noticed his distraction. "Mr. Wayne… Are you sure you want me to bid tonight?" she asked, trying to bring his focus back to her.
"Yes," Barlor replied, his tone distant as his mind lingered on Linda. "I trust your judgment."
Viole blushed with pride. She had worked hard for this moment, studying finance in anticipation of playing a bigger role in Barlor's life.
From her seat on the second floor, Linda watched Barlor and Viole exchange quiet words, their heads close together. She knew that Viole had talent—that was one of the reasons Barlor eventually fell for her. In her previous life, Viole had impressed Barlor by securing a valuable piece of land at an auction just like this one. But Linda also knew that the land was already valuable because of the Wayne' other developments in the area. Viole had simply pushed the price up with Barlor's money, making it seem like a brilliant move.
The auction began, and Viole, bolstered by Barlor's confidence in her, started bidding aggressively. She won three prime properties in quick succession, each time glancing at Barlor for approval, which he gave readily.
"The New Moon Project, starting bid at one billion dollars," the auctioneer announced.
Without hesitation, Linda's voice cut through the room. "Two billion."
Gasps rippled through the audience. Barlor's brow furrowed as he turned to look at Linda. What was she playing at?
Viole leaned in close, whispering, "That land isn't worth much. Linda is going to lose a fortune on that bid."
Barlor pulled out his phone and quickly typed a message to Linda. "What are you doing?"
Linda glanced at the message on her phone, but she didn't respond.
"Two billion going once… Twice…" The auctioneer's voice echoed through the hall.
Fern Lane, sitting a few rows behind Barlor, raised his paddle. "Three billion."
Vardy Foster, sitting beside Fern, nearly choked on his drink. "Fern, have you lost your mind?"
Linda's eyes flicked up to see who was challenging her bid. When she saw Fern, she frowned. Why was he interested in this piece of land? She vaguely recalled that Fern had connections to some shady industries, but since when had he started investing in real estate?
"Four billion," Linda said calmly, raising the stakes.
Barlor's frown deepened. He quickly typed another message. "Linda, stop this right now."
Linda didn't even glance at her phone this time. She turned it off and focused back on the auction.
"Five billion," Fern countered, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
Linda's temper flared. Fine, if he wanted to play this game, she'd play.
"Ten billion," she declared, her voice unwavering.
The room erupted in whispers. "She's lost it. No land is worth that much!"
Even Barlor, usually composed, stood up in shock. What on earth was Linda thinking?
Fern looked across at Linda, his smirk widening. He raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "I'm out."
"Ten billion going once… Twice… Sold!" the auctioneer announced, his gavel coming down with finality.
Linda let out a breath, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration. The land was hers, but she had spent far more than necessary thanks to Fern's meddling.
Vardy nudged Fern, laughing. "You're lucky she didn't jump across the room and throttle you. I know I would."
Fern just shrugged, unbothered by the ordeal.
Meanwhile, Viole tugged on Barlor's sleeve. "Mr. Wayne, Linda's going to bankrupt you at this rate."
Barlor's expression was cold. "She made the bid. She'll deal with the consequences herself."