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I paused and stepped back as the clapping started up again My eyes were still fixed on Aiden, but he had his head down, as if he was busy texting A frown oing to let Aiden take this away froht I was so hopeful about all this, even if my mom and stepfather disapproved I knew that I’d never inherit any of the Durant money, and this was my oay forward

The Sotheby’sto start at 10,000 Right away a few paddles went up My wholeto be an a forfor a movie star to pick me, and then I’d be a household name

The nu, though he dropped out pretty quickly I guess he picked up on ht At soest entry so far I was so elated that it took ister someone yell out

“100,000”

Athat for once it ho I wanted And it was ! I gasped whenthe paddle into the air The Sothebyhis eyebrows, he paused, but nobody said anything at all

“Going once… going twice… Sold! To number 416 Please make your way over to the side here to finalize your contribution”

I walked over in a daze, shocked not only by the fact that I had e contribution, but by who had bid on irl, this one offering to give a full body makeover

As I walked up slowly to the desk at the side, I could see Aiden all by hiht My steps were sloasn’t sure I was ready to face him After all, ever since he’d come back, he’d paid me very little attention He didn’t even to care one way or another what I was doing, and when he had, it was never good So to find that he had won oing to throw any party at a

ll, and that would not be a good start for my business

“Now please just sign here,” the lady at the table said

I wanted to pull hi before he did, but it was too late anyways The auction had alreadya second chance At least, not without a lot of embarrassment and questions

“Here you go,” Aiden replied as he finished up and handed over a check

“Thank you I know that Celebrate Life will be very grateful for your generosity!”

He smiled and shook the lady’s hand, then turned around to face ave

“Sis! Have I told you how proud I a your oay?”