Jane didn’t lift her paddle, neither did anyone else.
“Going to paddle zero, zero, one…once, do I have two point five? Twice?”
Thankfully Jane thrust her paddle into the air. “Two point five million.”
“Sold!” Charles beamed.
Brock let out a breath and mouthed thank you to Jane, who beamed like she’d just won the lottery when it was he who was the winner—the lucky one.
“STOP!” a voice shrieked from the corner. “Stop the auction!”
Oh, hell.
Both of Jane’s sisters came barreling toward the stage, the blond one in such a skintight dress she could barely walk, while the dark-haired one had a slinky black number that was nearly identical to Nadine’s in cut and style.
“She’s an imposter!” The blonde shrieked.
“And who, my dear, are you?” Grandfather asked loudly.
She straightened. “We’re her sisters and I can tell you right now, unless she robbed a bank, she has no money. You’ve all seen the news! This is a setup, a complete setup! Brock obviously gave her money to bid on him! And that’s illegal.”
“No, it isn’t,” Charles said simply. “And even if it were, every person had to prove where their money came from at the beginning of the auction when they received their paddles and registered. This is Jane’s money. It’s not up to us to ask where she got it.”
Jane looked ready to crawl underneath the table and hide. Everyone was staring at her like she’d grown two heads. Some women had kind expressions while others were venomous, just like her sisters.
But again.
It was all part of the plan.
And he needed her to trust him.
She’d helped him make peace with his demons.
Now it was time to make peace with hers—in the flesh. Though he hadn’t thought it would be this public. He should have suspected as much when he’d donated the tickets for her sisters to attend.
His only goal had been to make sure that they were out of their minds with jealousy when Jane won the bidding—and when they looked ready to attack, he was going to be at her side, holding her hand.
Essence’s nostrils flared. “She’s a liar! And a fake.”
Esmeralda started to fake cry. “She’s such a horrible person. She makes us cook and clean for her and we don’t even have money for food most of the time because—”
“That’s enough,” Jane snapped and marched over to them. “Get out.” She pointed to the door.
Brock was just getting ready to open his mouth or possibly slap a woman or two for the first time in his life when Essence backed up. “See? She doesn’t have a decent bone in her body!”
Jane sighed and shook her head. “Give us a minute?”
Brock nodded as Jane walked away with her sisters. His grandfather tried to gain the attention of the crowd again, but everyone was fixated on the corner where Jane was currently talking to both sisters, her hands animated and in the air.
Sighing, he started to make his way over to her when Essence slapped Jane across the face.
Esmeralda cupped her hands over her mouth in shock.
Essence looked shocked as well.
Jane cupped her face with the palm of her hand.
Brock was at her side in seconds. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
“I-I think so.” She frowned at Essence. “You slapped me!”
“I’m sorry, I…” Tears filled Essence’s eyes.
Jealousy was an ugly thing.
Her sisters stood frozen in place while Jane stared down at the ground, her hand still covering her cheek. “I don’t want to see you guys again.”
Essence shook her head. “I didn’t mean it, I didn’t mean to I just—”
“Leave.” Jane’s hand fell from her face. “Or I’ll have security escort you out. And the last thing you want is to be even more embarrassed than you already are.”
“But,” Esmeralda gaped. “We’re family! Family sticks together, you’ve always said that!”
“And I’ve always been the glue that kept us together. Do you realize how exhausting it is taking care of you guys? I love you but I’m not your maid.”
Brock wanted to applaud.
“Could have fooled me,” Essence said under her breath.
Brock had had enough. He motioned for security. Within minutes they were at the girls’ sides, escorting them out amidst screaming and name-calling.
If anyone wondered who the crazy one was they didn’t need to look any further than Jane’s sisters.
Jane stood there, calmly taking it all in.
“Would the winner of Brock Wellington please come to the stage immediately.” Grandfather said into the microphone.
“I choose you.” Brock whispered in Jane’s ear. “I will always choose you.”
He didn’t want to release her, but he knew his grandfather was most likely trying to do damage control; he just wasn’t sure how he was going to accomplish it.
Slowly, Jane walked up the stairs to the stage, head held high. Brock followed close behind.
The minute Jane was on the stage, Grandfather grabbed her hand and kissed it.