Homecoming Queen: Watch Her Take Control Free Preview

A black luxury sedan rolled slowly away from the orphanage gates.

Cassia Wood sat in the back seat, her posture straight but relaxed, head slightly lowered as she scrolled through her phone. Her face was calm—almost too calm—like someone used to keeping her emotions locked away.

Her phone suddenly buzzed.

A message popped up:

"Boss, any new plans lately? The guys miss you."

Cassia's slender fingers moved across the screen with effortless speed.

"I've left the orphanage. If you need me, come to Zrario. I'm taking a break for now."

The reply came almost instantly.

"Zrario? Boss, what's there? Some big job waiting for you or something?"

Cassia paused for half a second before typing back.

"No. I'm going home."

There was a long pause on the other end.

Then the messages came flooding in.

"Wait—what?

You're joking, right?

Boss, you're an orphan! You grew up in that orphanage! Since when do you have a home to go back to?"

Cassia didn't respond.

She slipped the phone into her pocket and turned her head toward the window.

Outside, the city drifted by in a blur of fading sunlight.

Inside the car, the silence was almost heavy.

Geneva, the elegant woman sitting beside her, still looked a little emotional. She had noticed Cassia texting earlier but didn't want to interrupt. Now that the girl had put her phone away, Geneva finally gathered the courage to speak.

She gently reached out and took Cassia's hand.

But Cassia pulled away instantly, almost like a reflex.

The movement was quick—too quick.

Cassia caught the flash of hurt in Geneva's eyes and lowered her gaze slightly.

"Sorry," she murmured softly. "I'm just… not used to being touched."

"That's okay, sweetheart."

Geneva's voice softened immediately, her smile warm and patient.

"I just wanted to tell you a little about the family."

She paused before continuing gently.

"You have two older brothers and two younger sisters. When we get home, everyone will love you."

Her voice was soothing, filling the quiet car like a soft lullaby.

By the time they were close to their destination, Cassia had a rough idea of the family she was supposedly returning to.

Honestly?

It sounded complicated.

The Wood family was one of the most powerful names in Zrario—equal in status and influence to the famous Ember family. Wealthy, respected, and backed by generations of legacy.

The current head of the family, Vance Wood, was the eldest of three brothers.

He already had four children.

With Cassia now found, that made five.

When Cassia heard that earlier, she had been genuinely stunned. She had even glanced at Geneva with a strange expression.

Everyone in the Wood family was accomplished—talented, successful, admired.

And then there was her.

Cassia had grown up struggling just to survive. Some days she couldn't even guarantee her next meal. She had no prestigious education, no glamorous background.

She was quiet. Withdrawn.

Geneva could clearly sense the insecurity buried deep inside the girl.

And it broke her heart.

Silently, she made a promise to herself.

As Cassia's mother, she would make up for every single thing her daughter had missed.

Everything.

…

The wealthy district of Zrario.

By the time the car pulled up to the estate, the sky had turned a warm shade of orange, the sunset casting long golden shadows across the grounds.

Geneva stepped out first, then walked around and opened the door for Cassia.

Cassia stepped out quietly and lifted her eyes.

Before her stood a four-story manor—massive, grand, almost castle-like.

The estate stretched across an enormous piece of land.

Even from the outside, the intricate vintage window carvings and elegant stone walls practically screamed wealth and old money.

Geneva noticed Cassia standing still for quite a while.

She sighed inwardly.

Poor child. She must be overwhelmed.

She probably had never seen a place like this before.

"Come on, sweetheart," Geneva said gently.

Cassia followed her inside the mansion without a word, her expression calm and unreadable.

It was dinner time.

Everyone except Vance and his eldest son, Aspen Wood, was already in the living room.

The space was enormous. The high ceilings made even the smallest sound echo faintly.

The moment Geneva and Cassia walked in, every pair of eyes in the room turned toward them.

Cassia's expression didn't change.

Calm. Cold. Impossible to read.

She didn't glance around the room or show the slightest curiosity about the luxurious surroundings.

At that moment, a lively young girl suddenly ran across the room and threw herself into Geneva's arms.

“Mommy!”

Her voice was sweet and playful.

"Where were you all day? I looked everywhere for you!"

She pouted dramatically, sounding both spoiled and adorable.

This was Danica Wood—the youngest child of the family.

Born to Geneva, she was the Wood family's little princess. Everyone spoiled her endlessly. Despite that, she was extremely smart and consistently ranked at the top of her class.

Before Geneva could answer, Danica suddenly noticed Cassia standing nearby.

Her brows immediately knitted together.

She looked Cassia up and down with blatant disdain.

"And who's this?" she scoffed. "Some bumpkin? Did you get lost or something? This is my house."

Cassia gave her a brief glance.

Her blue eyes were cool, distant, almost emotionless.

Then she turned to Geneva and asked flatly,

"Where's my room? I'd like to rest."

"Hmph!"

Danica's voice instantly jumped several pitches higher.

"A country girl like you thinks you can live in our manor?"

Her voice was loud enough that everyone in the living room heard it.

Heads turned immediately.

Eyes landed on Cassia.

"Danica, that's rude," Geneva said sharply.

"This is your sister, Cassia. You will not speak to her like that again."

She took a breath and continued.

"I went out today to bring her home."

Danica's face instantly flushed red with fury.

She shot Cassia a glare filled with disgust.

"She's not my sister!" she snapped. "She's a bumpkin!"

"My sister is Brie!"

She stomped her foot, spun around dramatically, and ran upstairs.

Before Geneva could say another word, a cold, authoritative voice suddenly cut through the room.

"Geneva, what on earth is wrong with you?"

"You think you can bring just anyone into this house?"

"And now you've made my precious granddaughter cry."

Cassia turned toward the voice.

At the base of the staircase stood an older woman.

Her hair was silver, but her posture was perfectly straight. Her sharp eyes missed nothing.

A necklace of vivid green emeralds rested against her neck, gleaming beneath the chandelier lights.

Her burgundy suit gave her an air of elegance, dignity—and unmistakable authority.

Even standing several steps away, her presence dominated the entire room.

There was no doubt.

She was the matriarch of the Wood family.

"Victoria, this is Cassia. I brought her home today."

Geneva spoke softly as she stepped forward, gently holding Cassia's hand. There was a trace of nervous respect in her voice.

Victoria Wood looked at them.

Her gaze was sharp and icy.

"Geneva," she said coldly, "you're still far too naïve."

"There are plenty of liars out there."

"Everyone knows our family is wealthy. Of course they all want a piece of it."

She let out a quiet scoff.

"You really think a child lost that many years ago could suddenly be found so easily?"

"Victoria, it's not a mistake. With technology these days—" Geneva began quickly.

"Hmph."

Victoria cut her off without hesitation.

"Stubborn and foolish."

She didn't even bother looking at them again as she walked toward the dining table.

Geneva stood frozen for a moment, her face burning with embarrassment.

Her mother-in-law's words had been harsh enough.

But saying them in front of Cassia made it even worse.

She turned quickly to check on her daughter.

Cassia's face remained calm and distant.

As if none of it mattered.

Just then, the front door opened.

Vance and Aspen had returned home.

The moment Vance saw Cassia, he stopped in his tracks.

The girl standing there was tall and slender.

Her long hair was tied into a simple ponytail. Her skin was pale and smooth like fresh snow.

Her features were delicate—almost unreal.

But what truly stood out were her blue eyes.

Quiet.

Sharp.

Carrying a faint sense of wild defiance that made her presence strangely intimidating.

She wore nothing more than a simple shirt tucked casually into a pair of jeans, revealing long, fair legs.

Vance suddenly remembered what Geneva had told him that morning.

The pieces slowly began to fall into place.

But still—

This wasn't what they had discussed.

His brows furrowed.

"Why is she here?" he asked coldly, impatience heavy in his voice.

"Vance, this is our daughter. Isn't she supposed to be here?"

Geneva finally snapped, the patience she had been holding onto all evening finally breaking.

"What daughter? Don't be ridiculous!" Vance shot back, his voice thick with irritation.

Ever since Cassia had walked into the house, the entire atmosphere had been thrown into chaos.

"Dad, please don't be angry."

A soft, soothing voice cut gently into the tension.

"Maybe Mom didn't realize at first, but if Cassia really is part of the family, that would actually be wonderful news." The girl spoke calmly, her tone gentle and considerate. "Still… we should probably be careful. There are a lot of people out there trying to scam wealthy families like ours."

Her words sounded perfectly reasonable, even kind.

But everyone in the room heard the implication behind them.

The speaker was Brie Wood—the family's third daughter, at least in everyone's eyes.

Brie's biological parents had died in a car accident when she was only six months old. Her father had been Vance's closest friend, so Vance had taken the baby in and raised her as his own.

He had given her everything.

The best education. The best tutors. The best opportunities.

And Brie had never disappointed him.

She was talented, elegant, polite—the kind of girl everyone naturally adored.

So when Brie spoke, people listened.

And everyone in the room understood exactly what she meant.

Cassia pressed her lips together.

A faint, almost amused smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Well…

This was getting interesting.

"Brie, you're such a sweet girl," Vance said warmly, his expression softening immediately.

"Oh right—you've got your concert tomorrow, don't you? I'll come watch."

Listening to Brie's calm, thoughtful words, his temper finally began to cool.

"Okay, Dad. I'll do my best."

Brie smiled shyly, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.

Danica crossed her arms and gave a mocking little laugh.

"Brie, you'll definitely be the best performer there—just like your idol, Arwing."

Her eyes flicked toward Cassia with deliberate disdain.

"Not like some girl from the country who probably doesn't even know what a piano is."

Her sarcasm dripped from every word.

Arwing?

Cassia almost laughed.

What a coincidence.

Her flawless face remained completely expressionless, though. She simply stood there quietly, as if none of the insults had anything to do with her.

To the others, however, her silence looked less like composure—and more like stupidity.

Vance's irritation flared up again as he looked at her.

"I'm tired," Cassia finally said, her voice calm but edged with impatience. "I'd like to rest."

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone stared at her like she had just committed some unforgivable offense.

The nerve.

How could she say something like that so casually?

Danica's eyes flashed with contempt. She chuckled softly and said lazily,

"There's a side wing behind the main house. It's nice and quiet there—perfect for someone like you to rest."

Her tone was dripping with mockery.

"Danica, what nonsense are you talking about?" Geneva snapped immediately. "That's the servants' quarters! How could you ask your sister to stay there?"

"I don't see what the problem is," Danica muttered under her breath, folding her arms stubbornly.

Victoria, who had been listening nearby, caught every word.

She joined in coldly.

"It's not like the side wing is worse than the orphanage she came from. Besides, you never really know what kind of person someone is."

Her eyes flicked briefly toward Cassia.

"Better to be cautious."

Geneva drew in a slow breath, gathering the courage she needed.

"Victoria, Cassia has finally come home. I've already prepared a room for her on the third floor," she said firmly.

"She's a good child—quiet and polite. She won't bother anyone."

Without waiting for another argument, Geneva turned to Cassia with a gentle smile.

"Come on, sweetheart. I'll take you upstairs."

The reactions she'd seen tonight had taken Geneva completely by surprise.

She had expected hesitation.

But she hadn't expected outright hostility.

And the thought that Cassia had to endure all of this on her very first day home made her chest ache.

Cassia followed Geneva upstairs to the third floor.

Her room was at the very end of the long hallway.

When Geneva opened the door, the space inside was spotless.

The bed was neatly made, soft cream curtains hung beside the windows, and the furniture had clearly been arranged with care.

"Cassia… I'm sorry," Geneva said quietly.

"They just don't understand you yet. They might sound harsh, but please don't take it to heart."

"It's fine. I didn't."

Cassia's answer came calmly, almost indifferently—like none of it had actually affected her at all.

Geneva let out a small breath of relief.

She felt grateful that her daughter was so understanding.

"Good girl," she said gently. "I'll go get you something to eat. You should rest for a while."

Meanwhile, downstairs, the dining room was anything but peaceful.

The conversation had turned into a storm.

"What a mood killer," Danica scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Now we've got a complete stranger living with us. It's so awkward."

"Mom's really lost it. With so many scammers out there, how does she know that girl didn't come here just for our money?"

"Danica, just ignore her," Victoria said coldly.

"Pretend she doesn't exist. I honestly don't know what your mother was thinking."

She frowned, deepening the lines on her face.

"Feeding one extra person is nothing. But letting her live here? Who knows what kind of trouble she might cause."

"What a mess…" Vance muttered, rubbing his temples.

"I heard she dropped out after middle school. No manners, no education."

"And now we're supposed to enroll her in a new school?"

The truth was, he didn't feel any fatherly affection toward this daughter at all.

Cassia's background information flashed through his mind.

Eighteen years old.

Terrible grades.

Constantly skipping class.

Disappeared for two whole years—supposedly doing odd jobs.

Only recently returned to the orphanage.

Who knew what she'd actually been doing during that time?

His life had been perfectly stable before.

His family was orderly, respectable.

Then suddenly, this daughter appeared out of nowhere and disrupted everything.

Blood ties meant nothing if you hadn't grown up together.

In reality, they were strangers.

And the truth was—

Vance knew exactly how she had gone missing all those years ago.

When it happened, he had known.

"Dad, I refuse to go to the same school as her!"

Danica exploded the moment she heard that Vance planned to enroll Cassia in school.

"That's humiliating!"

"What if people find out we're sisters? I'll be a laughingstock!"

She crossed her arms angrily.

"That bumpkin doesn't know anything about style or manners. She'll just drag me down!"

Both Danica and Brie attended Zrario High—the most prestigious school in the city.

Since they were close in age, they were in the same grade but different classes.

Brie was in the honors class, constantly ranking first or second—an academic superstar.

Danica was in the advanced class. While not quite at the top, she was still among the best students.

Vance took enormous pride in both girls.

Every parent-teacher conference ended with him grinning from ear to ear while other parents praised his daughters.

But now…

Cassia's sudden appearance felt like a ticking embarrassment waiting to explode.

"Sweetheart, let's talk about this later," Vance said gently, trying to calm Danica down.

Truthfully, he had no idea what to do either.

Downstairs, the house buzzed with chatter and laughter.

Upstairs, everything was quiet.

Too quiet.

Cassia lay on the bed with her eyes closed, the darkness of evening slowly filling the room.

Then suddenly—

Her phone rang.

She opened her eyes slowly, reached over, and answered.

"What is it?"

Her tone was calm and cool.

The man on the other end didn't seem bothered in the slightest. He was already used to her attitude.

“Cassia! You won't believe this—something big is showing up at tomorrow's McKenzie Auction."

His voice was excited, though he tried to keep it respectful.

"You coming?"

The caller was Jake Madron.

Cassia's trusted contact—and one of the most well-connected information brokers around.

Jake had ears everywhere.

His network stretched deep into circles most people couldn't even imagine entering.

Whenever something rare, powerful, or incredibly valuable appeared on the market, Jake was always the first to know.

And Cassia was always the first person he called.

Cassia was a familiar face at auctions—one of the biggest spenders in the room. Every time she lifted her paddle, the price usually climbed into the millions.

She frowned slightly as she read Jake's message.

"What's so special this time?"

Jake replied almost instantly, clearly excited.

"Word is there'll be original paintings by famous masters, some extremely rare medicinal herbs, and a few high-end gemstones. But that's not the real highlight tonight."

He paused dramatically before continuing.

"The star of the auction is a ruby. Supposedly a Renaissance relic. They say when you wear it in the winter, it actually warms your body. People from all over the country are desperate to get their hands on it."

Jake described it with so much enthusiasm that it almost sounded magical.

A ruby that kept you warm in winter?

Cassia raised an eyebrow.

That sounded suspiciously like a fairy tale.

But if the gem truly had such a strange property, then it was definitely worth checking out.

A faint spark flickered in her otherwise calm eyes.

She typed back a short reply.

"I'm coming."

…

Zrario International Airport — Main Lobby.

The VIP exit doors slid open with a quiet mechanical hiss.

A tall man stepped out.

His expression was dark, his presence cold and commanding. The air around him seemed to drop several degrees the moment he appeared. There was something sharp and dangerous about him that made people instinctively keep their distance.

He walked with a straight, effortless posture, every movement controlled and precise.

A perfectly tailored gray suit wrapped around his tall frame, the kind that screamed money and power without trying too hard. His eyes were sharp—cutting through the crowd like blades—while his lips were pressed into a hard, unforgiving line.

He was clearly in a foul mood.

Several men dressed in black followed closely behind him, silent and tense.

“Useless.”

The man's voice rumbled low, deep and resonant like a cello—but with a razor edge that made the men flinch.

"You lost her again."

His gaze swept over them coldly.

"What exactly do I pay you for?"

One of the men swallowed and replied carefully.

“Mr. Grey… the last signal shows she's in Zrario."

Without another word, the man continued walking forward.

His subordinates hurried to keep up.

The entire group moved with sharp, disciplined efficiency. Anyone watching could immediately tell these weren't ordinary bodyguards.

At the center of it all was Draven Grey.

The heir of the most powerful family in Vrastin—and the head of its top financial empire.

At only twenty-four years old, Draven was already worth billions.

He had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth—but unlike most heirs, he didn't simply inherit power.

He expanded it.

Under his leadership, the Grey business empire had spread across real estate, luxury hotels, casinos, banks, and high-end resorts around the world. His company ranked among the world's top Fortune 500 corporations.

But this time, Draven wasn't in Zrario for business.

He had come for one reason.

To find someone.

A miracle doctor who could save his grandfather's life.

Ned Grey's heart condition had baffled every top specialist in the country. Surgery was far too dangerous at his age, and none of the famous surgeons dared take the case.

Then rumors began circulating.

About a mysterious genius surgeon.

A miracle doctor with a flawless record.

Someone who had never failed—even in the most complicated heart and brain surgeries.

The problem?

This doctor was notoriously elusive.

She only accepted patients when she felt like it.

Draven had already sent multiple teams to track her movements. After months of searching, they finally confirmed that she was in Zrario.

That was why he came personally.

And yet—even after all that effort—his men still hadn't found a single solid lead.

Draven had just checked into his hotel and barely sat down when his phone rang.

The caller ID showed a familiar name.

Eric Ward.

His childhood friend.

"Draven! You're in Zrario, right?"

Eric sounded ridiculously excited. News of Draven's arrival had already spread through the city at lightning speed—just like everything else connected to him.

"Get to the point," Draven said flatly.

His tone carried clear irritation.

That miracle doctor had been dodging him for days.

His patience was wearing thin.

"Perfect timing!" Eric continued enthusiastically. "The McKenzies are hosting an auction tomorrow. They're putting up a rare ruby—completely one of a kind."

He chuckled.

"Your grandfather's turning seventy soon, right? That gem would make an incredible birthday gift. Want to come with me?"

Eric had strong connections in Zrario's elite circles, and since Draven was his closest friend, inviting him was only natural.

"I'm here for business," Draven replied coldly, unimpressed.

Eric rolled his eyes at the other end of the line.

Business?

What the hell was so unserious about an auction?

Still curious, he asked, "What kind of business?"

Draven rarely handled minor matters personally.

"I'm looking for a miracle doctor," Draven answered bluntly.

"A miracle doctor?" Eric repeated, suddenly cautious.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Draven… be honest with me. Those rumors from Vrastin… are they real?"

He hesitated before continuing.

"The guys back home were talking about that car accident three months ago… They said your leg got injured—and maybe… something else too."

His voice lowered.

"You know… the kind of injury that might make a man… not quite himself anymore."

Eric asked carefully.

After all, that was the kind of rumor that could crush a man's pride.

Draven's lips twitched.

Then his expression froze into pure ice.

"Fuck off."

Eric blinked.

Oh great.

Did I just step on a landmine?

He quickly tried to recover, forcing an awkward laugh.

"Alright, alright—no offense, man. But come on. The auction won't take long. And who knows? You might find something interesting there."

Draven fell silent.

He thought of his grandfather.

The old man had always loved collecting antiques.

After a long pause, he finally said coldly,

“Fine.”

Eric nearly dropped his phone.

Draven Grey changing his mind after saying no?

That was rare enough to count as a miracle itself.

His friend was really unpredictable.

…

The next morning.

Cassia wore her usual outfit—a plain white T-shirt and a worn pair of jeans.

Nothing flashy.

Nothing expensive.

She headed downstairs, her footsteps light and steady.

As she passed the second floor, she suddenly froze.

She hadn't meant to eavesdrop.

But the moment she heard her name, her feet stopped on their own.

"Geneva must have lost her mind."

Victoria's sharp, commanding voice carried clearly through the hallway.

"We finally got rid of that girl with the rotten luck, and now she actually brought her back?"

"Keep your voice down, Mom," Vance whispered quickly.

"No one else knows the truth. Geneva still believes the child was kidnapped."

He lowered his voice further.

"She has no idea we were the ones who sent her away."

"Good thing we did," Victoria snapped coldly.

"If we hadn't, this family would've gone bankrupt."

Her voice hardened.

"The moment that cursed child was born, our business collapsed. Debts piled up everywhere."

She gave a bitter laugh.

"We only started recovering after she was gone."

Her eyes turned icy.

"And now she's back. Who knows what kind of disaster she'll bring this time?"

"Mom… maybe it was just a coincidence?" Vance frowned.

The entire country's economy had been bad during those years.

They couldn't blame everything on a little girl.

“Coincidence?”

Victoria scoffed.

"You have eyes. Use them."

She had believed in fate her entire life—almost to the point of superstition.

Vance sighed quietly.

Standing in the hallway, Cassia listened silently.

A faint, mocking smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

So that's what this is about.

Her expression remained calm and distant.

As if they weren't even talking about her.

Without making a sound, she turned and walked away.

…

It was easy to see why this was considered one of the country's most famous auctions.

By the time Cassia arrived, the venue was already packed.

Entrepreneurs.

Celebrities.

High-society elites.

The elegant hall buzzed with quiet conversation and expensive perfume.

Jake was waiting near the entrance.

The moment he saw her, he waved enthusiastically.

Anyone watching them would think she was just another quiet girl.

But Jake knew better.

The girl walking toward him was a true monster of talent.

Piano.

Medicine.

Painting.

Design.

Even racing.

Whatever Cassia touched, she mastered.

"Why are there so many people today?" Cassia asked, glancing around the crowded hall. "I've seen half of these faces in finance magazines."

Jake leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"Because Mr. Grey from Vrastin is coming."

"As soon as that news got out, every major player in Zrario showed up."

Auctions like this weren't just about rare items.

They were about status.

Power.

Connections.

The elite circle in Zrario wasn't very large—but it was tightly knit.

Everyone knew everyone.

Just as they were talking, a subtle ripple passed through the crowd.

People instinctively stepped aside.

A tall man walked into the hall.

His posture was straight and sharp, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin.

A cold, commanding aura surrounded him.

Impossible to ignore.

And then there was his face.

Perfect.

As if it had been carved by the hands of a master sculptor.

Cold.

Flawless.

Magnetic.

Even without saying a word, he drew every gaze in the room.

The man who walked in was Draven. His presence alone made the air feel heavier, as if the entire room had instinctively held its breath. Even from a distance, the authority radiating from him was overwhelming—enough to crush anyone who dared challenge it. He looked like someone born to stand above everyone else.

Beside him stood Eric and his personal assistant, Seven Hanson. But even without introductions, it was obvious who commanded the room.

Draven's sharp eyes swept slowly across the crowd—then stopped.

They landed on Cassia.

For a brief second, Cassia's heart skipped.

She quickly looked away, forcing her gaze down.

What was that just now?

Why would one look from a stranger make her react like that?

Across the room, Draven had noticed her too.

Pale skin. A slender waist. Long legs outlined beneath simple jeans. There was nothing extravagant about her clothes, yet something about her drew the eye without effort.

His throat shifted slightly before he realized it.

Eric followed Draven's line of sight and soon spotted Cassia as well. He nearly let out a whistle.

"Man, you've got taste," Eric murmured with a grin. "She's young, but you can already tell she's going to grow into a real knockout. Maybe you don't even need that miracle doctor anymore—"

Before he could finish, Draven shot him a glare so cold it felt like a blade slicing through the air.

Eric immediately mimed zipping his mouth shut.

The auction was about to begin.

Jake quickly pulled Cassia down into a seat beside him near the front row.

Coincidentally—or perhaps not—Draven ended up sitting just a few rows behind her.

Cassia could feel it.

That gaze.

Heavy. Sharp. Unrelenting.

It felt like someone was watching her every move.

She shifted slightly in her seat, trying to ignore it.

Then the lights dimmed, signaling the official start of the auction.

All eyes turned toward the stage.

"This painting," the host announced enthusiastically, "is an original by Leonardo da Vinci—an extremely rare masterpiece. The starting bid will be twenty million dollars."

The moment he finished speaking, the room erupted.

"Twenty-one million!"

"Twenty-two million!"

"Thirty million!"

Every person in the room was wealthy—people for whom money was less a necessity and more a symbol.

The host's smile widened.

"Do I hear anything higher than thirty million?"

"Fifty million."

The voice came from the back of the room—deep, steady, and completely calm.

Gasps rippled through the audience.

Everyone turned.

The auctioneer slammed the gavel with excitement.

"Fifty million once! Fifty million twice! Sold! Congratulations, Mr. Ward!”

Eric leaned back with a satisfied nod.

Mission accomplished.

His grandfather would be thrilled.

Russ Ward had always been a die-hard admirer of Da Vinci's work. To him, anything connected to the legendary master was priceless.

This painting wasn't just art—it was a treasure.

Even the auction house staff looked slightly stunned by the final price.

After that, several more antiques from different eras went up for bidding.

Cassia watched quietly.

None of them interested her.

They weren't the reason she had come.

There were eight items scheduled for the night.

Only the last one mattered.

The ruby.

She had already decided—no matter what it took, she was taking it home.

Jake leaned closer and whispered nervously, "Cassia… we might not get that ruby unless Draven sits this one out. He's been quiet all night. What if he's waiting for the same thing?"

"It's fine," Cassia replied calmly.

"It's just bidding."

"I'll keep going until he gives up."

Her tone was so casual it sounded like she was talking about buying fruit at a grocery store.

Jake nearly choked.

Holy hell.

That's a hundred-million-dollar gemstone.

But then again… this was Cassia.

She could afford it.

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.

The ruby was brought onto the stage inside a reinforced glass display case.

Under the lights, it burned like a captured flame.

Its deep crimson surface reflected dazzling sparks in every direction, each facet perfectly cut. The craftsmanship was breathtaking—ancient, elegant, powerful.

The entire audience fell silent.

Cassia's eyes locked onto it immediately.

Beautiful.

A wave of whispers and soft gasps spread through the crowd.

"Draven, look," Eric said excitedly. "That's the famous ruby everyone's been talking about. Incredible, right?"

He leaned forward eagerly.

Even seeing it up close was thrilling.

Draven let out a quiet hum, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"It's impressive."

"My grandfather will like it."

Eric chuckled, glancing toward Cassia.

"That girl hasn't taken her eyes off it once. She's definitely here for the ruby too."

He smirked.

"But honestly? That's a losing fight. She clearly has no idea who she's competing with."

Draven didn't look amused.

"Appearances can be deceiving," he said coolly. "Save your breath."

Something about that girl bothered him.

Her eyes.

Bright blue.

Calm—but not empty.

There was depth there.

Mystery.

Like a storm hidden beneath still water.

It was the first time someone had given him that strange feeling.

Eric glanced at him and immediately shut up.

Draven's instincts were rarely wrong.

The room buzzed with anticipation.

Draven sat relaxed, confident.

Auctions like this weren't open to ordinary people. Only the most powerful families could even enter the bidding.

His own estate was filled with antiques rarer than museum collections.

For someone like him, this ruby was hardly extraordinary.

Finally, the auctioneer lifted the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience."

"The bidding for the ruby will begin now."

"Starting price—eighty million dollars!"

Jake's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

"That's insane!"

"Eighty million?!”

His heart pounded violently as he glanced at Cassia.

She looked completely calm.

Not impressed.

Not surprised.

Just… Cassia.

"Ninety million!"

"One hundred million!"

"One hundred ten million!"

The numbers climbed rapidly.

Cassia remained quiet, simply watching.

"Cassia… should we jump in?" Jake whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.

She nodded once.

Then slowly raised two fingers.

Jake immediately stood.

"Two hundred million!"

The room fell silent.

Then erupted with shocked whispers.

Several bidders who had planned to compete immediately backed out.

Eric glanced toward Jake.

This guy clearly doesn't know when to stop.

Leaning toward Draven, he whispered with a grin, "That girl's challenging you. Give her a reality check."

Draven glanced at Cassia again, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.

That girl really didn't know her limits.

Moments later, Seven raised the paddle.

"Three hundred million."

Eric's jaw dropped.

To these people, money was really just paper.

Jake froze for a split second.

But Cassia's voice came calmly beside him.

"Keep going."

Jake lifted the paddle again.

"Three hundred fifty million!"

Now the auction had become a duel.

Only two bidders remained.

Cassia.

And Draven.

The auctioneer's voice trembled with excitement. This was turning into a historic moment.

Draven casually raised his hand—five fingers extended.

"Five hundred million?"

The room exploded.

People stared in disbelief.

Yet Cassia didn't even blink.

"Keep going," she said quietly. "Add another hundred million."

Jake shouted immediately.

"Six hundred million!"

His pulse thundered in his ears.

But he trusted her.

Cassia had an almost supernatural ability to make money.

Even the richest elites in the room looked stunned.

Six hundred million…

For a single ruby.

"Draven… is that girl insane?" Eric muttered.

Draven narrowed his eyes.

Even he hadn't expected that.

Who is she?

The crowd grew louder.

Cassia remained perfectly calm.

"Six hundred million, going once!" the auctioneer shouted, voice shaking.

"Going twice—!"

"Draven, what now?" Eric asked. "You giving up?"

Draven's face revealed nothing.

No one could read his thoughts.

Then he spoke.

“No.”

His voice was flat.

Cold as frost.

"I'm done."

He leaned back slowly in his chair, his gaze locking onto Cassia.

He wanted to see—

What kind of woman had the nerve to outbid him.

Eric sighed.

“Fine. Let her have it."

"Six hundred million for a chunk of ruby? She must've lost her mind."

He shook his head.

"You could do a lot better things with that kind of money."

The auction hall, which had been buzzing moments ago, suddenly fell into complete silence.

Everyone stared at Cassia in disbelief.

Had she lost her mind?

Did she think money grew on trees?

Six hundred million… for a ruby barely bigger than a thumb?

Whispers spread through the room as people exchanged incredulous looks. Some even shook their heads.

Maybe the girl had actually gone crazy.

Almost every pair of eyes turned toward Cassia and Jake. In most people's minds, the two of them looked like absolute fools.

Cassia's lips twitched faintly.

She was speechless.

It was her money. She could spend it however she wanted. Yet the way everyone was staring at her made it feel like she was some kind of circus attraction.

She glanced sideways at Jake.

Jake simply raised both hands helplessly, as if to say, What can I do?

Yeah.

Cassia had never been good at keeping a low profile.

Six hundred million.

Even thinking about it made Jake's heart pound wildly in his chest.

"Six hundred million, going once! Going twice… Sold!"

The auctioneer slammed the gavel down with a loud crack.

"Congratulations, Mr. Madron, for winning the ruby!"

Applause burst through the hall.

Jake's expression turned complicated.

Technically, the ruby had been bought under his name. But everyone here knew he was just running errands.

The real buyer… was Cassia.

Under countless envious gazes, Jake got up and headed off to complete the payment procedures.

Cassia leaned slightly closer and spoke in a quiet voice.

"Once you get the ruby, put it in a bank safe. I'll need it later."

"Got it," Jake replied immediately. "Don't worry. I'll handle everything."

For him, working for Cassia was an honor. Plenty of people would have killed for the opportunity.

Cassia nodded once.

“Thanks. I'm heading out."

Jake flashed her an OK sign. He knew she always had a thousand things to do.

Cassia stood up, turned toward the exit—

—and walked straight into someone's chest.

A solid one.

She froze.

Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Draven.

He looked like he had been standing there waiting.

A faint scent of clean cologne surrounded him, warm and distinctly masculine.

Cassia immediately stepped back and met his gaze.

Their eyes locked.

Draven's expression was dark, unreadable.

"What's wrong?" he murmured lazily, the corner of his lips curling with faint amusement. "Can't get enough of me?"

His breath brushed lightly against her ear.

Cassia flinched.

Her brows knitted together before she stepped aside and said coldly,

“Hey. Move.”

She knew exactly who he was. Jake had pointed him out earlier—the man who had been competing with her for the ruby.

Draven's expression darkened instantly.

His eyes narrowed.

Did she just tell me… to move?

Eric, standing nearby, nearly choked on air.

Inwardly, he silently prayed for the brave girl.

No one had ever spoken to Draven like that before.

This girl clearly had no idea what kind of storm she had just stirred up.

"Why were you so determined to get that ruby?" Draven asked, frowning slightly.

He genuinely couldn't understand.

How could a girl like her casually spend six hundred million dollars?

It honestly shocked him.

Cassia looked almost bored.

"Because I like it," she said calmly.

"Do I need a reason?"

Draven paused, momentarily caught off guard by her tone.

"…No," he admitted quietly.

His gaze lingered on her face a little longer than he intended.

Cassia, however, had no interest in continuing the conversation.

She stepped past him and said coolly,

“Bye. And hopefully we will never run into each other again."

Then she walked away without looking back.

As she brushed past him, a faint citrus scent drifted through the air—fresh, light, unforgettable.

Draven slowly regained his composure.

He stood there, watching her retreating figure with a thoughtful expression.

Eric noticed and grinned mischievously.

"Draven," he teased, "that one's going to be a challenge. Good luck."

Draven ignored him completely.

Instead, he turned slightly and spoke to his assistant.

“Seven.”

"Find out who that woman is."

"Yes, boss," Seven replied immediately.

***By the time Cassia returned home, it was already late.

The auction had taken longer than expected.

Lunch was long over, and the family was gathered in the living room chatting.

Danica sat curled beside Victoria, whispering something that made the older woman burst into laughter.

The atmosphere in the house felt warm and lively—

until the front door opened.

The moment Cassia stepped inside, the air changed.

Every conversation stopped.

All eyes turned toward her.

Cassia walked in calmly, as if nothing had happened. Her expression remained indifferent, her eyes cold and unreadable.

Victoria was the first to explode.

"Do you think this is still the orphanage you came from?" she snapped harshly. "Coming and going whenever you please?"

"We are a respectable family. People know our name! If word got out, how embarrassing would that be?"

"That's right," Danica added sharply.

With Victoria backing her, she showed no restraint at all.

"She hasn't changed at all. Still running wild like some country bumpkin pretending she belongs here."

Victoria frowned deeply.

"You should learn from Brie and Danica," she lectured. "Girls should stay home and behave properly—not run around outside all day. It's disgraceful."

Cassia simply stood there.

Silent.

Her clear eyes revealed nothing.

That calm indifference only made Victoria more irritated.

"Are you done talking?" Cassia finally asked.

Her tone was calm, but there was a faint trace of impatience.

She had already stood there listening long enough.

Just because she didn't argue didn't mean she didn't have a temper.

"What do you mean by that?" Victoria snapped angrily. "Is that how you talk to your elders? Already losing patience?"

Before anyone could react, she grabbed her teacup and hurled it toward Cassia.

The porcelain cup flew through the air.

Luckily, Cassia was standing far enough away.

The cup shattered against the floor, but a splash of hot tea landed on her shoes.

Cassia's expression turned icy.

Her eyes sharpened instantly—cold and dangerous, like two blades aimed directly at Victoria.

For a brief moment…

she looked terrifying.

Victoria froze.

A chill crawled down her spine.

What kind of look was that?

This girl…

There was something unsettling about her.

The room fell into tense silence as the two stared at each other.

Just then—

Geneva hurried out from another room.

The moment she saw Cassia, her face lit up with relief.

“Sweetheart! Where were you?" she asked anxiously. "I was so worried!"

"Did you eat?"

Cassia's cold expression softened slightly.

She could always tell who genuinely cared about her.

"I did," she replied simply.

On her way back earlier, she had been so hungry she stopped somewhere for a steak.

"That's good," Geneva said warmly.

"Later I'll take you out to get a new phone. It'll make it easier for us to stay in touch."

Earlier that day, Geneva had tried to call Cassia—only to realize she didn't even have her number.

The guilt had weighed heavily on her.

Cassia's current phone was an old flip phone—something people had stopped using years ago.

Geneva's heart ached.

What kind of life had this child been living?

She didn't even own a proper phone.

Victoria scoffed loudly from her seat.

"Hmph. Always spending money."

"My son works himself to the bone earning that money, and you just throw it away."

Victoria had already disliked Cassia.

The girl's sharp gaze and stubborn posture rubbed her the wrong way.

At this rate, this girl will definitely bring trouble to this family one day.

"Mom, she's my daughter too," Geneva said firmly.

It was rare for her to talk back to Victoria.

Her brows were tightly furrowed.

Victoria glared at her coldly.

“Ungrateful.”

With that, she stood up and walked away.

Danica immediately rushed to support her arm as they headed upstairs.

Victoria's anger quickly melted into satisfaction at the gesture.

Danica smiled sweetly.

But just before disappearing up the stairs, she glanced back at Cassia.

Her eyes were cold and calculating.

Enjoy it while you can, bitch.

Soon enough…

something very interesting will happen.

And when it does—

you'll find out soon enough.