"Mum, what have you done?"

"How can you buy that ridiculous painting for that amount"

While the other family members chastised Linda, Kris only med silently as he stared at Thalassa. Ironically, he felt more upset about her being so close to Zeke than about his mother losing such a large amount of money.

"Mrs. Miller, the foundation cannot even begin to express how grateful we are for your immense generosity," the organizer said. "Please, I believe we would all like to hear a word from you."

Everyone was staring at her, so Linda plastered a smile on her face even though she felt like crying. She got up and walked to the stage. She knew she could withdraw her bid, but if she did, she would be even more humiliated.

Forcing an even wider smile, she began speaking. "Ladies and gentlemen, this donation is from the heart. There's nothing more important than these children. I'm glad that I've made the biggest donation, which can go a long way to support them." Thalassa rolled her eyes. Trust this woman, even in her pane, to try and score points for herself.

Done with her speech, Linda stepped down from the stage, her eyes burning with hatred as she stared at Thalassa before making her way to her seat.

"If anyone else would like to say something, then this is the time," the organizer said.

"I would like to," Thalassa raised her hand.

"Miss Thompson, please come to the stage," the man ushered her.

Zeke wanted to get up along with her, but Thalassa signaled for him not to as she got up and went to the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before I say anything else, don't you think Linda Miller deserves another round of applause?" she smiled. "After all, I'm sure we all know about her dire financial situation right now and the crisis affecting her company. Yet despite this, she's generous enough to donate such a huge amount for these children's sake. Doesn't this deserve another round of applause?"noveldrama

Immediately, the guests began clapping, except for the Miller family. Kris looked expressionless as he stared at her, while his mother had a smile plastered on her face despite the rage evident in her eyes.

"She's mocking me. She's mocking me because she tricked me," Linda whined for only the people around her to hear, feeling so pained.

"Now to the main thing I wanted to talk about," Thalassa continued speaking, "These innocent children truly deserve all the help they can get. That is why I entreat you all: even if you didn't win any of the items auctioned, you can still donate. There can truly never be enough money. That is why I have decided to donate an amount of $ 50,000,000 for this foundation as well as others."

The guests were stunned but immediately broke into another round of applause, this time even more intense than the one they'd done for Linda

"She's crazy," Karen said in shock.

Linda felt furious. After tricking her into conceding $30,000,000, the stupid woman had still donate an amount that was even much higher.

gone

ahead to

"Miss Thompson, we couldn't be more grateful for such splendid generosity," the organizer said, beside himself with joy as he went up the stage to shake Thalassa's hand, bowing slightly.

"It's my pleasure," Thalassa smiled before stepping down from the stage and elegantly making her way to her chair beside Zeke, who already had a smile on his face, understanding how Thalassa had managed to take all the spotlight.

When the event was declared over, almost all the guests approached Thalassa to appreciate her for her splendid generosity. Only a few people went towards Linda, who stood watching all of it in fumming silence.

Kris,

is, on the other hand, didn't even know what he was feeling. For some stupid reason he couldn't explain, watching how Thalassa and Zeke stood so close to each other as they smiled and conversed with people made him feel suffocated. Immediately, he began walking away. Karen held him by the shoulder. "Where are you going?

"Outside, I'll be back," Kris responded and slightly shook her hand off before heading out. He needed to catch some fresh air.

A bit after that, the organizer approached Linda. "Mrs. Miller, please accompany me so that we can talk about the payment terms of your donation."

Because she was standing in front of two women, Linda plastered a smile on her face. "Of course. Gladly." *She kept the smile as she followed the man through a hallway and into his office. Her face scrunched slightly with

disgust as she looked around the office. It reeked of low-class, a place she usually would never be in.

"Please have a seat, ma'am," the man pointed at one of the equally low-class visitor chairs before heading to take his seat behind the desk. Linda had no choice but to sit down 1

The man began speaking, his hands moving almost animatedly with excitement. "First of all, I just want to thank you again for this immense contribution you're about to make. It's not every day we meet such kind-hearted people like yourself." Linda fidgeted with her fingers, feeling agitated and irritated as the man continued speaking.

"Since this is charity, I can provide all the necessary paperwork for tax exemptions, so we wouldn't have to worry about that. How would you like to pay? You can do so by check or-"

Linda couldn't take it anymore. She snapped. "I withdraw my bid."

The organizer froze, his smile dropping slightly. "Sorry?"

"You heard me. Did you really think I was going to give you $30,000,000 for that ridiculous painting?" Linda scoffed.

The smile disappeared from the man's face. "I thought you were giving this for the kids."

"Yes, I do have a good heart, but even you will agree that giving you that much would be absolutely ridiculous," Linda mused. "I'll donate the original amount I bid: a million dollars. I'll give you another million to keep for yourself if you cooperate."

"Ma'am, there are rules to auctions," the organizer pointed out, already looking offended. "Besides, everyone saw the price you bid, and it's going to go public."

#

"Oh, please," Linda scoffed. "This isn't actual bidding for valuable items. As for the public thinking I bid $ 30,000,000, we'll keep it that way. No one has to know the facts. And remember, I'm the mistress of the Miller family. If you refuse to do as I say, I can destroy you with just a phone call."

While the manager looked suddenly terrified, Linda leaned forward. "So what do you say? Do you accept?"

"No, he does not accept," a female voice said before the door opened and Thalassa confidently walked into the

office.