Chapter 19 288 Vouchers " Has anything caught your eye , Ms. Lavigne ? " Audrey walked over to a display case and paused in front of a sculpture . " I didn't expect to see something this stun- ning here . " " You've got a good eye , " Claudine said , stepping up beside her . " That's the Ethereal Seraphim Sculpture , crafted three hundred years ago by a royal sculptor . It's considered a master- piece , known for its elegance and precision . It marks the peak of Korvossan sculpture and reflects the royal family's aesthetic at the time . Look at this work here … " She pointed out the finer details as she spoke . " In 2010 , someone from Kilbourne bought it for 92 million dollars , setting a national record at the time . " Mr. Legare's putting it out now , which wasn't easy for him . Honestly , without his generosity , none of us would've gotten to see it . " Looks like it's been waiting for you , Ms. Lavigne , " she added with a smile . Audrey didn't answer . Her gaze lingered on Claudine , her expression hard to read . The look was a mix of arrogance , surprise , and quiet hostility that Claudine couldn't pin down . It unsettled her . Still , she brushed it off and stayed professional . Audrey might be a client , but that didn't make her superior to Claudine . Claudine's job was to present the pieces , run the auction , and earn her commission . Audrey turned to the next piece - Ivory Figure of the Dawn Herald . " You seem to know your way around sculpture , Ms. Hogan . Mind telling me more about this one ? " Claudine nodded and got started . By the end of the day , Audrey had gone through every item on display . For each one , she'd asked Claudine to explain it in detail . At previews like this , most guests were seasoned collectors . They knew what they were looking at . If they asked for more insight , it was usually about one or two pieces they were seriously considering . Audrey was the first to ask about everything . Claudine was drained but kept going . 0.0 % 03:51 Chapter 19 Audrey stayed cool throughout , never showing much interest in any piece . 288 Vouchers " Thanks for all your help today , " she said eventually . " I'll come to the auction with my man , show some support . " " You're very kind , Ms. Lavigne . I hope you win something you truly love . " Audrey's smile faded . After a moment , she turned and walked away . Claudine watched her go , a strange feeling settling in her chest . Maybe she was imagining it , but Audrey seemed down after that last explanation . Had Claudine said something wrong ? The thought stuck with her as she packed up for the day . She gathered the auction materials and headed home , plan- ning to go over everything again , just to be sure . Back at Willow Creek Villas , Claudine unlocked the door and stepped into the dark . It had been a long time since she'd worked this hard . Her fever hadn't fully broken , and now her body felt weak , un- steady . She dropped the materials on her desk , sank into the chair , and dozed off . Her dreams were strange and chaotic , full of noise and shadow . She tried to wake but couldn't . Then the doorbell rang . She jolted awake , drenched in cold sweat , gasping for breath . It took a moment to steady herself . Her phone was ringing on the desk . She reached for it . The call was from Belmont Estates . Damian hadn't contacted her since she moved out . A call this late made her think he was finally ready to talk about the divorce . Claudine swiped to answer the call . The voice on the other end was panicked . " Mrs. Barrette , Darlene's broken out in a rash . She's crying nonstop , says it itches everywhere . We can't reach Mr. Barrette . What should we do ? " Claudine's head was spinning , and her body felt feverish again . She got up to find the thermometer , speaking calmly into the phone . " It's probably an allergic reaction . Did she eat anything weird or touch any pets ? " There are antihistamines and anti - itch cream in the cabinet . Try those first , then call Dr. Arnold over . " 49.6 %