Chapter 3 288 Vouchers That was her mentor's final masterpiece-"Mistry Spring Mountains"! The familiar brushstrokes on the painting instantly reminded her of her mentor's thin, frail hand before he passed away. She remembered how he used to gently pat her head and say, "Eloise, this painting holds the work of my entire life..." Now that her mentor has passed away and his wife spends her days in tears, buying this painting would surely bring her some comfort-and help ease the pain of missing him. "Eight hundred thousand," she said as she raised her paddle without hesitation. "Ronald..." Cecilia whispered, tugging on Ronald's sleeve. "This painting is so beautiful." Ronald didn't hesitate. He lifted his paddle and said, "Two million!" Eloise clenched her jaw. "Three million." "Five million." The number kept rising, and the entire auction hall fell silent. Out of the corner of her Eloise noticed Vincent and the other two lowering their paddles-just because Cecilia seemed to want the painting more. What a joke. Only ten minutes ago, they had promised her, "Eloise, we'll get anything you want." Her fingers dug into her palm as she raised her paddle again. "Eight million." "Thirteen million." "Fifteen million." At last, Ronald shocked everyone. He raised his paddle for unlimited bidding. eye, He stood up to make the payment, his long legs-sharp in tailored pants-stepped across the carpet. He didn't spare so much as a glance at Eloise's pale face. 0.00% 06:05 Chapter 3 Vincent said quickly, trying to comfort her. "Don't be upset, Eloise. If this painting matters that much to you, I'll check backstage and see if there's anything similar. I'll get it for you... "I'll help too," Leonel added right away. "Count me in," said Tobias, following after them. Their backs became harder to see as they rushed off, and Eloise blinked away the sting in her eyes. She took a steadying breath, suppressed the sadness in her heart, and made her way toward Cecilia, who stood in the spotlight, adored by all. "Name your price for the painting," Eloise said, her voice calm as ice. "I'll pay five times, ten times, even twenty times. Just say it." Cecilia laughed softly, her eyes glinting with smugness. "So even Ms. Patnick knows how to beg?" She tilted her head and gave an innocent blink. "But money isn't everything. I'm not planning to sell this painting right now. Still, if you really want it that badly, get on your knees and beg. Maybe I'll give it to you." Eloise's breath caught for a second. The girl in front of her always played the helpless act around men, but in front of her, she was cruel and full of herself-it was sickening. This was exactly why Eloise couldn't stand Cecilia, in either her previous or current life. She never understood how those four men had all fallen for someone like this. Eloise's hands curled into tight fists. "I told you, money's not a problem." "But I just want to see you kneel," Cecilia said, her smile bright but cold. "If you don't..." Eloise's eyes moved to the painting Cecilia was holding carelessly. It was the final painting her mentor had ever worked on-the one his wife thought about every single day. Remembering the elderly woman crying made Eloise feel like her heart was being crushed. "Fine. I'll kneel." At last, she slowly dropped to her knees in front of everyone. 19.81% 06:05 Chapter 3 288 Vouchers The icy marble floor stung through her thin clothes, but it didn't hurt as much as what she felt inside. When she stood up, her voice was flat and eerily calm. "Now, will you hand it over?" Cecilia's smile suddenly twisted into something cruel. Right in front of Eloise, she grabbed both sides of the frame with both hands and... The sharp sound of the painting being torn echoed through the silent auction room. "You!" Eloise shouted, fury surging through her. She lifted her hand, ready to slap her. "Eloise!" Ronald's voice roared through the room like a sudden storm. "What on earth are you doing?" "Ronald..." Cecilia whispered, covering her face as tears filled her eyes. "Don't be mad at her. This is all because of me. I shouldn't have joined you at the auction.' ་་ She gently pulled at the hem of his shirt, her voice trembling just enough to seem pitiful. "Ms. Patnick has feelings for you. Seeing you treat me so kindly must have upset her. "I know my presence has made things hard for all of you..." Cecilia suddenly shoved Ronald aside and stumbled back. "If I'm causing problems, then I'll just vanish!" Without another word, she turned around and bolted toward the floor-to-ceiling window. "Cecilia!" Ronald's voice echoed across the hall, but he couldn't stop her in time. "Crash!" The shattering glass and the dull thump of something heavy hitting the ground echoed in Eloise's ears like a scream. She hurried to the window, only to find Cecilia lying still in a red pool, looking like a broken-winged butterfly. And yet, at the corner of her lips was a twisted, triumphant smile. Ronald completely lost it. Eyes filled with fury, he scooped Cecilia up from the pool of blood. His voice was raspy full of panic. "Get her to the hospital, now!" and 45.02% 06:05 Chapter 3 His glare shifted to Eloise like a blade ready to strike. "You'd better hope she survives, or I swear-you'll pay for it with your life!" Under the harsh, cold lights of the hospital hallway, time felt frozen. A doctor came rushing over, out of breath and clearly anxious. "She's losing a lot of blood. We need a transfusion immediately. But she has Rh-negative blood. We're running out in the blood bank..." Ronald turned swiftly, eyes narrowing at Eloise as if targeting her with a weapon. "You're Rh-negative, too. "No... Don't..." Cecilia mumbled faintly from the hospital bed. "It's my fault. Ms. Patnick has anemia. Please, don't take her blood..." "Even now, you're still thinking of her?" Ronald held her hand tenderly, his voice soft like he was calming a scared child. But the second he turned back to Eloise, his tone became ice- cold. "Tie her up." "Ronald, you wouldn't dare!" "See if I dare!" Eloise was shoved down hard onto the operating table, the cold surface sending chills up her spine. She struggled wildly, managing to knock over a tray of tools with her legs. Metal instruments clattered loudly as they scattered across the floor. "Hold her down!" Ronald barked. Three or four bodyguards rushed forward, pinning her arms and legs with brutal force. Her hair was a tangled mess, and during the scuffle, her gown ripped, exposing her pale shoulder. 7 "Ronald!" she screamed, her voice filled with a kind of despair she'd never known before. "You're going to regret this...' "You're the one who'll regret it," Ronald replied with a cold smirk, pushing the needle into her arm himself. As the blood began to flow, Eloise's vision started to fade. Chapter 3 Her mind drifted, pulling her back to a rainy night in her previous life. 288 Nouthers Headlights slicing through the dark, the sharp screech of tires, and the indifferent faces of Ronald and the others standing across the road. Only Mario, the sworn enemy she once despised more than anyone, had run to her, his steps unsteady as he gathered her bloody body in the rain. "Mario..." she whispered through tears that mixed with blood, staining the operating table like wilted red petals. "When will you come back... I miss you..." Her voice grew weaker and weaker until finally, it disappeared into the cold, sterile air. Chapter 4 Title: Committed In CrushReel's ongoing novel "Committed," a man, grappling with the pressure to propose to his girlfriend, finds himself at a crossroads when he unexpectedly encounters a runaway bride. Seeking an escape from his relationship's demands, he embarks on a journey to Greece where he crosses paths with the enigmatic former... Exploring themes of love, commitment, and serendipity, this modern romance delves into the complexities of relationships and the unexpected turns life can take. As the protagonist navigates between duty and desire, readers are drawn into a tale of opposites attracting amidst picturesque Greek landscapes. What sets "Committed" apart is its heartfelt portrayal of emotional conflict and the pursuit of true connection. Dive into this sweet romance that promises twists of fate and heartfelt revelations. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a story that resonates with the beauty of unexpected encounters.