345 Fully Supportive

“Damon, didn’t you say before that you came here to try your luck, maybe meet some big shots? But this Astral Hermit just surfaced and isn’t even as famous as you…” 

Halfway through, she wanted nothing more than to bite her own tongue off. 

Why did I say 

that? 

Isn’t that just rubbing salt into his wounds? 

Damon had been dragged down by Halsey, like a lion that had lost its pride. 

“Wait, that’s not what I meant. I was just saying—” 

“I know,” Damon said, not taking it to heart. 

Instead, he focused on the catalog. 

Linda felt awkward and could only look along with him. 

But her heart wasn’t in it, so it didn’t really matter whether she looked or not. 

Soon, the auction began. 

The first few items were meant to warm up the room. 

They weren’t very valuable, just for getting people excited. 

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After those were sold, the real pieces came out. 

First up was a painting that had been displayed earlier. 

+5 Free Coins 

“This is a recent work by the renowned artist Junzilan. Last year, one of his paintings sold for ten million at auction.” 

“Though this piece is smaller, it’s a recent work by Clair Sage, with deep artistic conception, very suitable for collection.” 

The auctioneer talked for a while, then opened the bidding. 

Because the size was smaller, there wasn’t much interest, so it sold for one million. 

But for a newer artist, that was pretty decent. 

After that, it was time for the highlight. 

“Today, we have a volunteer donor presenting a work by Aurelia!” 

As soon as the words fell, everyone’s attention was drawn over. 

“Who is it?!” 

“Who would have an Aurelia and not keep it but bring it out to auction?” 

“It’s not a fake, is it?” 

The auctioneer deliberately built suspense. 

Even though the bidders were annoyed, they couldn’t help feeling excited. 

Because it was Aurelia, an artist beloved even by the queen of Heswil. 

If you snagged one of her paintings, opening a branch there would be a breeze. 

Of course, just opening a branch wasn’t the point. 

The key point was that the queen was practically obsessed with collecting this artist’s works. 

As long as you presented one painting, you’d receive enormous benefits. 

That kind of opportunity was truly once in a lifetime. 

So now everyone was even more curious about who would give up such an overwhelming 

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fortune and instead, put an Aurelia painting up for auction. 

“Stop teasing us already. Who is it, exactly?!” 

The one who spoke was Sophie. 

She’d been wanting to bid on an Aurelia painting, so she was extremely anxious. 

By now, she’d completely lost patience. 

The auctioneer felt bitter inside–he didn’t know either. 

He just checked the time, saw it was right, and smiled as he spoke. 

“Now, let’s welcome the donor.” 

As soon as the words fell, everyone began looking around, trying to spot the person. 

Just as everyone was getting impatient, Stella slowly stood up. 

Then she walked toward the auction stage. 

Sophie frowned. 

“What are you doing? Don’t embarrass the Previns!” 

Stella let out a cold laugh, giving her zero respect. 

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“I donated the painting. Why else do you think I’m going up to the auction stage right now?” 

Sophie froze, then her face changed drastically, fury filling her eyes. 

“You have an Aurelia painting?!” 

Stella didn’t speak, but her trusted assistant had already brought over a box. 

The box was nearly six feet long. 

Clearly, the painting inside wasn’t small. 

At this point, everyone understood what was going on. 

Sophie was grinding her teeth in anger. 

“When did you even get something like this? 

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“You had this. Why didn’t you give it to the Previns? 

“You ungrateful traitor!” 

Rosalie frowned and quickly pulled her daughter back into her seat. 

When she looked at Stella again, there was also deep displeasure in her eyes. 

“Since you had this, why did you hide it away?” 

After saying that, she sighed. 

“But in the end, it’s still yours. Handle it however you like. I won’t blame you.” 

The people around them were a bit stunned by the scene. 

“Isn’t she an adopted daughter? Doesn’t she owe the family for raising her?” 

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“The Previns have been searching for Aurelia’s works for years. Since she has one, why didn’t she give it to her foster parents?” 

“It’s understandable to favor your biological daughter, but does that mean the debt of upbringing doesn’t matter?” 

“This really… hurts her likability.” 

“But I still really want that painting.” 

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s not drag the auction itself into it.” 

As the murmurs continued below, Stella was already standing on the auction stage. 

Alice had been sitting with her earlier, and when Stella stood up to donate the painting, she was fully supportive. 

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Linda decided she had to find herself something to rely on. 

“Damon.” 

She set the auction catalog down and looked at Damon beside her. 

“Which one do you want to bid on?” 

Damon didn’t guard himself against her and pointed to a painting on page 17. 

It was a landscape painting. 

The signature belonged to a recently emerging artist known as “Astral Hermit.” 

She didn’t understand.