Chapter 54

No sooner had anyone stepped out than a wave of reporters surged forward, closing in on the mansion's front steps.

Bright flashes fired off relentlessly, and the noise from the shouting crowd made it almost impossible to think.

Microphones thrust forward, and voices competed for attention. "Can you share what just happened in there?"

Other reporters shouted over the din, "We could hear cheers from all the way outside! What's the story with the drones and fireworks? Please give us some details!"

Questions came from every direction. "Excuse me,one more question..."

The guests barely had time to get their bearings before they were boxed in by journalists desperate for any scrap of new information.

Most faces showed confusion, even among those who expected a little media attention; no one could have predicted such a mob.

Costumes of every color filled the scene, and someone even brought along a barking dog,which seemed just as interested as the press. The animal's barking grew louder every time someone glanced its way.

Camera flashes bathed the entryway in white light,turning night into day.

This was exactly what greeted Millie and Charles as they emerged from the mansion.

Surprise widened Millie's eyes, hidden just behind her mask.

She barely had a moment to process before a wave of reporters pressed in, some actually brandishing the dog as part of the spectacle.

A chorus of barking met Millie's startled gaze.

Cries rang out. "That's Serena Ellsworth!"

"Serena, can you share what just took place inside?"

"And Mr. Evans, your family's charity auction seems to have sparked quite the uproar. What happened?"

The flood of questions and people was unending.Charles set his jaw, gently shouldering his way through the mass to shield Millie.

Without hesitating, he pulled out his phone and tried to contact security.

Inside, new protocols had been set in motion. Extra guards were already on their way, summoned from nearby.

Unfortunately, reinforcements hit a wall-crowds blocked every route before they could even get close

Every inch of hillside around the mansion had become a trap, with reporters forming an impenetrable ring

Taking in the crush of bodies, Charles could hardlly contain his exasperation.

He barked into his phone, urgency in every syllable "Send the helicopter, now! The rooftop's big enough to land on. Just get it here!"

All the while, he kept Millie behind him, acting as her shield.

Rumors had spread like wildfire. Charles knew the second the media got wind of Serena and Brandon's confrontation, there would be no escape.

Shouts rose from the chaos. "We've got the story!Brandon just bought a tanzanite for Vivian! That's not all! Serena and Brandon started a bidding war-tanzanite that should be a million dollars went for twenty-five million!"

Another voice joined in, frantic. "Look, it's Serena!Hurry up, she's right there!"

The crowd reacted instantly, surging toward Millie and Charles as if driven by instinct.

With panic rising, they tried to retreat inside, but the way was blocked-people pressed in from every side,and even the dog wouldn't give way.

A new wave of excitement swept through as someone cried out, "Brandon's coming out, and Vivian's withhim!"

"Over here! They're heading this way, move, move!"

"No one gets through! Someone keeps the doors blocked too!"

In seconds, the mob redirected, trampling over each other to get closer to Brandon and Vivian.

Those who'd been guarding the back grumbled under their breath. "Just my luck! I ended up with Serena instead of Brandon!"

Unable to help himself, Charles scoffed, "If you're so desperate, try going after him instead of crowding us!"

Pandemonium reigned, shouts, flashes, and barking dogs blending into a single roar.

In an attempt to calm things, the mansion security blared the siren at full volume.

Chaos didn't budge. The noise did nothing to thin the wall of people pressing closer.

Vivian had just been swept up in a grand gesture-Brandon's wild bid that sent millions flying just to please her.

Meanwhile, Serena, known from her time on Heavenly Melody,went head-to-head with him in the auction.

There had to be headlines-bold,impossible to ignore,splashed across every front page!

But wasn't Serena still right there next to Charles?

Curiosity turned into interrogation as a reporter called out, "Serena, why did you try to outbid Brandon? Is there something going on between you two? What does that leave Mr. Evans?"

That question cut right through Charles. Was he just invisible now?

It felt like all his significance had been erased in an instant.

No one had ever made Charles feel so irrelevant before.

Unable to hold back, he snapped, "If you don't have real questions, keep your mouths shut and get lost!"

No one so much as glanced at him; his anger barely registered.

Instead, every camera, every light, every microphone was locked onto Millie.

There was no dodging the crowd this time, and Millie realized it was pointless to stay silent.

She took a breath and said to the reporters, "I bid against Mr. Watson because I genuinely wanted the item. That's all there is to it."

Skepticism rippled through the crowd.

Charles jumped in, voice raised. "Take it or leave it!The truth is, Serena and Brandon only ever crossed paths at the Heavenly Melody's first episode recording.Since then, there's been no contact. Something going on between them? You're just making up stories!"

A reporter turned to him. "Mr. Evans, why are you so upset? Is it because we're right about this?"

Frustration bubbled up, and Charles looked about ready to start swinging.

On the other side of the crowd, Brandon moved through the throng with an icy calm, his presence alone keeping people at arm's length.

Even surrounded by the press, Brandon's status created a clear bubble; no one dared get too close.

Planting himself firmly in front of Vivian, Brandon took on the role of her shield.

Questions rained down, relentless and sharp. "Mr.Watson, reports say you swore to win the tanzanite for Vivian, bidding against Serena and walking away with a $25 million price tag. Is it true?"

Another voice chimed in, "Is your bold move a declaration of love for Vivian?"

Flashes erupted as someone asked, "Does appearing here at the auction with Vivian mean you're finally going public with your relationship?"

Accusations came next. "Does this signal your intention to divorce your wife?"

Frowns creased Brandon's brow while he faced the barrage in stoic silence.

He chose not to dignify the chaos with a response.Vivian, on the other hand, had been waiting for just this moment.

She'd pushed for their attendance tonight precisely to capture this spotlight.

Turning to Brandon, Vivian offered a gentle, practiced smile."Let me take this one." With that, she slipped past him, stepping confidently into the reporters 'crosshairs.

Lights converged, and every camera swung in her direction.

"Everyone." Vivian managed a smile that suited the moment, though a hint of fragility lingered behind it.

"We came to this charity auction simply to show our support for children in need. As for Brandon making headlines..." She paused, letting her gaze sweep the crowd. "Well, wherever Brandon goes, attention follows, no matter how quietly he tries to act. There's no use pretending otherwise. About the tanzanite,yes,I was interested at first. It was valued at around a million. Brandon's winning bid was simply his way of maximizing the donation. Please don't read too much into it. He's here tonight at my request to help bring awareness to these children. That's all. Please don't let wild rumors take hold."

A hint of fragility colored her smile as she continued."My health is failing. All I want is to do something meaningful while I still can. Serena just happened to want the same stone; there's no need to turn it into drama or drag her name through the mud."

Poised and gracious, Vivian finished her speech with a respectful bow.

Rising back up, she suddenly swayed, the color draining from her face, before she collapsed right in front of the crowd.