Ensnared by Mafia, Days and Nights
Chapter 17: A Father’s Betrayal - The Auction of Mother’s Legacy

If it hadn't been for Giselle Lambert's dogged determination to excel and get into university, she might have found herself sold off by her desperate father, Clark Lambert.

Clark, mired in debts he couldn't repay, seemed poised to auction off a collection of heirloom jewels to settle his accounts.

These jewels were not merely valuable; they were the legacy of the Yates family, cherished and handed down from Giselle's maternal grandparents.

If her grandmother were to wake up and discover the jewels had been sold, it would undoubtedly shock her into unconsciousness once again.

Giselle fixated on a name on her phone screen, staring so intensely as if trying to burn a hole through it.

Seeing her intense glare, Megan quickly took the phone away, trying to soothe her, "Easy, easy, Giselle dear. Do you want to stop him?" "What's the starting bid for these pieces?"

"They're starting at five million, with no cap.'

35

Megan sighed, feeling helpless. "I wish I could do more but I can only put together three million for you."

Her family was affluent, but doling out eight million in cash wasn't feasible.

"No need," Giselle reassured her, patting her shoulder and removing her lace gloves meant for dancing. "Let's just go and see for ourselves."

Without even changing, she and Megan drove straight to the charity gala held at The Plaza, one of New York's most lavish hotels.

The grand ballroom buzzed with the mingling of well-dressed guests, sipping on drinks amidst a backdrop of elegant fragrances and the harmonious strains of a classical symphony performed by a prestigious royal orchestra. Meanwhile, Megan tried to secure financial aid from her father, while Giselle went directly to the auction's backstage area.

There, she encountered Clark Lambert, accompanied by his mistress and her daughter, Cynthia Quinn. The trio was dressed to impress, looking every bit the part of high society.

Cynthia, in heavy makeup and a dainty dress, couldn't mask her inherent vulgarity.

They stood eagerly before the display Yates jewels, their faces poorly concealing their anticipation for the auction to begin.

Circumventing their table, Giselle examined the three pieces-a pair of necklaces and a bracelet-her mother's final bequest. The thought of these treasures in the hands of a scoundrel like her father caused Giselle's blood to boil.

As she opened the display case to reclaim the jewels, her wrist was abruptly seized.

"Think you can steal here? Are you insane?" Clark spat vulgarly.

Giselle wrenched her wrist away, retorting fiercely, "You're the thief! These were left to me by my mother!" "They were left to you?" Clark scoffed, his disdain palpable. "Maybe you should ask her ashes about that."

He pushed her roughly, his contempt clear. "You're nobody-don't even think about taking them from me!" Stumbling back, Giselle steadied herself against a wall just as a waiter approached to announce,

"Mr. Lambert, it's time for your items."

"That's not his to sell!" Giselle cried out, trying to intervene.

The waiter paused, about to address her, but Clark stepped between them, dismissing her claims,

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 000005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! "She's delusional, ignore her. Hurry up, the auction's starting."

The waiter, puzzled yet indifferent to the drama, did not linger.

As the jewels were carried away, Giselle shot Clark a piercing glare before following the waiter to the audience section.

Megan had saved her a spot and called out, "Over here!"

As Giselle took her seat, the auctioneer began describing the jewels.

Megan leaned over and whispered, "Where did you go? What's your plan for these jewels? I managed to get four million from my dad as a loan for you." "Alright, I'll replace a way to buy them back."

A scornful snicker came from behind them as Cynthia mocked, "Dreaming big. Do you even have that kind of money?"

They turned to replace Cynthia and her family seated behind them.

Megan, incensed, snapped back, "Look who's talking-a whole family of thieves!"

With a disgusted look, she turned away from Cynthia, "Ugh!"