CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: SOPHIE WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH DAMIEN LANCASTER FROM NOW ON

After briefly thinking, Ivy Summers went upstairs to change into some casual clothes. Then, she went downstairs and prepared a simple breakfast, which she brought to the rooms of the two little ones, who were still sound asleep.

Ivy Summers placed the breakfast beside them, left a note, and didn’t wake them up.

Today, Ivy Summers is going to report to the auction house, familiarize herself a bit, come back early to pick up Ella Morgan, and discuss with her about the arrangements for Sophie.

Returning to her room, Ivy Summers tied a rope to the foot of the bed, threw the other end out the window, looked down, took a deep breath, and then swiftly climbed out.

It’s quite unfortunate that at her own home, she needed to climb out of a window to leave.

Landing smoothly, Ivy Summers dusted off her hands, adjusted her clothes, and left quickly.

...

Chronos Auctions.

At the reception, Ivy Summers politely said, "Hello, my name is Zinnia. I’m here to see President Chambers."

"Hello, may I ask if you have an appointment?"

Ivy Summers replied, "No, but please call him and say that Zinnia is here. He will see me."

The receptionist glanced at Ivy Summers several times, finding her veiled appearance perhaps a bit strange.

Ivy Summers had become accustomed to wearing a veil at auction houses, so she wore one upon entering.

"I’m sorry, but you need to make an appointment first," the receptionist said with a polite smile.

"Tell him that I’m Zinnia, the new auctioneer. He will definitely see me," Ivy Summers insisted.

Just then, a woman stopped beside her, focused on Ivy Summers, and asked, "A new auctioneer?"

Hearing the voice, Ivy Summers looked over.

Seeing the speaker, she was somewhat surprised.

The woman was Nina Summers, her cousin.

They hadn’t seen each other for five years. She didn’t expect their reunion to be in this manner.

Noticing Nina, the receptionist respectfully said, "Nina Summers, this lady claims she is the new auctioneer and insists on seeing President Chambers."

Nina raised her eyebrow, walked closer in her high heels, scrutinizing Ivy Summers, sneered sarcastically, "A new auctioneer, you? Without even preparing a proper lie? We haven’t hired any new auctioneer. Anyone can try to sneak in, wearing a veil as if she stole something. Why are you standing there? Get rid of her."

The receptionist immediately nodded, "Yes."

It seemed Nina worked here and had considerable authority.

The receptionist gestured for Ivy Summers to leave. Unhurried, Ivy Summers responded, "I really am the new auctioneer. Call President Chambers, and you’ll know if I’m lying."

Nina crossed her arms, sneering, "You want to see President Chambers? Do you even know who he is?"

Ivy Summers did not.

However, Noah Scott arranged for her to find this Keith Chambers, presumably one of his subordinates.

With a proud flick of her hair, Nina said, "He’s my boyfriend. So, you don’t need to seek him out; I know very well that he hasn’t hired a new auctioneer."

Ivy Summers let out a "Wow."

Smug, Nina curled her lips, "Scared, aren’t you?"

Ivy Summers found it amusing; Nina was still as shallow and boastful as ever.

Ivy Summers smiled and nodded, "Do you know who I am?"

"Who are you then? An intruder trying to sneak into our auction house... a thief perhaps?"

Just as she finished speaking, a group of people emerged from the elevator on the opposite side, led by none other than Keith Chambers.

Nina’s expression changed; she walked up tenderly, "Dear..."

Only to find that Keith Chambers completely ignored her and walked directly to Ivy Summers, "Zinnia, my apologies for the delay. I hope you haven’t waited long."

Silence fell around them.

Nina turned, dumbfounded, "Her?"

Keith Chambers was particularly respectful to Ivy Summers, firstly because the big boss sent a personal file saying to treat her like royalty.

Secondly, she was indeed the chief auctioneer from Yrador.

Just these two points gave Keith Chambers, even as a general manager, no reason but to be respectful.

Ivy Summers gently nodded, "I haven’t waited long."

"Please, follow me," Keith Chambers respectfully invited Ivy Summers upstairs.

"She..."

Nina and the receptionist were still in a daze as Ivy Summers walked away.

During this visit, Ivy Summers was mainly here to report and familiarize herself. She wouldn’t start work for another couple of days. Keith Chambers personally showed her around the auction house and introduced her to her colleagues.

News spread quickly around the auction house about a chief auctioneer parachuting in, with the general manager personally receiving and introducing her.

Parachuting in, chief auctioneer.

These keywords caused the news to spread swiftly each way throughout the auction house.

"I know her, Zinnia, known as the most mysterious auctioneer, rose to fame with a single auction, yet no one has seen her true face."

"I’ve heard of her too, but wasn’t she always in Yrador? How did she suddenly parachute here? Now she’s the chief auctioneer, what about Nina Summers?"

Everyone glanced at Nina quietly, knowing that without Zinnia’s parachuting in, the chief auctioneer position would have likely been given to Nina by Keith Chambers.

Nina gritted her teeth with a terrifyingly ugly expression.

Who exactly is this Zinnia? What gives her the right to come and take her position away?

Damn it!

"What are you looking at? Just a nobody who doesn’t dare to show her face. What’s there to be curious about?" Nina huffed, turning and storming away.

People exchanged glances.

Nina wasn’t someone easy to provoke; she had wanted the chief auctioneer position for years.

Now suddenly losing it, everyone knew she wouldn’t sit idly by.

Ivy Summers spent the morning at the auction house, having almost entirely familiarized herself with it. Keith Chambers set up an office for her, and they arranged her work schedule before she left.

Exiting the auction house, Ivy Summers received a call from Ella Morgan.

Ella Morgan had already arrived, and they arranged to meet at the entrance of Lancaster Manor.

At the entrance of Lancaster Manor.

Ivy Summers briefly explained the recent events to Ella Morgan.

Ella Morgan’s heart tightened, "Then what? If he already knows about the child’s secret, won’t my entering just expose the lie?"

Ivy Summers pursed her lips, "Yes, that’s why I thought it’s better for me to go first."

"You’re going?"

With determination in her eyes, Ivy Summers said, "If he really knows the child is his, there’s no point in you going in. It’d be better for me to go and probe what he really meant last night."

"Have you thought it through? This is a bit risky."

"Yes, I’ve thought it through."

Ultimately, there are only two outcomes. Ivy Summers was willing to take the gamble.

...

The servants at the manor all recognized Ivy Summers, so her entry into the Lancaster house was smooth.

Sophie sat alone in the living room at the moment. Seeing Ivy Summers, her chubby face lit up with joy, and she almost jumped off the sofa in excitement, "Mum... pretty lady!"

"Sophie."

While the servants went upstairs to call Damien Lancaster, Ivy Summers approached Sophie.

"Sophie, did Damien say or do anything last night?" Ivy Summers asked in a low voice.

Sophie blinked. "The bad daddy... he... um, he sang for Sophie last night, the song Little Second Son."

Damien Lancaster sang for Sophie?

Since when has he been so nice?

Could it be that he knows Sophie is his child and that’s why he’s treating her well?

It must be.

"What’s the matter, Mum?"

Sophie tilted her head at Ivy Summers’ almost tearful expression, her little head full of big questions.

Ivy Summers patted Sophie’s head, forcing a smile, "It’s nothing..."

"Mum, are you here to take Sophie home?"

Sophie wanted to go back; there was no brother, no mum, and at night without mum’s soft, fragrant hugs, only the unpleasant songs of the bad dad.

"Mum, the bad daddy is so dumb, he can’t even sing Little White Rabbit," Sophie said with a face of disbelief that she’d met someone so dumb.

Ivy Summers almost cried.

Poor Sophie didn’t know she might have to live with her dumb daddy in the future.