Barrington was putting on a strong front , but deep down , he was far from confident . The next second , Trevor casually raised his bidding paddle and said , " Twenty million . " Just for a necklace , twenty million was already a sky - high price . Barrington's expression darkened as he followed up . " Twenty - five million . " As he bid , he was already texting his assistant to compile a full list of his assets - he needed to know exactly how much he had at his disposal . He'd already lost Xanthe . There was no way he was letting the necklace slip through his fingers too . But Trevor didn't intend to give Barrington the chance to win . Leaning lazily against a window , half - burnt cigarette still held between his fingers , he looked completely unbothered . " I'm going all in ," he casually declared . Those four words instantly made the room buzzed . In auction terms , that meant he was willing to outbid anyone - no matter what price they called . But almost no one dared to make such a move not just because of the risk of a rival deliberately driving up the price - but also because most no one simply didn't have that kind of nerve . The last time someone used that phrase in an auction in Chicago , it had also been a member of the Michelsons - Trevor's father . From the back row , Xanthe finally spoke . " It's just a necklace . It's not worth it ." " Xanthe ," Trevor said softly , " to Barrington and me , this is more than just a necklace ." The auctioneer smiled and turned to Barrington . " Mr. Connolly , would you like to continue bidding ? If you intend to go further , we'll need to verify your funds . Your credit limit with our bank is nearly maxed out . " People nearby began whispering to him with concern . " President Connolly , just let it go . It's the Michelsons - you can't compete with that kind of wealth ." " Exactly . Even if all of us pooled our money , we still couldn't match Mr. Michelson . Backing down now is better than losing everything . " Just then , Barrington's assistant sent over the numbers . [ President Connolly , you only have twenty million in liquid assets left . ] Barrington wanted to fight , but he simply didn't have the means . Under the weight of everyone's gaze , Barrington clenched his fists and finally let out a breath , his whole body seeming to deflate . " I give up ." In the end , the necklace once belonging to Princess Diana went to Trevor . Trevor gave a lazy , triumphant smile and didn't miss the chance to rub it in , " I told you, Mr. Connolly . You could never beat me . " 12:44 pm His cocky voice rang through the auction hall as he added , almost like an afterthought , " Three days from now , Xanthe Wentworth and I are getting married . Everyone here is invited ." And then , he looked straight at Barrington . " I've reserved a special seat just for you , Mr. Connolly . You'd better be there . " Barrington suddenly stood up , staring Trevor down with cold eyes . " Don't celebrate too soon , Mr. Michelson , " he said flatly . " This isn't over yet . Let's see what happens next . " With that , Barrington turned and left the venue . Within the day , the news of Trevor's dramatic bid for Xanthe had already gone viral . Media outlets were all over it , pushing the narrative of Trevor as the ultimate devoted fiancé . The day before the wedding , Xanthe came home from a prenup spa treatment to find her father sitting in the living room , face dark with worry . " Dad ? What's wrong ? " He sighed and handed her his phone . She took it and glanced at the screen . The headlines were disgusting , but she just gave an indifferent smile . " The wedding's tomorrow , and this is what Barrington pulls today . How clever . " The internet was flooded with rumors - claims that Xanthe had once been married to Barrington . Even worse - she'd gotten an abortion a month after they split . The comments were brutal , calling her a cheap woman . Trevor , her now - fiancé , was rich , handsome , and popular . Over the years , he'd turned down countless women , all for Xanthe . That made her the target of even more envy and resentment . Now that Xanthe's past had come to light , they couldn't wait to drag her name through the mud . Holden slammed a hand on the table . " I knew that son of a bitch was no good . After everything you did for him , now he's trying to ruin you ? " Heaving a sigh , he firmly declared , " He will pay for this . I will find him , make him come forward , and clear your name . " Just as Xanthe was about to stop her father , her phone rang . " Speaking of the devil . " Barrington's exhausted voice came through . " Xanthe , I'm sure you've seen everything online by now . " " We didn't have to come to this ," he said quietly . " If you'd just come back to me ... If you agreed to marry me again , I'd make a public statement and clear it all up for you . " Chanter 20