Page 9 of If The Shoe Fits

Carter nodded. "We had an issue with the Ming vase delivery, but it just arrived."

So, they weren't just putting dances up for sale. And a good thing, too. Helene couldn't imagine they were going to bring much money.

Carter leaped on the lone chair left in the room—a heavy brocade piece that didn't go with their townhome’s sparse, modern furnishings. They must only use antiques like these to impress this crowd. Cassie handed him a knife from one of the buffet table, and he tapped it against his crystal flute.

The room fell into silence, and the attention of their guests focused on him. "All right, people. Not that I have anything against you drinking my champagne and eating petit fours until the end of time, but we're all here for a reason."The crowd chuckled, which must have been the intended effect. "Millions of people state wide lost their jobs last year. Many of them struggle to feed their families. With your help, the Harris Foundation intends to send a care package including cash vouchers and everyday necessities to thousands of households across the country. We're the lucky ones. Tomorrow, the tide could shift. Bid generously, ladies, gentlemen."

He got down from the chair, and placed it on a raised platform behind him. Though it hadn't been there just yesterday, it looked like a proper royal dais, rather than a makeshift stand.

A solemn older man dressed in a formal tux walked to the dais, holding an object covered by a black silk sheet. He uncovered it somewhat dramatically, and the crowd clapped again. Helene grimaced. He was holding a vase. It was white, with a blue dragon on it. "A certified fifteenth-century Ming Dynasty vase, donated by Vincent Coburn. The bidding starts at five million. Five million, to Mr. Teneth, do I hear six? Six million to Mrs. Alberfoth. Seven? Seven to Sir Francis Dwayne. Eight? Mr. Slade, eight million. Do I hear—"

"Fifteen million!" a woman screamed.

"Fifteen million to Mrs. Bennet. Sixteen? Sixteen to—"

Helene lost track of time. She didn't even understand how the guy could recognize all these people at one glance, or follow the wild trail of bids. In less than twenty minutes, someone purchased the vase for twenty-nine million dollars.

More than what she'd earn in her entire lifetime.

She was going to need a hell of a lot more champagne to get through this.

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