Chapter 4

"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer's voice trembled through the speakers.

He gripped the microphone tight. "According to the final instructions of the owner, Evelyn Hartwell... all twelve Hartwell lots tonight are officially withdrawn."

He held up the document for all to see. At the bottom, two lines were scrawled in bold capitals:

WITHDRAW ALL TWELVE HARTWELL LOTS.

RETURN THE HARTWELL CROWN TO EVELYN HARTWELL IMMEDIATELY.

The ballroom went dead silent.

Then, absolute chaos erupted.

The billionaire who had just bid fifty million dollars stood up. He was furious.

"What is the meaning of this, Julian?" he shouted across the room.…