Amy answered the phone. "Mr. Kingsley."

"I've secured an invitation to the auction," Sebastian's rich baritone voice resonated through the line. "Celeste, are you absolutely certain about this?"

"I've never been more certain," Amy replied without hesitation.

"Very well," Sebastian said. "I'll collect you tomorrow evening."

"Thank you, Mr. Kingsley."

He chuckled, the sound warm and indulgent. "Think nothing of it."

Later that night, Oliver returned home. Amy exchanged a few words with him before ending the call.

Samantha, unable to suppress her curiosity, blurted out, "Celeste, you're really attending an auction?"

Amy nodded. "Yes. It's my first time—I thought it would be an interesting experience."

Samantha's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Take me with you! Please? I've never been to one either!"

Amy smiled. "Don't worry, I already arranged an invitation for you."

Samantha threw her arms around Amy in delight. "You're the best!"

After a series of unfortunate mishaps, they finally checked into their hotel. But in the dead of night, an insistent knock interrupted their sleep.

The hotel manager stood at the door, his expression apologetic.

"My deepest apologies, ladies, but there's been a mistake. This room was reserved for another guest. Our new receptionist assigned it to you in error."

"We've already initiated the refund process, so if you could kindly gather your belongings as soon as possible..."

Samantha, still groggy, gaped at him. "You're joking, right? It's the middle of the night, and you're kicking us out over your mistake?"

The manager attempted to soothe her. "We'll refund you double for the inconvenience—"

Samantha's temper flared. "I don't care about your refund! Where are we supposed to go now? Why can't you move the other guests instead?"

The manager looked helpless. "I'm afraid the hotel is fully booked tonight. I hope you understand."

"Understand?" Samantha scoffed, ready to argue, but Amy gently pulled her back.

"Let it go, Sam."

"But—!"

Amy's lips curved into a knowing, icy smile.

"This was intentional. Arguing won't change anything—they won't listen."

Samantha knew she was right. Someone was targeting them. Still, the unfairness stung.

Amy met the manager's gaze, then turned to Samantha. "Let's just pack our things and leave. Better we take them ourselves than let them throw everything out."

The manager offered a sheepish, awkward smile when Amy locked eyes with him. Truthfully, he had received orders from above—if the women resisted, their belongings were to be forcibly removed.

Elsewhere, Nathan could barely contain his glee as he recounted Amy's predicament.

"Victoria, you should have seen how pathetic Amy looked last night. Homeless, then thrown out of her hotel—serves her right! I could watch her suffer forever!"

"And just wait—once Alexander finishes freezing her accounts, she won't even have money for a meal!"

The eviction and the financial blockade? All Nathan's doing.

Victoria smirked, her mood lifting for the first time in days.

Alexander wouldn't usually resort to such underhanded tactics, but he hadn't stopped Nathan either. Amy's recent defiance had finally pushed Alexander past his limits—he was done indulging her.

After savoring Amy and Samantha's misfortune, Nathan turned to Victoria with a fawning grin. "Oh, by the way, there's an auction tonight. Didn't you say Amy stole your necklace last time?"