Stella sat frozen, utterly stunned.
She finally understood the meaning behind the saying, "To the rich, money is just numbers."
To these elite collectors, bidding tens of millions on a painting was no more significant than her spending a few hundred dollars on groceries. The sheer scale of their wealth felt surreal—intangible, almost inhuman. They tossed out bids like confetti, not a flicker of hesitation in their eyes.
While Stella remained awestruck, mouth slightly open in disbelief, Ava was the picture of composure.
Raised by a meticulous, emotionally restrained grandfather and immersed in the world of art from the time she could walk, Ava had spent her life brushing shoulders with priceless works in galleries and private estates. Over time, she'd learned to admire their value without being dazzled by their price tags.
