It was Crystal Chelsea.

Crystal's attitude was insufferably arrogant, though she technically had the wealth to

back it up.

Even when the staff politely explained that VIP Suite 9 had been reserved by another client today, she flat-out refused to back down.

"Are you new here?"

Jasmine, who had tagged along with Crystal, piped up. "This is Mrs. Wilder, the wife of the Omniva Bank CEO. She is a regular at your auction house and always uses Suite 9. If you're really this clueless, go fetch your boss."

"I'm so sorry, but we really can't free up Suite 9 today," the staff member said, looking deeply troubled.

Crystal, out of patience, simply pulled out her phone and called her personal agent.

The agent arrived promptly. His position and authority were significantly higher than the floor staff's.

"Hurry up and make the switch. This is the wife of the Omniva Bank CEO, one of our premium members," the agent ordered.

"Sir, we really can't do that today..."

The agent's face darkened. He pulled the staff member aside and hissed, "What the hell are you doing? Do you realize she's a literal cash cow for this auction house? Her spending points rank in the top five!"

The staff member looked frantic. "I know that, but the person inside is... different."

Having completely exhausted her patience, Crystal ignored their whispered debate and marched straight over to yank the door open.

As she pushed it wide, she announced with supreme arrogance, "I want to see exactly who thinks they're important enough to steal my personal suite."

The moment the words left her mouth, she locked eyes with Noreen, who was sitting casually inside.

A suffocating silence fell over the room.

Crystal's agent rushed over. When he saw Noreen sitting there, the color instantly drained from his face.

"I was wondering who it was," Crystal sneered, recovering her composure and doubling down on her haughty demeanor. "Turns out it's just Ms. Gilmore."

Jasmine hadn't expected to run into Noreen either, and her expression twisted into something notably awkward.

"Miss Chelsea," Noreen greeted her politely.

Crystal was already in a foul mood, and hearing Noreen address her by her maiden name only poured salt in the wound.

She felt utterly convinced that Noreen was subtly mocking her impending divorce from Dylan Wilder.

"Ms. Gilmore, since you don't frequent the auction house, you probably aren't familiar with the rules here. I am a premium VIP. Apex Auctions, and my

points easily rank in the pendiat

top

granting me higher privileges. The suite you're currently occupying is my usual room. I'm used to it, so I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to vacate it."

Having delivered her demand, she added in a sickeningly

condescending tone, "To make up for the inconvenience, I'll gladly cover the cost of your refreshments, in whatever room they move you to.'

Before Noreen could even respond, Claire jumped to her feet.

"Excuse me, who do you think you are? You say 'move,' and we're just supposed to move? Ever heard of first-come, first-served? You're dressed to the nines yet you have the manners of Street thug."

Crystal shot Claire a disdainful glare. Seeing a completely unfamiliar face that had

never graced Rivercrest City's elite circles, she immediately wrote her off as insignificant.

Noreen had someone defending her.

Naturally, Crystal had someone defending her too.

Jasmine stepped forward, her tone dripping with icy superiority. "Didn't you hear

Mrs. Wilder? She's a premium VIP. She has priority selection."

Claire opened her mouth to snap back, but Noreen raised a hand to stop her.

Noreen's expression remained perfectly serene as she spoke in an unhurried drawl. "I've never heard of a rule giving premium VIPs priority selection."

Another wealthy socialite in Crystal's entourage scoffed. "It's perfectly normal that you wouldn't know. After all, you rarely ever come here."