Chapter 7 - The Auction on the Terrace
The day of the public auction arrived under a brilliant, crisp October sky.
The grand terrace of the Hudson Valley estate had been transformed into a professional auction gallery. Over two hundred bidders, corporate investors, real estate moguls, and curious onlookers sat under a massive white marquee tent erected right beside the empty swimming pool.
At the front of the tent stood a high wooden podium occupied by one of New York's premier asset auctioneers.
In the second row of the guest seating sat my parents.
Mom was wearing a beautiful dark green wool dress that we had bought together at a boutique in Manhattan the week before. Dad sat beside her in a brand-new tailored charcoal suit that fit his shoulders perfectly—a suit he had proudly paid for himself with money from his shop.
They sat comfortably, holding hands, looking calm and relaxed amidst the crowd of millionaires and investors.
I sat near the front row beside Daniel Mercer and the legal team from Apex Capital, monitoring the live digital bidding terminals.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer’s voice boomed through the sound system. "Welcome to the court-ordered liquidation sale of Sterling Estate Assets. All proceeds from today’s proceedings will be placed into the judicial receivership fund managed by Apex Capital."
The bidding opened with the fine jewelry collection.
Olivia’s diamond necklaces, luxury timepieces, and gold bracelets were brought out on velvet trays held by court marshals. Bids erupted instantly across the floor.
"Fifty thousand! Sixty thousand! Seventy-five thousand!" the auctioneer called out rapidly.
I watched as item after item was sold off at record prices.
Then came Lot 14—a rare three-carat diamond ring set in platinum. It was the original engagement ring that Olivia had tried to force me to wear when Ethan proposed.
"Opening bid for Lot 14 at twenty thousand dollars," the auctioneer announced.
"Twenty-five!" a bidder in the front row called out.
"Thirty!" another shouted.
Sitting in the back row, disguised under a large sun hat and dark sunglasses, was Ethan’s aunt, Victoria Sterling—the only member of the Sterling family who hadn't been indicted. She was trying desperately to buy back family heirlooms before they were lost forever.
"Forty thousand!" Victoria called out, raising her paddle.
"Fifty thousand!" a voice called from the side aisle.
Everyone turned to look.
Standing near the edge of the tent was Martin Vale, holding a paddle on behalf of the creditor syndicate. "Sixty thousand."
"Sixty-five!" Victoria countered, her voice shrill with desperation.
"One hundred thousand," Martin said calmly, without missing a beat.
The auctioneer slammed his gavel down. "Sold for one hundred thousand dollars to the creditor syndicate!"
I looked back at Victoria, who lowered her paddle, slumping back in her chair in utter defeat.
By three o'clock, the personal property auctions had generated over six million dollars—more than enough to pay off every single local vendor, caterer, florist, and musician in full.
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"And now, ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer announced, clearing his throat. "We move to the final lot of the afternoon. Lot 45: The Sterling Estate at Hudson Valley. Comprising forty-two acres of prime riverfront property, a twenty-thousand-square-foot main manor, carriage house, and private docks. Opening bid is set at eight million dollars."
A heavy hush fell over the crowd under the tent.
