Over the next few days, as if to make up for the absurdity of that night, Sebastian began to double down on treating Elena well. Every day he would bring back a bouquet of expensive imported flowers or limited-edition pastries. He even cancelled several important meetings just to join Elena for lunch. However, Elena could clearly smell the lingering scent of strange perfume on his shirt collar and see the hickey on the side of his neck covered by concealer. In Elena's eyes, his attentiveness was like the performance of a clumsy clown. Only three days remained until Elena's departure. That afternoon, Sebastian suddenly called home, his tone excited. "Elena, there's a charity gala tonight. The organizers specially invited us. I heard an authentic Monet, your favorite, will be on display. I've already had a gown sent home. You must come." Elena wanted to refuse, but on second thought, this might be the last time she appeared in public as "Mrs. Winters." "Alright." She agreed. The gala venue was filled with the scent of perfume and the rustle of silk; celebrities gathered in droves. Sebastian entered with Elena on his arm, instantly becoming the center of attention. Elena wore a deep blue velvet gown, simple yet noble, making her skin look as white as snow. Sebastian was in a black tailcoat, looking dashing and elegant. "Look, that's the Winters couple. Truly a match made in heaven." "I heard Sebastian plans to bid on that Monet tonight just to make his wife smile." The whispers around them were endless. Sebastian basked in the envious gazes, occasionally lowering his head to whisper in Elena's ear, displaying his deep affection. However, halfway through the gala, a figure in a red sequined mini-dress appeared at the other end of the venue. It was Mia. She didn't have an invitation, but she had entered on the arm of a wealthy businessman. The moment he saw Mia, Sebastian's body stiffened noticeably. Mia didn't seem to have any intention of avoiding suspicion. Holding a glass of champagne, she walked straight toward them. "Mr. Winters, Mrs. Winters, good evening." Mia smiled brilliantly, but her gaze fell provocatively on Elena. "I'm Mia, a designer at Sebastian's firm. I've heard so much about you." Elena glanced at her faintly, her gaze sweeping over Mia's fingers—they were bare; she wasn't wearing the "Winters Star." It seemed Sebastian wasn't stupid enough to let his mistress parade around wearing the lawful wife's ring on such an occasion. "Hello." Elena nodded politely but distantly. "This dress is beautiful, Mrs. Winters," Mia exclaimed with exaggerated admiration. "But doesn't this deep blue make you look a bit... old? I feel Sebastian prefers brighter colors, like red." She pointedly shimmied in her own red dress. Sebastian's face darkened. He shot Mia a stern look, signaling her to shut up. "Miss Mia certainly knows how to joke." Elena smiled slightly, retorting with breezy calm, "Red is indeed eye-catching, but on some occasions, dignity is more important than gaudiness. After all, not everyone has the stature to carry off such a regal blue." Mia's smile froze on her face, a trace of malice flashing in her eyes. Just then, the auction began. Monet's *Water Lilies* was brought onto the stage. To diffuse the awkwardness, Sebastian immediately raised his paddle. "Five million." He turned to Elena and said, "Darling, this is for you." The price soared, and eventually, Sebastian won the painting with a sky-high bid of twelve million. The audience thundered with applause. However, the moment the auctioneer's gavel fell, Mia suddenly clutched her stomach and collapsed to the floor, her face pale. "Ah... it hurts..." she moaned painfully. The crowd instantly erupted into commotion. Sebastian rushed over almost instinctively, pushing aside the onlookers to scoop Mia up. "Mia! What's wrong?" "Sebastian... my stomach hurts so much... save me..." Mia gripped his collar tightly, her eyes swimming with tears. Sebastian looked up, glancing at Elena who stood rooted in place. A trace of struggle flashed in his eyes, but looking at Mia moaning in pain in his arms, he finally made his choice. "Elena, I'm sorry. Mia is my employee. If something happens to her on my watch, I can't ignore it. I have to take her to the hospital." With that, disregarding the shocked gazes of those around him, he carried Mia and rushed out. The devoted husband who had just spent millions to buy a masterpiece for his wife was now holding another woman, leaving his wife alone under the public gaze. The venue fell into a dead silence, followed by an outbreak of whispers. Sympathy, mockery, and schadenfreude spotlighted Elena. Elena stood where she was, her back straight as a ramrod. She didn't cry, nor did she chase after him. She just quietly watched that retreating figure disappear through the door. "Mrs. Winters..." The organizer walked over awkwardly. "This painting..." "Mr. Winters won the painting; send the bill to him," Elena said calmly. "As for me, I'm tired. I'm going back first." She turned and left, her steps elegant and composed. Walking out of the hotel doors, the cold night wind hit her body. Elena took out her phone and opened that familiar livestream room. Sure enough, Mia hadn't gone to the hospital. The background of the stream was the back seat of a speeding luxury car. Mia was leaning into Sebastian's embrace, her complexion rosy, showing no sign of the pain she had just displayed. "Babies, I won." Mia smirked at the camera. "For me, he left that old woman and a twelve-million-dollar painting behind. You tell me, who does he really love?" Sebastian's voice came from off-camera, carrying a hint of helplessness and indulgence. "You little fox, faking it again? Do you know you put me in a very difficult spot just now?" "But I just wanted to know who is more important in your heart," Mia wheedled. "You..." Sebastian sighed, yet hugged her tighter. "I really can't do anything with you." Elena turned off the phone and tossed it into a roadside trash can. This phone had a tracking system Sebastian had installed to "protect" her. Now, she didn't need it. She flagged down a taxi. "To the airport." "Now? Ma'am, you don't have any luggage?" the driver asked. "No." Elena looked at the fleeting nightscape outside the window, her eyes clearer than they had ever been. "I threw out the trash. Now, I'm traveling light." Goodbye, Sebastian. Goodbye, Mrs. Winters. From tonight on, I am Elena Bennett. A free soul.