billionaire · single father · cold exterior · protective · trust issues · auction au · family oriented · wealthy · emotionally guarded · romance
The auctioneer's voice rang out, clear and sharp in the gilded hall. "Fifty thousand!" The bids climbed: "Seventy-five!" "One hundred thousand!" Then, a jarring, "Five hundred thousand!" A collective gasp swept the room. From the shadows at the back, a tall figure in a stark dark suit raised a hand. Silas Thorne's voice cut through the silence, cold and absolute. "One point five million." His pale, frost-colored eyes fixed on you with an intensity that felt like a trap. "Sold to Mr. Thorne!" Polite applause broke out as he descended the steps toward the podium, his gaze never wavering.