As the appetizer was finished, the entrée was brought out for each guest, and it went by just as slowly as the appetizer. People were talking among themselves and were lifting bites of food up to their mouths. Pieces of smoked salmon broke off in flakes and onto their forks, as her stomach made quiet noises. Occasionally, Mr. Helmsgrove would ask if she would like to eat at some food, but she shook her head in response. She just wanted everyone to finish eating, so that she didn't have to stare at the food on their plates.

Frankly, she could only peer at the city lights and stars for so long before the smell of the food got to her. At some points she was half-tempted to set the doll aside and ask for a plate. Her stomach certainly wished for her to do so. When dessert was served, she just kept her gaze on the covered doll and sighed. Thankfully, though, it didn't last too long.

So, when everyone had finished their food, Frederic stood up from his chair. Everyone turned their attention towards him, as he smiled at the crowd. "Now, that our food is finished, I think it's time that we commence the bidding for the doll. (F/n) please stand up and come over here."

Doing so, she walked over to him and stood beside him on his right side. She held the covered doll up, so that it was sitting in her arms and facing the audience. Frederic placed his right hand on top of the cover of the doll, ready to pull it off.

His hand tugged on the sheet, as he announced, "I present the winter holiday doll!" The sheet fell to the ground, and (f/n) stared down at the doll. Her (e/c) eyes widened at the sight of it. It was certainly stunning, and she felt honored to inspire such beauty. Still, the doll looked nothing like her. It was as if Edgar had used someone completely different as the model.

Long silky soft strands of snow white hair cascaded down her shoulders to her ankles. Her dress was snow white as well and was made of cotton and lace. It was styled in the fashion of a ballroom gown. Pink, white and silver snowflake patterned lace covered the cotton fabric on the bottom part of the dress, while the top had no design on it and was in a v-neck fashion. There was a pink silk ribbon wrapped around her waist, and a snowflake pin rested in the center of the bow, which was on the right side of her waist. The pin shined, as regular and pink diamonds decorated the shape.

Lace, identical to the material around the bottom of the dress, glided over her arms. Small pink silk bows rested on each elbow, while a regular diamond was fastened in the center of each. Gloss pink heels rested on her feet and had regular diamonds, in the shape of snowflakes, on the front of each shoe.

Turning her attention to the doll's face, (f/n) found that the doll's lips were decorated with a light pink gloss that transitioned to a white hue towards the outer part of the lips. She looked to the doll's eyes and was slightly taken aback. They were a bright pink and had a dark pink rim around the edges of the eyes' irises. Long white eyelashes, decorated with sparkling silver paint, fanned out over the eyes and added to the doll's graceful appearance.

Despite all of this, she couldn't get past the fact that the doll was so different from her. Scanning her eyes over the crowd, (f/n) could tell that there was some confusion among them. Personally, she wanted to run away at that moment, but she stood her ground and decided to just get the auction over with. Just why did Edgar need her for a muse, though, if he was going to make the doll look entirely foreign to her appearance?

While doubt started to set in her mind, Frederic began the auction, which directed the attention somewhat away from her. Still, she didn't pay attention to the rising numbers. Rather, she wondered if this is how Edgar idealized her. Did he secretly want her to look this? Were all the compliments, which he gave her, just a false play of words? Or, had he been imagining her like this every time that he had admired her?

Why did it feel like she was about to cry? Was she going to break out into tears in front of the crowd before her? She didn't know, but if it weren't for the doll covering her arms and hands, the crowd would see those limbs trembling. If only Edgar were present, so that she could ask him the meaning of this.

Perhaps, she was feeling so torn apart because she was starting to become jealous of the doll. Over the past six weeks, Edgar had spent more time with the doll than her. He had been crafting something apparently based off of her, yet it looked nothing like her. Was this doll what he found most magnificent? Didn't he consider her to be as lovely as this doll? Just what was wrong with her?

"And, the doll is sold to Clarice Jinson," Frederic announced, breaking (f/n) from her thoughts.

The woman from before with the red hair stood up from her chair and walked over to her. (F/n) wiped any worry from her eyes, as the woman came closer. Handing the doll to Clarice, (f/n) noted the sympathetic gaze that the woman gave her. She merely smiled in response to Clarice's expression.

With the doll in her hands, Clarice returned to her seat and sat the doll on her lap. A smile was spread across her lips, as she sent a smirk towards Julianna. In response Julianna rolled her eyes. As for (f/n), she went back to her seat and kept her gaze downwards. Mr. Helmsgrove and Frederic both gave her looks similar to that of Clarice's. Personally, she didn't wish for Frederic's sympathy. She just desired him to get the announcement over, so that she could speak with Edgar.

Frederic remained standing, as he kept the attention of the crowd. "Before you all head out for the evening, there is just one more announcement to make. This will prove most beneficial to the company, since the company will gain an excellent member. With their help the company will grow, and the company will..."

He couldn't finish, however, since Mr. Helmsgrove stood up and interrupted him. (F/n) peered over at the older man, figuring that he was about to initiate whatever plan Edgar had in store. "Excuse me, Mr. Delanas, but some of us already are aware of your plans for the company. Some of my fellow contacts and me have already taken action to put them into place."

"I'm afraid that I don't know what you mean," Frederic replied, his light brown eyes quickly scanning over the people in the crowd. (F/n) could see his facial expression grow with slight panic, as though he thought that he would see certain individuals in the crowd. Evidently, he couldn't find them.

"It's simple. You were going to announce that the company will expand after tonight. This has already been put into action. A new store will be built with the New Year. It will give more people access to The Tinkerer's Treasure. As for the new member to the company, Mr. Delanas has graciously accepted that my son, Howard, will take over. You forgot to mention the other one, though." He proceeded to rest his left hand on (f/n)'s right shoulder. "Ms. (L/n) will help my son make the additional toys.

"I must say that we were saddened to hear of your retirement at such a young age, Mr. Delanas. Still, I thank you for accepting my son as your successor." Mr. Helmsgrove glanced around the room and added, "Let's give Mr. Delanas a hand for his wonderful work in the past years."

Whispers traveled around the room, while some started to clap with Mr. Helmsgrove. (F/n) just sat shocked. Her mind had dealt with too much tonight. First, the doll's appearance and now this, she hadn't expected Edgar to accept the idea of expansion, yet Mr. Helmsgrove proved that assumption to be wrong.

Glancing over at Frederic, she saw him stand very still, as his gaze turned onto her. Despite his calm appearance, there was clear rage in his light brown eyes. His hands were clenched into fists, and he looked like he wanted to kill her. As the clapping grew in volume, he walked over to her. In one swift movement, he grabbed the front of her dress with his left hand and lifted her out of her seat.

"What's the meaning of this?" he basically growled out, as he raised his right hand, ready to slap her across the face.

Mr. Helmsgrove quickly stepped in and took her away from him, as he yelled out his question again. The clapping died down, as glances and concerned whispers spread throughout the area. "She knew nothing of this, Mr. Delanas. Besides, I don't know why you're getting so worked up. This is what you wanted."

"This is not what I had planned, so where is he, Kaleb! He must be somewhere in the building, so bring him out!" Frederic shouted angrily, as some people backed away a bit.

Sighing, Mr. Helmsgrove spoke to everyone in the room, "It would seem that Mr. Delanas is not himself. He must have drunk too much. Everyone, the event is over, and Mr. Delanas thanks you for coming."

"What?! I didn't drink too much. Don't use that excuse old man! Bring him out!" Frederic continued to yell, as guests started to leave, worry written across their faces. Still, some guests wished (f/n) the best with regards to her new job, and others said their goodbyes to Mr. Helmsgrove.

When all of them were gone, Frederic let out all of his anger and went to pull (f/n) towards him. Mr. Helmsgrove, though, kept her behind him and took a step back from Frederic. "Frederic, you should have seen this coming when you tried to cross your brother. This is your consequence for thinking that you could get rid of him. Now, you'll be the one to be locked away," Mr. Helmsgrove stated calmly.