A shadow crossed Anne’s face as old wounds resurfaced. Denis’s condescending smirk, his cold eyes, the way he had treated her like a pet rather than a person.
"He may be a good businessman," she continued, "but in his heart, he’ll only know one thing—transaction."
The word left a bitter taste on her tongue. It was the sa word Denis had thrown at her like a dagger, cutting deep. He once told her that Love didn’t exist and that it wouldn’t wake her father up from his coma. It was all about transaction—give and take.
Anne grabbed her glass and downed the remaining wine in one swift gulp.
Just then, thunderous applause erupted across the auction hall. The special guest in the private booth had won the bid, securing the coveted heart-shaped blue diamond necklace for himself.
Anne clapped along with the others, a wry smile curling on her lips. "Seventy million for a necklace!" she mused, shaking her head. "Quite the show-off."
Augustine stared at her intently. She had no idea – no idea that the very man she was criticizing—the arrogant billionaire, the so-called show-off—was right beside her.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
HeHeHe shifted uneasily in his seat, his fingers tightening into fists on his knees. A strange feeling gnawed at him—an emotion he couldn’t quite na. Was it frustration? Disappointnt? Amusent?
He wasn’t sure. But what he did know was that Anne’s words had struck sothing deep inside him.
How could she despise him so much?
Every ounce of power, every bit of influence he had today was earned through relentless effort, calculated risks, and sheer determination. His fortune wasn’t a re inheritance—it was the result of years of struggle, of sleepless nights, of sacrifices no one knew about.
"Why do you think it’s a show-off?" he asked, unable to hold back his curiosity. "Maybe he really loves his wife and bought it for her."
Anne’s reaction was instant. "Wife? He is married!" She gasped, her eyes widening as she turned to face him.
The shock in her voice made Augustine pause for a mont. And then, just as suddenly, sothing clicked in her mind.
"Wait a second." Her expression shifted from surprise to curiosity and then to excitent. "You know him quite closely, don’t you?" She asked, intrigued, her gaze sharp, searching for answers.
Augustine opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, Anne clapped her hands together, her grin widening. "Of course, you know him. After all, you have connections with the Sphere Group. That makes so much sense now."
Augustine froze, caught completely off guard. How was he supposed to respond to that? For a brief mont, he simply stared at her, his thoughts in disarray. Then, as if on instinct, he gave a slow, hesitant nod.
Anne, oblivious to his inner turmoil, practically bead. "That’s aweso! You should really maintain a good relationship with him. But be careful around him—powerful people tend to have fragile egos. You never know what might offend them."
Augustine didn’t know whether to laugh or bury his face in his hands. Here she was, unknowingly warning him to be cautious... around himself.
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head in disbelief. If only she knew.
His phone chid with an incoming ssage. He instinctively picked it up and glanced at the screen.
’Shall I deliver the necklace to your place?’
His fingers hovered over the keyboard as he mulled over the question. He didn’t want to take any chances by sending it ho, not yet. Instead, he quickly typed a response.
’No. Bring it to the office.’
He put his phone down and lifted his gaze—only to find Anne reaching for yet another glass of wine from a passing waiter. She took a leisurely sip, her cheeks already flushing.
"How much are you going to drink?" The question left his lips before he could stop himself.
Anne giggled, twirling the stem of the glass between her fingers. "I love its taste," she said playfully, her voice carrying a lightness that made Augustine sigh.
He shook his head in dismay. She was already drunk—he could see it in the way her eyes glead mischievously and how her words ca out just a tad slower. And he knew all too well what kind of trouble she could stir up when she was like this.
As she raised the glass to her lips again, he reached out and caught her wrist. "Enough. No more drinking."
Anne waggled a finger at him, her lips curving into an impish grin. "I’m not drunk," she declared before pushing his hand away and defiantly taking another sip.
Augustine exhaled sharply, ready to snatch the glass away when Gustave ca over and murmured sothing in his ear.
Augustine straightened instantly. His expression shifted from amused to serious in a heartbeat. He rose from his seat.
"Wait here for ," he instructed Anne. "I’ll be right back. And this—" he pointed at the glass in her hand, "is your last drink. Understood?"
Anne pressed her fingers against her lips, stifling a chuckle. She nodded obediently, though her mischievous eyes betrayed her. "I understand."
Augustine was not entirely convinced. "Good. And don’t wander around."
With one last glance at her, he strode away, Gustave following closely behind him.
Anne watched him go, taking another sip as she whispered, "No promises."
As they exited the grand auction hall, Augustine glanced at Gustave.
"I already discussed everything. What does he want now?" His tone was sharp, laced with impatience.
"No idea," Gustave responded promptly. "His secretary just called and said the mayor wants to speak with you urgently."
Augustine exhaled slowly, irritation flickering in his eyes. If he had been abroad, he wouldn’t have even considered a second eting. But here—tonight—he didn’t have the luxury of brushing off the mayor.
The man’s connections were valuable, crucial even, for his long-term business plans. Offending him now wasn’t an option.
With a resigned nod, he adjusted the cuffs of his suit. "Let’s go and see what else he has to say."
He strode forward, his long strides carrying him toward the study where the mayor was waiting. Gustave followed closely behind.
At Denis’s table...
Tania was a bit unhappy. "You promised the blue diamond necklace. But you didn’t even bid higher," she whined, her lips forming a tight pout.
Denis exhaled slowly, forcing a patient smile. "Tania, try to understand," he coaxed. "I’m looking for a partnership with the Sphere Group. When the president himself is bidding, do you really think I could challenge him? That would have been foolish. Besides—" he opened the velvet box and pushed it toward her, "—I already bought you this."
Tania’s gaze flickered on the shimring pink diamond necklace inside. The delicate gemstones glowed under the soft light, but the sight didn’t completely satisfy her.
Denis noticed her lingering discontent and sighed. "Alright, don’t sulk. I’ll buy you another necklace—whatever you want. Happy now?"
That was enough to make her smile, though a smug glint lingered in her eyes.
Denis had other things on his mind. He wasted no more ti. Rising to his feet, he straightened his suit and shot her a glance. "Stay here. I’ll be right back."
As he strode away, irritation crossed his face. "Won are so noisy sotis," he muttered under his breath, pushing his exasperation aside as he set out to find the elusive president of the Sphere Group.
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