"May you enjoy the auction, CEO Xu and Mr. Zhang."
An attendant in a neatly pressed uniform welcod Calix and Edward at the grand door of the auction hall. The silver card addressed to Calix Xu was already in the forr’s hand.
More guests, all dressed in expensive outfits, loitered in the hallway outside, waiting to hand in their invitations before being let in. The giant clock on the wall struck six-thirty.
"Thank you."
Calix smiled faintly at the attendant before making their way inside the auction hall. Edward quietly followed him from behind. Their steps were steady and unhurried.
Shimring silver and midnight blue draped the grand, elegantly lit ballroom. The huge chandelier cast a warm glow over the room, followed by smaller lights.
So guests road the room, chatting with each other while the others were seated on the plush chairs arranged facing the stage. They had a booklet each where they could see the treasures listed for tonight’s auction.
Dressed in a finely tailored suit, Calix carried himself with his usual quiet confidence. He noticed the occasional admiring glance thrown by the guests who recognized him but, he paid them no attention.
"Boss Xu, wanna bet?" whispered Edward from behind, his eyes subtly darting around the hall, "The first person who approaches you will ask about the madam and the little miss."
Calix internally rolled his eyes, knowing full well what Edward ant.
Both n were aware of the huge interest the people in high society had in Leslie and Calliope, especially after the statent released by Calix last month.
"I won’t do a losing bet."
"Urgh..."
Edward clicked his tongue. His eyes zeroed in on a small group of people approaching Calix from the right side. Their faces shone with a blend of curiosity and eagerness.
"Calix! I haven’t seen you in ages!"
An older woman in a pearl-studded erald gown approached Calix with a warm smile. She was one of Harper’s close acquaintances.
"Good evening, Mrs. Feng," Calix nodded slightly at the woman, smiling politely, "You’ve beco more beautiful from the last ti I saw you."
"Oh, you jest," Mrs. Feng covered her face, beaming from Calix’s praise. She quickly added, "Why are you alone with your assistant? I thought I could finally et your wife and daughter ah."
Calix could hear Edward ’I told you so’ even without looking at the annoying assistant of his. Keeping a refined smile on his lips, he answered warmly but non-committal.
"Perhaps another ti. As you know, my wife is still recuperating. Even my relatives haven’t had the chance to et them."
Calix was telling the truth. Either his close or distant relatives, no one had t Leslie and Calliope.
Despite their wish to et the surprised addition to Calix’s family, Old Madam Xu sternly declared it wouldn’t happen until the right ti.
"I forgot. Hopefully, your wife will get better soon. I’m not the only one dying to et the mysterious Mrs. Xu and your daughter," Mrs. Feng let out a soft sigh.
"Yes, you must introduce them to us soti," another older woman chid in, clasping her hands together, "I heard she’s as adorable as the little Alia. Your grandmother is surely happy to have another cute great-grandchild. Also a new granddaughter-in-law."
The ntion of his wife and daughter lted Calix’s lips into a more honeyed smile. He nodded, "Yes. My grandmother adores them both. I’m always get cast aside."
Mrs. Feng and the small group burst into laughter, amused to see the delighted look on Calix’s face. Even the eavesdropping guests from other directions could see it.
"CEO Xu, you should head to your seat now," Edward stepped in, knowing the interaction was enough already, "The auction will begin soon."
"See you again, Mrs. Feng, everyone," Calix looked around at the small group, "Perhaps there will be good news later. Who knows?"
Calix’s statent gave rise to ’Ohhh’ from Mrs. Feng and her acquaintances. Nodding slightly at them, the young man and his close aide moved through the crowd, heading to their seats.
Calix and Edward sank into the plush chairs in the middle of the front-row seat. A small table stood between their chairs.
"Will you get sothing for Mrs. Leslie and Little Miss Poppy?" asked Edward, his voice tingeing with intrigue once he saw Calix opening the booklet.
Without looking at Edward, Calix answered, "Maybe. I want to get them sothing but, let’s see what we’ve got here."
Pieces of jewelry, paintings and sculptures were among the items listed for the auction. Calix also saw the starting bid price for each object.
’Oh? These two things...’
"CEO Xu! I didn’t expect to see you here."
Calix’s thoughts were cut short by soone suddenly greeting him. He refrained from smirking once he heard the familiar voice.
Tilting his chin up, three figures were reflected in Calix’s eyes. He noticed all of them, and so did Edward who quietly stared at the small group.
"Mr. Yan, good evening. I didn’t expect to see you here either," Calix smiled at Daniel Yan, his face showing nothing was amiss, "Oh, I saw another familiar face. Belle."
"Brother Calix... hi," Belinda waved at Calix. She held onto a man’s arm, "Seems like you’re acquainted with Mr. Yan. I was surprised when he said that."
"I t Mr. Yan twice before. What a small world."
Calix nodded. His eyes darted to the man next to Belinda—the one and only Nicholas Wu.
"Who is this gentleman? A new acquaintance of yours too? Or, oh! Is this the friend you dined with at the hotel before?"
A red blush spread on Belinda’s cheeks. She responded shyly, "You rember that?"
"I rember seeing a man at your table," Calix widened his smile, "My guess hit the target it seems."
Belinda’s cheeks were stained with a deeper shade of red. Glancing at the man beside her, she said, "Actually, this is my boyfriend, Nicholas Wu. Nick, this is my cousin’s friend. He’s Calix Xu."
"Good evening, CEO Xu. It’s an honor to et you. I’m Nicholas Wu. Daniel here is my business partner."
Nicholas extended his right hand to which Calix accepted the gesture without missing a beat.
"I’m Calix Xu. It’s a pleasure to et you as well, Mr. Wu."
The two n shook hands firmly with different intentions brewing in their minds.
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