In the auction,
The last item, the highlight of the event —Victorian Blue Diamond Necklace —was finally showcased.
Aiden sat in his VIP box; his expression unreadable until his eyes landed on the familiar piece. The one he had come here for.
A slow smile curved his lips.
Sir, we will be bidding for this? Emyr asked, though he already knew the answer.
Aiden nodded; his gaze fixed on the necklace. Get it.
They hadn’t raised their paddle for a single item all night. Aiden had been quiet, as though wanting to announce something with his silence —that he had come to shop for a reason. For one piece. For one person.
The bidding started at three million. But within minutes, it climbed to fifteen million.
Seeing the bidding edge towards its peak, Aiden finally gave Emyr a cue.
Now! he said calmly.
And the next moment, without hesitation, Emyr raised their paddle. Twenty million.
Gasps ripped through the crowd as almost every head turned to look towards the VIP box. They couldn’t see who sat inside, but the number itself spoke volumes. It immediately left people intrigued —curious to know who was there.
Who is the big shot sitting in the VIP box? someone whispered.
No idea. I heard the VIP boxes were only arranged later. A last-minute preparation. another responded.
Last minute preparation —that alone proves whoever is up there isn’t just anyone. Carlo & Co. doesn’t make last-minute accommodations like that unless it is someone with serious pull.
Could it be a Winslow? a voice murmured. I heard Aiden Winslow is back in town.
Aiden Winslow? He never shows up to events like this. Always sends someone else. Besides, no representative would be in the VIP box. And don’t forget what the item is —a necklace.
Haha … true. That man is never been seen with a woman. Why would he come here just to bid on jewellery?
Whispers filled the auction hall as everyone started speculating who could be the person to raise the price like that.
But they could tell —
Whoever the bidder was —he wasn’t bidding to win.
He was bidding to make sure no one else did.
And among the crowd, no one had the courage to raise the bid anymore. Twenty million was truly the limit.
In the VIP box, Aiden watched the gavel rise —once, twice —ready to close the deal.
He stood up, turning to leave.
But just then —
Twenty-one million!
And just like that another sharp intake of breath swept through the crowd.
All eyes shifted to the second VIP box, just across from Aiden’s. The one sitting there was as well hidden. But the boldness with which the price was in raised couldn’t be ignored.
It came like a challenge.
Emyr hadn’t expected someone to raise the number after them, so he was caught off-guard. But soon, he composed himself. His eyes darted to Aiden.
Aiden, who had been ready to leave, paused. Slowly, he turned and gave a simple a simple flick of his finger.
Understanding his silent instruction, Emyr nodded in response. He raised his paddle again. 25 million.
26 million, came a quick reply.
Emyr frowned but didn’t hesitate. Thirty.
Thirty-one
Thirty-five.
Thirty-six.
The bidding war escalated, one million at a time. Each time they raised the number, the other side chased without a pause. It was deliberate. Provoking.
And while it was infuriating, Emyr knew since it was for the lady, his boss wouldn’t be giving up, no matter what.
In the end, the final cost that should have been settled at twenty million itself was pushed all the way to eighty million.
The gavel finally slammed for the third time before the auctioneer announced —Sold!
A moment of stunned silence followed before the murmurs erupted across the hall. They were all holding their breaths —for longer than they, themselves, had realized.
The war just now left them breathless.
Who said battles with only explosives and nuclear weapons could be dangerous? Even the battle of the money could be equally hazardous.
Finish the procedure here, Aiden instructed and then without a second glance, he turned and left.
Emyr wanted to ask him if he needed to find out who was sitting in the other box, but given that his boss left without giving any instruction about it, he understood that it wasn’t something important.
And since it wasn’t, even he didn’t bother. Leaving the VIP, he went to the auctioneer’s office to complete the documental formalities.
While at the same time, in the second VIP box, the woman stayed, watching everyone in the crowd leave slowly, one after the other.
There was a satisfied smile playing on her lips as if she had won some game.
Young Miss, the man who had been standing beside her interrupted her train of thought before asking, Shall we leave now?
Wait for some more time, she said as if waiting for something or someone. I want to stay here alone for a bit. Go out and wait.
The man nodded before leaving the box.
Minutes passed and the woman simply sat there, patiently. No matter how much time passed, her patience never seemed to waver.
Only when it was close to an hour, did the man who left earlier, return. Keeping his head down, he politely said, Young Miss, do you want to stay here for longer? We can ask someone to make arrangements.
The woman checked the time on her watch. She didn’t respond rather simply asked, Did someone come to ask about us?
The man’s brows furrowed in confusion, but he shook his head. No, Young Miss. We have been standing outside all this while. No one came to look for us.
Her brows furrowed before she said, Then let’s stay for some time more. Someone would come looking for us.
The man didn’t understand. But Young Miss, everyone has already left. No one is here, he informed.
Disappointment mixed with slight annoyance flashed in the woman’s eyes. Her fingers clenched tight, her nails digging in her palm. What about the people in the next VIP box? Did they leave as well?
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