Chapter 86: The auction

Words : 1134 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 86: The auction As they entered the auction room, the air buzzed with murmured conversations, anticipation brimming in their eyes. The grand hall was nearly full, with guests seated at elegant tables draped in pristine white linens. Augustine guided Anne toward their designated table, his gaze flicking to her every now and then, gauging her mood. She was still upset, her lips formed a tight pout as she settled into her seat. He reached for her hand on the table. But Anne, still stubbornly holding onto her irritation, swiftly withdrew it and placed it in her lap. A smirk tugged at the corner of Augustine’s lips. Undeterred, he reached again, this time capturing her hand firmly. Anne stiffened, her head snapping toward him, eyes blazing with silent protest. She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. Her glare deepened. She gave another forceful tug, determined to break free. But Augustine remained as composed as ever, his expression unreadable, as if her struggles amused him. The more she resisted, the more unshaken he remained, his hold unwavering. Frustration surged within her, but after several failed attempts, she finally relented, letting out a small huff of defeat. Satisfied, Augustine smirked, his fingers wrapping around hers possessively. Just then, the auctioneer, a poised woman in an elegant navy blue dress, stepped onto the podium. The murmurs in the room gradually faded as she picked up the microphone, her voice ringing out smoothly. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s exclusive auction. Let us begin." Augustine’s gaze remained on the stage, but his grip on Anne’s hand never loosened, his thumb absentmindedly brushing over her knuckles. The auctioneer’s voice echoed through the grand hall as bids were placed one after another. Several antique sculptures, elegant paintings, designer handbags, and exquisite jewelry had already found their owners. Augustine leaned in slightly toward Anne and murmured in her ear, "Don’t you like anything?" Anne’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she shook her head. "I don’t want anything." The coldness in her tone made it clear that she was still upset with him. Her sulky demeanor only amused Augustine. He chuckled softly. He turned his gaze toward the stage where two dazzling necklaces were displayed—one adorned with pink diamonds and the other with a mesmerizing blue heart-shaped diamond. "Which one do you like?" he asked, pointing at the necklaces on display. "Just tell me, and I’ll buy it for you." Anne’s eyes lingered on the blue diamond necklace. She recalled the murmurs she had overheard earlier. "Isn’t that the most expensive necklace here?" she asked, arching a brow as she pointed at the heart-shaped blue diamond. "I heard people talking about it." Augustine tilted his head slightly. "Oh? And what exactly did you hear?" he asked curiously. "That it’s an antique, extremely rare, and... very costly," she said, hesitating for a moment before adding, "I bet Denis is planning to buy it for Tania." At the mention of Denis, Augustine’s expression darkened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a lazy grin as he turned his attention back to the stage. "Let’s see if he actually does," he mused with quiet confidence. "I’m going to bid." "Are you serious?" she hissed under her breath. "It’s ridiculously expensive. Do you even know how much it costs?" Augustine leaned back against his chair, adjusting his coat with an air of absolute nonchalance. "I know," he said smoothly as if the price was of no consequence to him. Anne blinked in astonishment, her confusion deepening. She knew Augustine came from a wealthy family, and spending a few million was nothing for him. But his strained relationship with the Beaumonts was no secret. His uncle and Denis had done everything in their power to push him out of the family, denying him any share of their fortune. Yet, here he was, effortlessly declaring he would bid for the most expensive necklace in the auction. Just then, he raised his hand and said, "Ten million." She gasped, her gaze flickering between his composed expression and the bidding paddle in his hand. Ten million? ’Does he really make a lot of money over the years?’ she wondered. It didn’t make sense. Without the backing of the Beaumonts, how had he gathered resources? His return had shaken the most powerful family in the city, and he wasn’t acting like someone struggling for power—he exuded confidence, control, and authority. The more she thought, the more suspicious she grew about his real identity. ’Who is he really? What is he hiding from me?’ Before she could voice her thoughts, the auctioneer’s animated voice echoed through the room. "Ten million for this lovely pink diamond jewelry." Anne’s head snapped toward the stage, her mouth parting in shock. Pink diamond? She had assumed he was bidding on the blue heart-shaped diamond, the centerpiece of the night. "Are you buying that?" she whispered in astonishment, turning back to Augustine. "Ten million? For a necklace? Seriously?" A slow, amused smirk curled on his lips. "Your husband isn’t as poor as you think," he murmured, his dark eyes glinting mischievously. "I’m wealthy enough to give my wife a luxurious life and shower her with expensive gifts." Anne’s heart skipped a beat at his words, but before she could react, another voice cut through the hall. "Twenty million." The confident, almost smug tone made both Augustine and Anne turn their heads toward the front row. Denis. He sat with his bidding paddle raised, his expression cool and unwavering. Augustine’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened. Anne, on the other hand, felt a strange sense of unease settle in her stomach. The battle had begun between them, and it would only worsen. ’No, I have to stop this. I can’t let Augustine challenge Denis openly.’ Augustine was ready to raise the bid when a firm hand stopped him. Anne’s grip on his arm tightened as she met his gaze. "No, I don’t want that," she said firmly. "I don’t like it." For a moment, Augustine remained silent, taken aback. He had been certain the pink diamond necklace would complement her elegant outfit. But she didn’t want it? His brows furrowed slightly, but then he thought, ’She must want the blue diamond necklace instead.’ A slow, knowing smile returned to his face. He had already planned to bid for the blue diamond necklace, but he would do it secretly. He couldn’t let anyone—especially Denis—know his real identity yet. The time to reveal who he really was had not come. Just then, the hall erupted with thunderous applause. "And it’s sold," The auctioneer’s excited voice rang out. "The pink diamond necklace is sold to the gentleman at table number eleven." She gestured to Denis, sitting in the front row.

Chapter 86: The auction

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