Chapter 13 - Fair Warning (1/2)
”Is there anyone who will challenge Booth#1's bid at ten million dollars?” The auctioneer's powerful voice tried to persuade his audience as if pleading them to bid higher. The adrenaline from the opening bid sent him on overdrive and he was in it to win it tonight.
”Eleven million, here,” another voice rang across the hall from a lady sitting by the proxy booth table with hand pressed on her ears as she listened to her boss's instruction through the device. Her name was Natalia. And just like Maxen, she hated losing in the bidding wars too, not after working for Maxen for almost ten years, proxy bidding on his royal highness's behalf.
The guests started to wonder who was behind those two phone calls and why would they bid that much on a weird portrait of a cat.
The proxy bidder for Booth#1, a blonde girl that looked more like a runway model raised her hand again and said, ”Fifteen million, sir.”
Gasps followed by silence. You can hear a pin drop in the hall. The auctioneer ran a hand over his face. If he could, he would pull his hair out too. But he needed to look dapper in the photos because tonight he made a record: the highest bid recorded for a royal cat portrait. A smug smile painted his face when he looked up to his left then to his right. His friend Emily was right about having a generous bidder in attendance tonight. His little movement didn't go unnoticed by the guests in the hall to who now started to steal glances on the balcony.
Just who were those people?
Seconds after the opening bid was made, up in the left balcony, Maxen sprang out of his chair in disbelief. He looked at Jack's way and gave out an order, ”Bid eleven million.” Jack whispered in the phone handset and nodded towards Maxen's way. Even with Maxen's back facing him, Jack could feel the domineering aura from his boss. Maxen would definitely split seas and move mountains just to have 'Sir James' in his collection. Feeling his throat go dry from the sudden rise of temperature in the room, he eyed the bar cart in the corner and thought about downing a glass of whiskey. And if the other bidder went all out for the opening bid, one thing was sure… tonight would be a long night for Jack.
Meanwhile in Olivia's booth, a seething with anger Olivia took a sip of her champagne. ”How dare they laugh at Sir James's portrait,” she said before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. However, her eyes instantly opened when she heard another bid on HER portrait. A corner of her lips lifted into a devious smirk as she thought to herself, 'A competition. That's new.'
”Secretary Gail, let's go home victorious tonight, shall we? Bid fifteen million,” Olivia said as she stood up and walked towards the tinted balcony window with the glass of champagne close to her c.h.e.s.t. She fixed her gaze on the sea of people below who were whispering to each other in their seats. ”Talking about how to reach my good graces tonight, huh?” She murmured to herself. She had an inkling that those people were now devising a plan to make small talk with her. She pivoted on her heel and walked back to her seat.
Behind her, Yana's knees shook and almost gave out. She could not believe what was unfolding before her eyes and to even think that somebody was trying to outbid Olivia too was beyond what her mind could process. Rich people really do have weird kinks.
While the bidding war between Maxen and Olivia continued, Selena stood from her seat and made her way out to the lobby to find someone who would sneak her to the private booths.