CHAPTER THREE

Ethan and Lillian moved into the hall as I followed closely.

The marble floor seemed to go on forever and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the building's magnificence was breathtaking.

The hall was lavishly decorated, with expensive tables that were beautifully carved and luxurious leather seats, the room was crowded with businessmen all wearing fitted suits.

Top-tier cars were placed in tidy rows outside the parking lot, which served as a garage for the wealthy and well-known. Despite the presence of the press, who took notes and took pictures, nobody requested an interview from us. “Ethan was not very established indeed”, I taught inaudibly.

Ethan paused as we walked into the hall, his gaze lingered as he searched the room.

Surely the only person he would be able to meet among these billionaires was Lillian's father, I quietly observed as I hurried right behind them.

I felt an electrifying jolt down my spine, I had never been in such an environment before. The clinking of glasses as the visitors sipped their champagne and the sound of whispered talks filled the room.

Ethan's gaze remained unsettled in the room, He understood how important it was to make a good impression.

I couldn't help but notice how Lillian seemed to sparkle in the middle of all this splendor as we moved through the crowd. Dressed in an odd outfit, she looked comfortable around the rich and influential, she was a true socialite.

However, I wasn't here to mingle. I came to work.

Then I caught sight of him—Lillian's father—a tall, powerful man with a dominant presence. He was the type of man that commanded attention, and as he approached us, the room appeared to open up for him.

Ethan had his gaze fixed on him, and he grinned a hesitant, eager smile. He had been waiting for this moment, which had the power to make or ruin his destiny in this new world.

However, I couldn't get rid of the uneasy sensation I had while I watched. There was something that didn't quite fit.

Why are we here? Ethan isn't so wealthy after all, or does it have a dark side? Are the rumors true? My eyes widened as realization dawned on me.

Lillian kissed her father's cheek, her lips grazing his grizzled skin as we walked up to Mr. Baron Slade. "Ah, darling," he said loudly, resonating in the room like thunder. "I see you've brought Ethan along." Mr Baron smiled as his eyes crinkled in the corner.

Mr. Slade's sharp blue eyes shifted to Ethan, who was standing erect and making an effort to project confidence. Mr. Slade added, "Well, Ethan, I think it's time you became accustomed to things like this," he opened his arms widely as he embraced Ethan, in a condescending tone. "You know your part, it is up for auction, However, I don't want other people to know that I own it. Won't you get it for me, Ethan?".

Ethan's face was a mask of resolve, and although his eyes wavered with doubt, he was able to gather himself. Lillian smiled, her lips twisting into a cunning smile, and gave him a gentle shove, her eyes glimmering with encouragement.

As I watched, my gaze flitting between the three of them, I felt like an amateur in the middle of these high-stakes transactions. Tension was high in the air, and Ethan's shoulders bearing the burden of Mr. Slade's expectations.

The speaker, a tall, thin man with a loud voice, announced the first item up for auction: a gorgeous diamond necklace valued at millions of dollars. The bidding started as the women in the crowd were nearly drooling at the glistening gemstones.

The speaker then revealed what Mr. Slade had been anticipating.

The speaker boasted, "It has a capacity of 10 terabytes, and its password cannot be cracked," in an enthusiastic tone. "It's the perfect tool for any business looking to stay ahead of the curve."

I taught myself this as well. This is something that is easily obtained in a gadget store rather than on auction.

The first bidder, Mr. Slade, made a firm and authoritative voice and offered $2,000 in his bid. However, a young, affable man seated two tables away from us placed a $5,000 bid while his intensely focused gaze was fixed on Mr. Slade. My heart pounded with excitement as I felt a wave of uneasiness at Ethan's $8,000 bid. Where did he obtain this cash?

Naturally, the bidding only went on as Mr. Slade, the young, attractive man, and Ethan engaged in a heated argument, their voices rising and falling in a crescendo of excitement. The crowd, however, screamed in disbelief as the charming man made a $200,000 bid. Ethan's $300,000 bid made my heart race and my hands start sweating.

Ethan's face flushed with delight and his eyes gleamed with victory as he ultimately won the offer at an incredible $500,000. My mind was racing with questions, and I was feeling concerned once more as I wondered how he was going to pay for it. Why would he even require a storage disc?

The guests began to depart as the auction was coming to an end.

I got up and went to the door to wait in the car for Ethan and Lillian.

The charming man who was also bidding for the storage disc then bumped into me, his face only a few inches away from mine, his green eyes latching into mine as his breath was hot on my cheek. "You..." his intimidating voice brought me out of my maze, his eyes narrowing into slits.

I was surprised, not sure what he meant, as my thoughts began racing.

“your spouse has my storage disc so you feel you own the world right?”, He grinned.

He turned around but paused on his track as he turned back to face me once again.

His eyes were drawn to my wrist this time.

His expression altered.

His finger jabbed in the air as he pointed at the jewelry on my wrist. "Where did you get it?"

I was perplexed, I tried to speak but he interrupted me "You stole it, right?"

My face became flushed with rage as I experienced a wave of wrath. "What!? "No, it belongs to me." With a forceful voice and confusion flashed in my eyes, I objected holding onto my wrist, covering my bracelet as if my life depended on it.

I was shaken by the man's charge, my pulse was pounding with anxiety. I hurried to wash my face in the washroom, I was losing my mind.

Our vehicle was waiting outside when I left the building, and the driver was standing at the door, a blank expression on his face. Ethan must still be inside the building I guess.

With questions still racing through my head, I waved at the man as I took the front seat.

My gaze landed on my bracelet, I took it off, gazing at it in awe.

My heart fell when I saw my name embossed on the lock in tiny writing, it was made of solid gold, and my eyes widened as the metal glistened in the sunshine.

Astonished, my heart pounding with anticipation, Oh my goodness. It was created just for me. However, how did I get it?

I have had it ever since I can remember.

What does this man know about it?