Chapter 5 The Gift

Noticing Adeline zooming in and out on the Nebula's Heart photo from the corner of his eye, Ronald couldn't help asking, "Interested?"

Adeline nodded instinctively. "My thesis was on classical jewelry analysis, but I've only seen photos of most pieces. I've never seen the actual items—it's quite unfortunate."

Especially the most treasured pieces, all in private collections, were unavailable even in museums.

Ronald raised an eyebrow. No wonder she was so eager to come along—it was for this necklace.

They arrived at the auction with ten minutes to spare.

Ronald was escorted to a VIP seat in the front row.

The moment he entered, people stood to greet him.

As the heir to the country's largest jewelry brand, Ronald's status was undeniable.

All eyes inevitably turned to Adeline beside him.

Her features were youthful and fresh, with an indescribable natural charm.

For years, Ronald had been accompanied by his former secretary, Shirley Walker. This was the first time he'd brought someone new.

Many had speculated that with no women in Ronald's life, perhaps Shirley would become the future Mrs. Williams.

But now that he had someone new by his side—someone with Adeline's pretty face—people began to wonder about her identity.

A middle-aged man sitting next to Ronald stood up with a jovial smile, shaking his hand. "Mr. Williams, arriving so late? Were you escorting this lovely lady somewhere?"

"She wasn't feeling well. We stopped at the hospital."

Ronald's casual remark triggered a wave of gasps around them.

Ronald Williams—the business legend of the jewelry world, a man whose success many could only dream of, known for his coldness toward everyone—actually cared about a woman's discomfort and personally accompanied her to the hospital?

Feeling the curious stares around her, Adeline's scalp prickled with anxiety.

Her mind raced as she quickly formulated a response. "Yes, Mr. Williams is considerate of his employees. He was concerned I might not be able to perform my duties."

"Employee?" The middle-aged man blinked.

Adeline nodded immediately. "I'm Mr. Williams' secretary, Adeline."

The middle-aged man made a sound of understanding. "No wonder Shirley isn't here. You've replaced her."

He gave Ronald a meaningful look, then turned his gaze to Adeline.

Ronald subtly shifted his position, blocking the man's view.

Adeline clenched her fists, struggling to maintain the expressionless professionalism of a secretary.

Inside, she was already crying. She'd just insisted she didn't want to be a secretary, yet here she was, publicly confirming the role. Taking it back now seemed impossible.

Looking around at these people—either jewelry industry moguls or members of prominent families—she realized that if she offended Ronald, she'd probably end up delivering food for a living.

Contemplating this bleak future, Adeline sat mechanically beside Ronald, a cloud of gloom hanging over her.

However, once the auction began, her spirits revived instantly.

This auction featured exclusively rare jewelry, each piece more exquisite than the last.

She'd attended auctions before, but never had she seen so many world-class, top-tier pieces in one place.

The first three items alone were of national treasure caliber, leaving her heart racing with excitement.

As she observed each piece, she quickly sketched draft designs in her notebook.

This had been her habit for years.

Whenever she encountered exceptional works or felt inspired, she would draw them in her always-present notebook.

Inspiration was fleeting, and she never wasted an opportunity to capture it.

Noticing the sketches in her notebook, Ronald asked without thinking, "Want me to take you backstage later for a closer look?"

"Really?" Adeline's voice rose with excitement before she could control it, drawing glances from several people.

Ronald nodded, then turned his attention back to the item on stage. "Raise the paddle."

Hearing his command, Adeline didn't hesitate, immediately lifting her paddle.

"Bidder number 01, offering five million dollars!"

Adeline started, looking up at the pair of rings on display. She quickly slipped back into work mode, remembering this was one of the target acquisitions Ronald had mentioned earlier.

By the end, though, the rings—worth five or six million dollars at most—had been driven up to ten million dollars, and Adeline's hand trembled as she held up the paddle.

Ronald, however, accepted the price without batting an eye.

Seeing Adeline's dejected expression, he frowned slightly. "You think it's not worth it?"

"It's not that," she said, secretly glaring at the middle-aged man beside Ronald.

If it weren't for that fat jerk driving up the price, they could have closed the deal at six million dollars.

"These rings have significant meaning. I've heard they were personally crafted by a European king. Once put on, they can't be removed," the middle-aged man turned toward them. "My wife wanted to try them, but seeing Mr. Williams' determination, I had to let them go."

Adeline carefully examined the rings. The inverted V design was beautiful and unique, but she couldn't see any mechanism that would prevent removal.

The thought of not being able to take them off suddenly hit her. "Wait—these weren't looted from a tomb, were they?"

How else would such rings end up at an auction?

Surely they hadn't cut off the queen's fingers after her death?

Imagining such a gruesome scene, Adeline shuddered involuntarily.

The middle-aged man was speechless. Ronald maintained his poker face and looked toward the stage. "Pay attention to the next item."

Sensing his displeasure, Adeline shut her mouth, though she felt somewhat relieved.

A CEO should maintain that cool, aloof persona. A boss who smiled at her all day would be far more unsettling.

Fortunately, competition for the subsequent items wasn't as fierce, and Adeline completed her assigned tasks.

Soon, they reached the final highlight: the Nebula's Heart.

"I believe more than half of you are here for the Nebula's Heart, which is our final item today."

As the host's voice rang out, the atmosphere instantly became charged with tension.

The display platform rose slowly, revealing the Nebula's Heart to the audience.

Adeline's eyes widened, afraid to miss even the smallest detail.

A massive sapphire sat at the center of the necklace, surrounded by colored diamonds arranged to resemble a galaxy.

Under the lights, each diamond sparkled with its own unique brilliance.

This was an effect that no internet image or video could capture. Sitting in the front row, gazing at this exquisite masterpiece, Adeline's eyes shone even brighter.

Noticing her breathing becoming rapid, Ronald's thoughts drifted back to the previous night. At a certain threshold, she had breathed just like this.

Soft, teasing, making his heart itch with desire.

"Bidding for this necklace starts at fifty million US dollars!"

The moment the host finished speaking, voices erupted throughout the venue.

When the bidding reached one  hundred million dollars, Adeline nervously glanced at Ronald.

"Mr. Williams, are we still in?"

She didn't know Ronald's limit, only seeing his lips pressed into a thin line.

As the price climbed to three hundred million dollars, Ronald lifted his finger slightly. "Bid one billion dollars."

"Five hundred million dollars?" Adeline gasped, and Ronald impatiently grabbed her hand and raised it.

Everyone stared in shock at Adeline holding up the paddle.

She quickly lowered it, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest.

Five hundred million dollars?

A price she wouldn't dare imagine even in her dreams!

Ronald suddenly leaned close, whispering in her ear, "This gift—do you like it?"