After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 27

Julian didn't beat around the bush and explained, "My grandma's birthday is coming up in a few days, and I'm here to pick out a gift for her. I figured your opinion would be helpful."

Louisa was taken aback. "I have no idea what your grandma likes. I'm not sure I can be of much help."

"No worries."

That simple response left Louisa stunned.

He asked her to help, she couldn't, and he said it was no worries?

Why did he even ask her to come then? Just to stand around?

She was about to say something when she caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd.

It was George, with Vivian by his side.

Vivian was wearing a cute pink dress, holding onto his arm, looking all lovey-dovey.

Louisa hadn't expected to see them here, and her expression turned cold.

Julian noticed and followed her gaze. "Do you want to go say hi?"

She shook her head. "No need."

George hadn't seen her, and she didn't want to talk to him anyway.

Julian nodded. "Alright, let's head in."

The auction was a grand affair, the venue was enormous.

Huge crystal chandeliers lit up the hall, making it look opulent. The air was filled with the scent of expensive perfume and fine wood.

Business elites in suits and understatedly luxurious collectors were everywhere, chatting in small groups.

As soon as Julian walked in, he drew a lot of attention, and people came up to greet him non-stop.

Julian nodded coolly, not interested in chatting.

Seeing his indifference, they backed off.

Julian led Louisa to their VIP seats. He even had Teddy bring a cushion for her, to make her more comfortable with her injury.

Louisa smiled at him. "Thanks."

Soon, other guests started taking their seats.

George and Vivian were among the last to arrive, sitting in the same row as Julian and Louisa, but with a couple of seats between them. George didn't see Louisa.

The auction began.

The early items were small and not very valuable, so neither Julian nor George made a move.

Then a stunning emerald necklace was brought out.

Its exquisite craftsmanship and dazzling design under the lights made it look like a symbol of nobility and power.

Louisa was instantly captivated.

As the auctioneer passionately described the piece, she whispered to Julian, "This looks great. Your grandma might like it."

She hadn't forgotten why she was there and was earnestly giving her opinion.

Julian nodded. "I think so too."

The bidding started at five million dollars.

People around them began raising their paddles.

When the price hit thirty million dollars, the bidding slowed down.

Julian finally joined in.

At his signal, Teddy raised their paddle. "Forty million dollars!"

The room went quiet.

Vivian glanced over and saw Louisa. A surge of anger flared up inside her.

She hadn't been interested in the necklace before, thinking it was too old-fashioned for her.

But seeing Louisa wanted it, her instinct was to compete.

She tugged on George's sleeve, pouting. "George, I want this."

George was surprised. "You like this?"

It didn't seem like her style.

Vivian whined, "I do. The more I look at it, the more I like it."

So George raised his paddle. "Forty-five million dollars!"

Teddy bid again. "Fifty million dollars!"

George followed. "Fifty-five million dollars!"

Teddy was tired of the incremental bidding. His boss had money to spare.

He boldly declared, "Seventy million dollars!"

The room fell silent.

Louisa was taken aback.

Julian remained unfazed, as if seventy million dollars was nothing to him.

George gritted his teeth. "Eighty million dollars!"

Teddy didn't hesitate. "One hundred million dollars!"

The room went dead silent.

George looked over at Teddy, and of course, saw Louise.

She was sitting with Julian? They were talking?

George's anger flared up.

Why wasn't she at home? Why was she at the auction? And since when were she and Julian so close?

Jealousy burned in his eyes, his face darkening.

Louisa felt his gaze and looked over. Her expression was cold, without any surprise.

George felt even more annoyed.

She knew he was there? And she didn't even say hi?

He forgot about the necklace, and Teddy won it for one hundred million dollars.

The auction continued.

George lost interest, his eyes occasionally drifting to Louisa.

She seemed unbothered, chatting with Julian.

George felt his frustration growing.

Vivian noticed his attention on Louisa and was equally annoyed, trying to think of a way to distract him.

Just then, a staff member appeared with a delicate transparent box.

Vivian tugged on George's sleeve. "George, look! This is the book I told you about. My dad said we have to get it today."

George nodded.

He knew about the book. Most people here were probably after it.

Though it looked old and worn, its commercial value was well-known.

As the auctioneer rang a clear bell, the room fell silent.

He placed the book in the center of the stage and began his introduction. "Next is item number 15, a rare copy of Business Philosophy from over four hundred years ago. I bet many of you are familiar with this book. So let's cut the introduction an get to the point.

"The bidding starts at—five hundred thousand dollars!"