The night descended, city lights just beginning to glow, while a fine, dense drizzle fell from the sky.
An extended Bentley halted before the red carpet, an attendant swiftly opened an umbrella and approached the car door. High heels, black with red soles, stepped onto the carpet. The woman who emerged carried a faint smile at the corner of her lips. Her assistant, who had been waiting, quickly stepped forward: "Boss, you finally arrived."
Florence Fuller stepped inside: "What's the current lot at auction?"
"They're currently bidding on the Cs rose diamond necklace. If we head in now, we'll make it in time for the lot you wanted."
Florence nodded and strode inside.
Lily Lancaster followed her: "By the way... Mr. Gardiner is here tonight too."
Florence paused briefly and replied with a hum.
Entering the auction hall, the auctioneer on stage had just concluded a bid: "Congratulations to Mr. Gardiner at A15VIP for winning the rose diamond necklace for sixteen million. Let's congratulate Mr. Gardiner."
Florence sat amidst the thunderous applause. Chloe Quinn thought she wouldn't make it: "You're a step too late; you missed your husband's grand gesture."
Florence adjusted her hair: "Did you bid on anything?"
"I wanted to bid on that rose diamond necklace, but I couldn't compete with your husband." Chloe glanced at the VIP section at the front and rolled her eyes.
Florence looked over; Luke Gardiner was seated with his back to her. A dazzling woman leaned against him, whispering now and then, ensconcing them in intimacy.
"The next lot is one of the renowned watches by Master Virgil, the Obsidian." As the auctioneer introduced it, a photo of the watch appeared on the large screen behind him.
"The master crafted it over three years. The successful bidder can contact the master for customization. The starting bid is three million, with increments not less than five thousand. The bidding starts now..."
"Four million!"
"Four million and fifteen!"
"Four million two hundred!"
Voices competed in rapid succession, soon approaching five million.
Chloe tilted her head: "How much are you planning to bid?"
"I don't know." Florence assessed the situation. By seven million, more than half the bidders had dropped out.
She was here for this watch.
"Ten million!" In the VIP section ahead, a slender arm raised a paddle, calling out coyly.
Seeing who it was from that position, the bidders visibly quieted.
"Ten million once!" With no one placing further bids, the auctioneer began to finalize the price.
"President Gardiner, this watch really suits you. Once secured..."
"Twelve million."
Attention shifted to their position, and the serene Lily Lancaster glanced at her boss with a chilling calm.
"Sir." Aware of her, Luke's assistant whispered, "It's Mrs. Gardiner."
Luke turned, eyes locking onto the woman in the rear rows. She was turned, speaking quietly to someone beside her.
The man's eyes sparkled with interest as he instructed the woman next to him: "Keep bidding."
The woman, initially uneasy, relaxed at his words, raising her paddle: "Thirteen million."
Receiving a look from Florence, Lily raised the paddle: "Fifteen million."
Luke raised an eyebrow at the aggressive bidding.
He pondered why she was intent on a man's watch.
By now, many recognized Florence, casting intrigued glances at the situation.
While Mr. Gardiner embraced a new flame upfront, Mrs. Gardiner sat in the back, engaging in the auction.
"Twenty-three million." The woman next to Luke couldn't help but glance back at the rumored Mrs. Gardiner. The dim lighting revealed her delicate beauty, not overly striking, yet those eyes held a cool disdain, staring intently at the stage, with a world-wearied impatience.
Her looks rivaled those in the entertainment industry. Isabella Johnson's heart slightly trembled as the bid reached twenty-five million.
As she watched Luke's expression and prepared to raise her paddle, he gestured for her to lower it.
The auctioneer began affirming the price: "Twenty-five million once! Twenty-five million twice! Twenty-five million thrice!"
Congratulations to the lady at E15VIP for securing the Obsidian watch for twenty-five million. Let's congratulate her."
The applause erupted once more.
"President Gardiner." With deliberate nonchalance, Isabella eyed Florence's direction, snuggling against Luke and whispering suggestively in his ear: "Won't Mrs. Gardiner be mad seeing you like this?"
Amusement danced in Luke's eyes as he pulled her close: "Then why are you so near?"
"I didn't know Mrs. Gardiner would show up. She bought such an expensive watch for you while you gave me a diamond necklace..." Isabella wasn't sure if Mrs. Gardiner noticed her sitting in the front, but her actions had a hint of contrivance.
A watch for him?
Luke turned to glance back once more, only to see Florence rising to leave, a slender silhouette facing him.
Married two years, he and Florence barely met, and each encounter felt like strangers.
Would this woman give him a watch?
Luke pushed the woman from him, stood up, and adjusted his suit jacket, his handsome face a mix of an enigmatic smile: "Keep the necklace and resources I promised, but don't contact me again."
Isabella was stunned; she couldn't discern what word ticked Luke off.
Everything seemed fine a second ago.
Before she realized, Luke had already strode away.
Outside the hall.
Chloe walked alongside Florence to retrieve the watch: "You came all this way just for this watch?"
Florence nodded: "Yep."
"It's a man's watch, not something you could wear." Chloe knew Florence often bought men's watches, almost without exception. When asked why, Florence replied: "To collect!"
The watch soon reached Florence. She took a careful look before placing it back in the box and asking the staff: "How do I contact the master for customization?"
"This is the master's assistant's card. You can contact his assistant," the staff member handed over a business card.
Florence accepted it and left.
Chloe asked again, a question she'd repeated more than once: "You're not really going to give this to your lousy husband, are you?"
"Of course not." Florence decisively refused: "I told you, it's for my collection."
"You don't wear watches for women, but you collect men's ones." Chloe shook her head repeatedly, unable to understand this woman.
The two walked outside, and upon exiting, Florence saw Luke's assistant, who approached: "Madam."
Florence saw the luxury car parked ahead.
"President Gardiner is in the car, waiting to go back with you."
"I have things to do." Florence glanced at the luxury car, spotting the silhouette within through the window: "No time."