SWNOVELS Chapter Jilted Bride 9
Chapter 9
As Ophelia locked eyes with Kenneth, her heart raced, pounding like a wild drum. She was nowhere near ready to express her gratitude" in the way he hinted at. Clearing her throat softly, she dodged the question and turned her gaze back to the stage below.
The auctioneer's voice boomed with excitement. "And now, for the final piece of the evening. This one is bound to steal every woman's heart-the crowning jewel of tonight's event."
As he spoke, the lights dimmed, and the stage revealed a glass display case slowly rising. Inside it was a dazzling necklace, its diamonds glittering against the backdrop of black velvet.
The 'Moon & Star' necklace, the auctioneer announced, his voice dripping with anticipation. "Crafted from 108 flawless diamonds, it features a crescent moon centerpiece made from the rarest vivid blue diamond, a gemstone so scarce, it's been certified as one of the finest specimens in existence. A treasure this valuable is nearly impossible to find on the open market
From her seal, Emily's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Miles, is that the blue diamond necklace you promised to get me? Her voice was filled with breathless excitement, her gaze locked on the sparkling prize.
"Girl, you're so lucky. Mr. Lewis is completely head over heels for you, someone gushed nearby.
The murmurs of admiration swirled around them, and Emily drank it all in, her heart swelling with pride. The way she looked at Miles now-so soft, so full of admiration-could melt even the coldest hearts.
"Talk is cheap," someone else muttered under their breath, the jealousy clear in her voice. "He couldn't even win the bid for that cheap dress earlier.
Emily wasn't about to let the snide remarks slide. I told him not to bother with the dress, she retorted, keeping her voice sweet but firm. "But this necklace? Miles has promised me this one." She smiled at him, subtly reminding him of his pledge while defending him. After all, it wasn't just a necklace anymore-it was a matter of pride.
Plus, when it came to value, the necklace undeniably outweighed the gown..
Miles, sensing the weight of expectations, nodded. I got this," he murmured, already preparing to raise his paddle.
"Starting bid is four million dollars, the auctioneer declared.
Miles wasted no time. "Five million dollars. Miles was the first to raise his paddle, his voice steady and confident. Emily could hardly contain her excitement, practically vibrating with glee. The bids kept rolling in.
"Six million dollars, someone else called out.
"Seven million, another voice chimed in, the bidding intensifying
Each new bid sent waves of excitement through the crowd, and Emily's heart soared higher with each jump. Even Owen. seated nearby, was basking in the glow of his daughter's triumph. Compliments flowed like fine wine.
"Mr. Hastings, you're one lucky man. Having a daughter as charming as Emily, it's no wonder Mr. Lewis is willing to go to such lengths, someone remarked, his voice dripping with admiration.
ph
Oh, you flatter me," Owen responded modestly, but inside, he was glowing with pride. Whether the final bid was won or lost, the Hastings family was winning in reputation.
The necklace, though valued at around seven million dollars, had already climbed to over sixteen million. The entire ballroom was buzzing. Everyone was certain that the necklace would soon be claimed by Miles for twenty million. But then. the inevitable happened. Thirty million dollars. The voice came from the private box on the second floor, the same one that had thrown a wrench in the bidding earlier. The sudden leap in price caught everyone off guard.
The bids now had increased by no more than two million dollars at a time, but one jumped significantly, leaving everyone
stunned
It was the same bold tactic as before, making it impossible for others to continue bidding without looking like fools
In settings like this, everyone wanted to show off, but nobody wanted to be the sucker paying far more than the item's wi
Chequer
Miles face fished with frustration Is someone trying to humiliate me? He couldn't shake the feeling of being targeted Emily's expectant gaze weighed on him, but as much as he wanted to keep his promise, this seemed to be a battle he couldn't win
Gripping his paddle, he raised it again, though the fire had left his voice. "Thirty-five million dollars
Before the auctioneer could finish the call, the voice from the second floor came again "Fifty million dollars"
The air in the room sernied to freeze. The price had now skyrocketed to more than five times the necklace's actual worth Everyone was staring at the box, wondering who would be foolish enough to pay such a steep price. Kenneth, lounging in the box on the second floor, smirked down at Ophelia, his eyes never leaving her. How do you plan to thank me this time?" he asked, his voice dripping with playful arrogance.
Ophelia's face was a study in mixed emotions. Part of her couldn't believe how reckless Kenneth was being She pondered, 'Is he seriously this extravagant? But sering Miles' lace turn leet red with embarrassment filled her with an odd sense of satisfaction.
Mark, Kenneth's right-hand man, stood nearby, quietly observing. He knew Kenneth was capable of being impulsive, but to see him splurge this extravagantly, all for the sake of impressing a woman, still shocked Mark. It was wildly out of character for Kenneth,
In the end, Miles' band froze on his paddle. He couldn't bid any higher.
The auctioneer called out, "Fifty million dollars, going once, going twice-sold. The final item of the evening was officially won by the mysterious bidder from the second floor. The crowd buzzed with speculation, while Kenneth sit back, a lazy gra tugging at his lips. After the auction wrapped up, the crowd made their way to the banquet hall Given the prestigious standing of the Lewis family, no one dared say anything out loud, but the tension lingered.
Emily, however, was utterly disappointed in Miles. The promises he'd made earlier to give her these luxurious items had fallen flat. Not a single bid had gone through for them, leaving her humiliated in front of all these wealthy debutantes.
"I knew it," one of the girls scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Anyone can talk big, but actions speak louder, don't they?"
Another chimed in, a little more sympathetic, "Come on, give him a break. It's clear that whoever was in that private box upstairs wasn't about to let anyone outbid them. Who's willing to throw away money just to end up as the fool?"
"Who do you think it was in that private box anyway?" another asked, her voice curious.
"No clue. They seemed pretty mysterious, someone else replied.
Emily's gaze drifted towards the balcony on the second floor, her mind swirling with thoughts
Meanwhile, in the lavishly decorated private box on the second floor, Kenneth lounged comfortably, as if the weight of the world had never touched him. The room around him was bathed in the soft glow of chandelier light, casting delicate patterns across the rich velvet curtains and the gleaming mahogany furniture. Gold accents gleamed on the walls, every detail a testament to extravagance and wealth.
"Mr. Kenneth, Mr. Finlay Carnegie from Carnegie Group wishes to meet you, Mark informed him, standing by his side.
But Kenneth said nothing. His piercing gaze was locked on Ophelia, who was busy devouring the last of the desserts laid out in the room. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement.
Ophelia licked her upper lip, looking slightly embarrassed. She had managed to eat all the treats in the box by herself during the auction, leaving the plates bare. Yet her eyes still lingered on the trays of meticulously crafted pastries being served downstairs,
Growing up in the slums, hardship was a close companion, and her love of sweets was a small, innocent indulgence she never
"Maybe you should take care of business first, Ophelia suggested, "and I'll go check out the party, and we can head home together later?
5:43 PM ď ď
Chapter 51
Home?" Kenneth paused, the word catching him off guard. Something in his usually hardened heart softened as he gazed at her. The corners of his lips twitched into a barely perceptible smile that was tinted with affection, and he nodded. "Alright." Ophelia had barely left the room when the Carnegie family's patriarch, Finlay Carnegie, personally arrived to deliver the two items Kenneth had won at the nuction.
"Mr. Sinclair, it's such an honor to have you grace us with your presence today. My family is truly humbled," Finlay gushed. laying it on thick.
"You're overthinking it, Kenneth responded coldly. His stunning eyes, once so warm with Ophelia, had now turned icy, completely devoid of emotion.
Finlay didn't seem to mind the frosty reception and kept up his flattering tone, smiling as if Kenneth hadn't just brushed him.
Outside the box, Emily overheard the title "Mr. Sinclair, and her mind raced.
The name Sinclair wasn't exactly common, and she figured someone important enough to warrant such attention from the Carnegie family had to be extraordinary. She quickly pieced it together.
Kenneth Sinclair, the head of Heloria's most powerful financial empire. The same Kenneth who had forced his older brother out of power a year ago, and who had been rumored to have lost the use of his legs after a failed assassination attempt months earlier. 'No wonder he could throw down that kind of money without blinking to buy those two things, Emily thought, her mind buzzing with curiosity. What kind of man is he?'
Just as she pondered, the door to the box opened, and Finlay stepped out. Emily quickly ducked into the shadows, peeking through a crack in the door. There he was-Kenneth Sinclair himself, sitting in regal stillness.
Her heart skipped a beat, thudding wildly in her chest.
Kenneth's presence was commanding, his sharp gaze exuding power. Even from his profile, he was more handsome than any man she'd ever met, all of them put together. He had an aura of cold authority that was irresistibly magnetic.
Suddenly, Kenneth stood up from the couch, straightened his collar with one smooth motion, and then, to Emily's shock, he sat back down-this time in a wheelchair.
Emily blinked in disbelief. 'Wait a minute, wasn't Kenneth supposed to be paralyzed? How did he just... stand up?' she wondered, suspicion gnawing at her mind. 'Could it be... that he's faking it?
Her eyes lit up with a newfound admiration as she stared at him. If I could get close to Kenneth and become his wife, I'd have the world at my feet. And Miles? He is nothing compared to what Kenneth could offer me. Plus, I now hold the key to one of his deepest secrets. Determined, Emily smoothed her hair, calmed her racing heart, and stepped out of the shadows. Putting on her most innocent face, she pretended to be lost as she pushed open the door to Kenneth's box.