Chapter 19
Melanie’s eyes narrowed as she took in the other woman’s curves. The flashy getup was a dead giveaway–she was fishing for Trevor’s attention. And those clothes? Total fakes.
“Dad, she’s no Kylie. Our Kylie wouldn’t be caught dead in something so… desperate,” Melanie said with a smirk.
Samuel shook his head. “You’ve got a point. They’re worlds apart.”
Meanwhile, Kylie was clueless about the Lampards lurking nearby.
As the auctioneer’s voice droned on, she found herself nodding off. The constant hustle was catching up with her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that her frequent blood donations were taking their toll.
“What’s Noreen got her heart set on?” Kylie asked, stifling a yawn.
“A diamond ring. Trevor said, his voice as smooth as velvet.
Trevor’s gaze lingered on Kylie. Even sitting down, he towered over her. Her dress was doing things that shouldn’t be legal, but
it felt…off
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted some dude eyeballing Kylie, his look a little too hungry.
Trevor’s jaw tightened, and he shot the guy a look that could freeze lava.
The guy got the message, his eyes widening as he realized who was sitting next to Kylie. He felt a pang of disappointment.
It wasn’t every day you found a woman who could make your heart skip a beat, but this one was clearly off–limits. Trevor, the lone wolf, never had a woman by his side. If she was just a plus–one for the night, Trevor wouldn’t be throwing daggers with his eyes.
The auctioneer’s voice droned on about some old painting, but Kylie was all ears.
Liam had really hustled to get it here. She couldn’t help but wonder how much her old artwork would go for now.
Trevor noticed Kylie’s eyes glued to the painting. It reminded him of that suitcase she’d brought to Starlit Villa, with a rolled- up canvas on top. Was she into these old masterpieces?
He nudged her, voice low. “Digging the painting?”
Kylie shook her head, “Nope”
Trevor raised an eyebrow. If she wasn’t into it, why was she staring so hard? She was totally playing it cool.
Samuel squinted at the painting, a puzzled look on his face. “I swear I’ve seen this somewhere before.”
“Old paintings can look alike, but yeah, this one’s hitting a chord,” Melanie said, her guze lingering on the artwork.
She suddenly thought, It’s like that piece back home. You know, the one Kylie gave Mom, the one she never really paid
attention to.
“No way,” Melanie shook her head, brushing off the idea. That painting Kylie had, it was probably some cheap knockoff from a site like Wish, couldn’t have been more than ten bucks. No way it’s the same as one that’s in an auction.
“What’s no way?” Samuel asked, intrigued.
to
“Nothing. Dad. Look at this, Melanie said, her voice filled with disbelief. This painting is now up to 300 thousand dollars!”
Samuel wasn’t an art buff, but a thought struck him. It’s just like that painting we had hanging in the corner back home.
“I million dollars!” Trevor suddenly called out, raising the bid.
Kylie’s head whipped towards Trevor. “You like this painting?”
She had sold it for a measly 150 thousand, and now Trevor had driven the price up to a million. This artist’s work had never been auctioned for more than 600 thousand before!
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Chapter 19
If he liked antique paintings, she would have sold hers to him directly. Not for much, if he bid 600 thousand, she could have delivered it to his door and even offered three years of maintenance. It hurt to think about.
“Just okay,” Trevor said, his gaze meeting Kylie’s surprised eyes, a slight smirk playing on his lips. Since she seemed quite interested in the painting, he’d buy it for her. He didn’t like being in anyone’s debt, and she had indeed made his grandmother very happy these past few days.
“LI million,” another bidder raised the stakes. It seemed they truly loved the painting.
As Trevor was about to raise his hand to bid again, Kylie stopped him.
Her voice was a soft whisper, “If you’re into this style of antique painting, for I million, you could buy two paintings, and I can find them for you, guaranteed authentic. You just need to pay a commission.
Trevor stared at the woman, his eyes flickering with a thousand thoughts.
“L.I million going once.”
1.1 million going twice”
“L.1 million, sold.
After the deal was closed, Kylie watched as the painting was taken away, thinking that Liam had made a killing today. For both ber and Liam, it was a win–win situation.
“Mel, doesn’t the painting Kylie gave to your mom look exactly like this one?* Samuel asked, shocked by the final price.
Melanie was somewhat absent–minded, her gaze greedily fixed on Trevor. He likes antique paintings?‘ she wondered.
Hearing Samuel’s question, she curled her lips and said, “Dad, the painting Kylie gave to Mom does look similar to this one, but I think she probably bought a replica online.
“A replica? Really can’t be displayed on the big stage!” Samuel now couldn’t help but feel disgusted whenever he thought of Kylie.
The auction was the talk of the town tonight, with a lineup of eight items that had everyone’s attention.
But it was the grand finale that had hearts racing the Ethereal Star diamond ring. This wasn’t just a piece of jewelry; it was a legend, once gracing the finger of a foreign duchess.
The moment the news hit the streets, it was like a siren call to the wealthy and the wild at heart. The starting bid was a staggering 6 million.
Bids flew back and forth like lightning. “10 million, someone shouted
13 million.” another voice chimed in
Then Trevor stepped in, his bid like a thunderclap. “30 million,” he declared, his voice carrying across the room.
Kylie, at his side, felt her jaw drop. It was like he was playing with monopoly money, but this was the real deal.
The room hushed. No one was willing to match that kind of wealth. The auctioneer’s gavel fell, and just like that, the ring was sold for a mind–blowing 30 million.
Melanie, from her spot in the crowd, was wondered.
lost in a daydream. “What would it be like to slip that ring on my finger!‘ she
She continued, ‘But who is Trevor planning to surprise with such a lavish gift? The woman by his side? It seems far–fetched. Trevor isn’t the type to be tied down, so the lady in the stunning dress is likely just a guest for the night’s festivities!
Trevor and Kylie were heading out of the auction when Samuel Lampard seized the moment. He knew chances to chat with Trevor didn’t pop up every day. “Melanie, let’s go catch up with Trevor,” he said.
“Sure thing.” Melanie replied, getting to her feet and giving her dress a quick tug to fix it. She had a swagger in her step, knowing she looked good.
Kylie was about to follow when the room spun around her. She wobbled, but Trevor’s quick reflexes kept her on her feet.
