Chapter 4 Not a Single Sale
Sophia blinked, trying to focus her vision and see more clearly.
Henry. It really was him!
Her fingernails unconsciously dug into her palms.
How could he possibly be here?
In this auction, even the Miller family could only secure seats in the middle section. How could a bar model possibly...
Unless he really was the heir to a wealthy family, out experiencing life?
The thought had barely formed before she dismissed it herself.
If he truly had that kind of background, why would he willingly be her sugar boy for two years?
The auctioneer's excited voice rang out again. "Bidder number 1 offers thirty million dollars! Any higher bids?"
The entire venue fell silent.
While Sophia stared at Henry's figure, lost in thought, another figure quickly approached and sat in the empty seat beside him.
The newcomer immediately crossed his legs, his movements casual, radiating the typical air of a spoiled playboy, like one of those rich kids who feared nothing, backed by their family's wealth.
Watching Henry and the playboy exchange a few words, Sophia's earlier suspicions instantly crumbled.
There was no hidden wealthy family heir working as a model. Henry must have found a new job, probably working as a bodyguard now.
She could see the playboy leaning toward Henry, saying something while casually draping his hand over the back of Henry's chair. The gesture seemed intimate yet somehow commanding.
The scene was all too familiar; she'd seen plenty of wealthy young masters with their personal bodyguards.
Sophia unconsciously frowned.
So she'd been right after all. A few days ago, when she'd offered him the black card, Henry had thrown it straight into the trash. At the time, she'd thought it showed backbone.
But now it seemed that after leaving her, Henry had lost his stable income and had turned to working as a bodyguard.
The thought made Sophia's heart ache.
She knew this line of work wasn't easy, especially following around someone who clearly had a volatile temper like this spoiled brat. Who knew how much grief he'd have to endure?
Though Henry appeared aloof, after two years together, she knew he was someone who responded to kindness rather than force, with a streak of pride buried deep in his bones.
Making him do this kind of work, constantly reading people's faces, was probably even more unbearable than returning to bartending.
At this thought, Sophia's eyes took on an unreadable emotion.
Regardless of everything else, he had been with her for two full years.
During those two years, he had been her only respite from all the frustrating affairs at the Miller family.
Even if it was just a transaction, after so much time, there had to be some feelings involved.
Yet from beginning to end, Henry hadn't glanced in her direction even once.
Even as Sophia's gaze grew increasingly bold in studying him, he seemed completely oblivious.
Just then, the playboy beside him casually placed his bidding paddle on the edge of the table.
This simple action made the paddle clearly visible to everyone, with "No. 1" printed prominently on it.
"He's actually bidder number 1!"
Someone in the back row exclaimed quietly, and everyone's attention returned to the antique on stage.
That astronomical transaction had been his doing.
With this revelation, the looks from the crowd changed entirely.
"Rich people really are different when they spend money - thirty million dollars like it's nothing."
"Tell me about it. I thought ten million was expensive, and now it's tripled. Rich people really can do whatever they want..."
The surrounding chatter drifted to Sophia's ears, making her heart clench.
If rich people really could do whatever they wanted, wouldn't Henry have an even harder time working for him?
Just then, voices from the back rows of the audience reached her ears.
"Did you see that? The man in the black suit next to seat number 1 is absolutely gorgeous! More photogenic than those male models in financial magazines, and what presence!"
"More than just handsome; he didn't even do anything, but the moment he appeared, my heart skipped a beat."
The comments weren't loud, but they floated directly to Sophia's ears.
She glanced at Henry again, seeing him looking down at the auction catalog.
From this angle, she could perfectly see his flawless profile.
It really was a face stunning enough to take anyone's breath away.
Sophia pursed her lips. The man she'd chosen back then naturally had to have some appeal.
Listening to the surrounding chatter, Oliver's expression grew grim.
Just as he was about to bid, the other party had offered three times his amount. If this wasn't targeting him specifically, what was it?
"Thirty million dollars, going once—"
The auctioneer's voice rang out, and the previously noisy auction house instantly fell quiet.
Oliver gritted his teeth, staring deadly at the bidding paddle, the unwillingness in his eyes almost overflowing.
Fifteen million dollars was already all his available funds. His finances were already tight; forget thirty million, he'd need to call in every favor just to raise another million.
His assistant beside him quietly tugged at his sleeve, whispering: "Mr. Miller, our budget, we can't handle this..."
Oliver's Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally loosened his grip on the bidding paddle.
He straightened up, his voice somewhat stiff. "This antique is too flashy. Grandpa might not like it anyway. Forget it."
Meanwhile, the auctioneer was already announcing the sale. "Congratulations to bidder number 1, winning this antique for thirty million dollars!"
The auction continued as the next item was brought onto the stage.
Oliver took a deep breath, refocusing his attention on the auction platform.
There wasn't just one antique - he had to win something here as a birthday gift for Gavin.
Soon, the curtain was drawn back, revealing a famous painting prominently displayed on stage.
Oliver studied the painting carefully, his eyes lighting up.
This was exactly a work by Gavin's favorite artist!
"Starting bid: three million dollars!"
While others hesitated, Oliver raised his paddle. "Five million dollars."
This opening bid already exceeded the painting's actual market value.
He wanted a quick resolution, not leaving much room for other bidders.
The venue fell quiet for a few seconds. Just as the auctioneer was about to bring down the gavel, a light chuckle came from beside Henry.
"Ten million dollars."
His voice wasn't loud, but it set the entire venue buzzing again.
Oliver whipped his head around, staring directly at seat number 1.
"He's lost his mind!" Oliver exclaimed, his face instantly flushing red.
He was about to explode!
This playboy was deliberately going against him!
The auctioneer on stage brought down the gavel. "Ten million dollars, congratulations to bidder number 1!"
The rest of the auction became a tacit crushing defeat.
Every time Oliver showed interest in something and tentatively made a bid, the playboy in seat number 1 would immediately offer double the price.
By the end, Oliver didn't even have the energy to raise his paddle.
He slumped back in his chair, his face grim, a knot of frustration building in his chest, looking utterly defeated.
The auction house lights gradually brightened, and soon the final item had been sold.
Seeing himself about to leave empty-handed, Oliver's face couldn't hide his embarrassment.
The gift was one thing, but more importantly, he'd failed to complete the task Gavin had assigned him.
At tonight's auction, forget about finding the Windsor family to solve their problems; he hadn't even caught a glimpse of the heir of the Windsor family.
The rumored Windsor family heir was said to be deeply secretive. Finding another opportunity to track down his whereabouts would be nearly impossible.
The more Oliver thought about it, the more discouraged he became. He stood up unsteadily, his voice muffled. "Let's go."
Sophia followed behind him, but couldn't help stealing another glance in Henry's direction.
She could see him talking with the playboy beside him, his handsome profile particularly clear under the lights.
This glance made something scratch at Sophia's heart, suddenly giving her an idea.
Reaching the banquet hall entrance, Oliver was irritably dialing his phone.
Seeing him about to complain to Clara, Sophia tugged at his sleeve. "I'm going to the restroom. Wait here for me."
Oliver waved dismissively without looking back. "Make it quick."
Sophia immediately turned and walked in the opposite direction, moving closer and closer to Henry.
Just as she rounded a pillar in the banquet hall, Sophia's steps halted. The next second, a large hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Before Sophia could cry out, she was pulled toward a grove of trees nearby.