Chapter 4
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Gasps and murmurs erupted throughout the ballroom.
The Shaws' expressions cycled through more emotions than a Shakespearean tragedy.
George looked like he'd been slapped across the face with a hot iron.
Mandy swayed dangerously, clutching George's arm to stay upright.
Victoria's carefully made-up face drained of color, leaving only shock and hatred in her eyes.
Mrs. Whitman looked like she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
James ignored the commotion, leaning down to whisper in my ear with mischievous affection, "Ready to have some fun, sweetheart?"
I blinked up at him. "What did you have in mind?"
"The charity auction is coming up."
I immediately caught his meaning.
The main event of the evening was the charity auction, featuring treasures donated by the elite. The star item was an imperial green jade piece—donated by none other than the Shaw family.
Rumor had it that the jade was a Shaw family heirloom that George had reluctantly parted with to gain social capital at this prestigious event.
The auction began, the excitement in the room building steadily.
When the Shaw jade came up, the auctioneer waxed poetic about its quality and provenance, praising it as if it were the Hope Diamond.
"We'll start the bidding at five million dollars."
George sat in the front row, a smug smile playing on his lips as he basked in the impressed murmurs around him.
This jade would buy him both reputation and connections—a small price to pay for social advancement.
"Six million!"
"Seven million!"
The bidding climbed steadily until it reached ten million.
Victoria sat beside George, practically glowing with pride, her chin lifted imperiously.
She even shot me a smug look, her eyes challenging.
The message was clear: This is real wealth and status—something you'll never have.
I smiled serenely and raised my paddle.
"Fifty million."
My voice wasn't loud, but the microphone carried it throughout the ballroom.
A collective gasp swept through the room.
People stared at me as if I'd lost my mind.
Jumping from ten to fifty million wasn't bidding—it was warfare.
George's smile crystallized on his face.
Victoria's eyes bulged comically.
The auctioneer stammered, "M-miss, did you say fifty million?"
Beside me, James calmly sipped his tea, acting as if nothing extraordinary was happening.
But his message to me was clear: Play however you want, money is no object.
I nodded confidently. "Fifty million. Yes."
The auctioneer's voice quivered with excitement. "Fifty million dollars from Miss Johnson! Do I hear fifty-one?"
The room fell into stunned silence.
Who in their right mind would pay fifty million for a piece of jade worth fifteen million at most?
This wasn't about acquisition—it was about making a statement.
George Shaw was literally shaking with rage. He jumped to his feet, jabbing a finger at me. "Vivian Shaw! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
In his anger, he'd forgotten I was no longer a Shaw.
I reclined casually in my chair, meeting his gaze coolly. "Mr. Shaw, this is an auction. Highest bidder wins. Is there some problem?"
"You little—" George sputtered, choking on his rage.
Just then, a cool voice cut through the tension.
"Sixty million."
I turned toward the voice, surprised to see an unexpected figure.
In a shadowy corner sat a young man in an impeccably tailored black suit. His presence was commanding despite his stillness, his deep-set eyes observing the room with detached interest.
It was Frederick Foster—the notoriously reclusive heir to the Foster empire.
He was the most enigmatic figure in high society, famous for declining almost all public appearances. Why was he here tonight?
And why was he bidding against me?
The room's focus immediately shifted from me to Frederick.
If my bid of fifty million seemed insane, Frederick's sixty million was beyond comprehension.
The Foster family was the only dynasty that could rival the Johnsons in terms of wealth and influence.
What game was Frederick Foster playing?
Was he helping the Shaws? Or was this some kind of power play against me?
George Shaw looked equally shocked—clearly, he hadn't expected Foster's intervention either.
A flash of triumph crossed his face as he assumed Foster was taking his side against James Johnson.
He immediately shot Frederick a grateful look.
Frederick didn't acknowledge him at all, as if he'd merely commented on the weather rather than bid sixty million dollars.
My father narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Frederick with newfound interest.
My curiosity was piqued.
"Seventy million," I said, raising my paddle again.
The room erupted into chaos.
This wasn't an auction anymore—it was a clash of titans.
Victoria smirked, whispering loudly to Mandy, "Look at her, Mom. She's completely unhinged. Mr. Foster is obviously putting her in her place."
Mandy nodded vigorously in agreement.
Frederick seemed to have overheard them—the corner of his mouth twitched in what might have been amusement.
He raised his paddle again, his voice as cool as winter.
"One hundred million."
The words landed like a bomb.
The entire ballroom froze in shock.
One hundred million dollars.
For a piece of jade worth, at most, fifteen million.
Everyone assumed Frederick had either lost his mind or was deliberately trying to humiliate me—or more likely, my father.
George Shaw's face flushed with excitement—he clearly believed his fortunes were about to change.
With Frederick Foster as an ally, he probably thought he could stand against a dozen James Johnsons.
My father's expression darkened slightly.
He caught my hand as I was about to raise my paddle again and gave a subtle shake of his head.
It wasn't about the money—he just saw no point in this bizarre bidding war that would only benefit the Shaws.
I understood his reasoning.
I lowered my paddle and made a gracious "all yours" gesture toward Frederick.
And so, the jade was sold to Frederick Foster for the astronomical sum of one hundred million dollars.
George Shaw could barely contain his glee.
The moment the auction ended, he grabbed Victoria and hurried over to Frederick, champagne glasses in hand.
"Mr. Foster, what an honor! I'm George Shaw of Shaw Group, and this is my daughter, Victoria. I can't thank you enough for your support tonight." His voice dripped with obsequiousness.
Victoria gazed at Frederick with practiced coyness. "Thank you so much for your kindness, Mr. Foster. Our family is deeply grateful."
The crowd gathered closer, eager to witness Frederick's response.
Frederick finally deigned to look at them.
He ignored George's offered champagne and handed the jade box to his assistant without a second glance.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, he stood and walked directly toward me.
He stopped before me, his dark eyes meeting mine with unexpected intensity.
What he did next left the entire room in shock.
He bent slightly, his voice low and resonant.
"Miss Johnson, consider this a small welcome gift. I look forward to knowing you better."
His assistant stepped forward, presenting the jade box to me with a respectful bow.
