Isabella and Jonathan seemed very interested in the idea. But Liliana appeared to have a different reaction. She squinted her eyes, looking at Klaus with a suspicious gaze. Olivia chose to remain silent as she was unaware of Klaus's plan. The only person who seemed quite happy was Julia.
"I'm in. Spending a few dollars for orphans and granting a few requests is not a bad idea. What do you think, Isabella?" Jonathan asked.
"Well, I agree. As long as it's something reasonable. I don't mind," Isabella replied.
Seeing these two agreeing, Klaus smirked. He just needed to convince one more person." What about you, Liliana?" He asked.
The aunt didn't answer right away. She sniffed out her nephew's hidden intentions, but didn't know what they were. However, her gut feeling told her to go along with this bet.
"Alright. I'm in," Liliana answered. Her eyes rolled over to Olivia. "Are you joining too?"
Olivia raised her hand. "No, I'm not. I'm here just as Klaus's companion. Nothing more. Hehe. Plus, I don't have money." She glanced at her mother, but Julia quickly averted her gaze.
"Great. We have enough players now. Only the judge remains." Klaus looked at Julia. "Would you be willing to be the judge, Julia? If any of us fails to keep their promise, you'll be the one to impose the punishment."
Julia nodded as she pursed her lips. "Hm, alright. If that's what you all want."
"So, when does the auction start?" Jonathan asked.
"As scheduled," Julia replied. She looked at the gold watch encircling her wrist. "In thirty minutes. Conveniently, I need to get ready too. While you wait, enjoy your time in the gallery."
After that, Julia left them.
Jonathan clapped his hands. "Alright, I'll go get some cash ready. You should too." He winked before walking away.
Isabella shook her head in response. She rolled her eyes at Klaus and Liliana. "Well, I should probably go as well. I want to catch up with you guys, but I came with my friend. I need to find her before she gets lost, hehe."
"Of course. We should chat after this," Liliana said.
The short-haired woman waved before walking down the corridor, disappearing among the guests.
After seeing Isabella leave, Liliana turned her gaze toward her nephew. Curiosity hid behind her eyes, and Klaus simply smiled.
"I don't know why, but I feel like you're scheming something. Are you trying to pull strings from this situation?" Liliana asked straightforwardly, a smile on her face.
Klaus shrugged. "What can a nineteen-year-old like me do? Lately, you've been too suspicious of me, aunt." Squinting his eyes, he gave Liliana an intense gaze. "Actually, I'm curious. On the night of my birthday party, why did the terrorists attack the mansion right after you and grandpa left? Was that a coincidence?"
Naturally, the smile faded from her face. His guess had an element of surprise on Liliana. She felt threatened at that moment, but managed to maintain her composure. She was not sure if Klaus was just guessing.
"It's not funny. You're accusing your own aunt of trying to kill her brother's family. Don't ever use this as a joke." Liliana sounded serious as she spoke.
She stared into his eyes, and so did he. Meanwhile, Olivia simply covered her mouth. She could sense the tension rising between the two, and her intuition told her not to get involved.
As silence settled between them, Klaus suddenly burst into laughter. His voice was so loud that it caught the attention of the other guests. They looked at Klaus momentarily before returning to enjoying the artwork.
"Hahaha, I got you, Liliana. I was just kidding. Don't take it too seriously." He patted Liliana on the arm.
Liliana finally showed a smile. "Don't ever play with your aunt like that again. I felt sad, you know."
"Hehe, sorry."
After the two reconciled, Liliana left, claiming that she wanted to take a look at the paintings, leaving Klaus and Olivia in the midst of the guest crowd.
Olivia stared at Klaus with an incredulous look.
"What the fuck was that? That was so intense earlier. There's no way that was just a joke," Olivia said. She was truly shock, but Klaus seemed unfazed.
"Well, you'll understand if you were born into a conglomerate family." He answered nonchalantly.
Olivia simply twisted her face in confusion.
Despite the tension, the guests were now enjoying the artwork in peace. Some chatted enthusiastically, while others admired the beauty of the paintings hanging on the walls.
Olivia suggested that she and Klaus take a look around, but 30 minutes wasn't much time.
A neatly dressed staff member entered the room with a polite smile on his face. He bowed as a sign of respect before speaking, "Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for interrupting your valuable time. The auction is about to begin. Please follow me to the upper floor."
Together with the other guests, Klaus and Olivia made their way up the stairs. Upon arriving, they were met with a calmer and more exclusive atmosphere. There was a small stage in one corner of the room, with plush chairs neatly arranged facing it.
A staff member handed out numbered paddles as guests scattered to find their seats. Klaus received number 98, while Olivia got number 99. They both sat in the middle row.
Looking around, Klaus tried to figure out where his competitors were seated. Isabella was in the front row on the left, accompanied by a woman. They seemed engrossed in conversation. In the front row, seated alone with no one beside him, was Jonathan. And finally, in the back row, was Liliana.I think you should take a look at
"Klaus, do you have any plans to buy another painting?"
Olivia's voice echoed in his ears. Klaus saw that she seemed to be expecting something from him.
"Yeah. Why?" Klaus asked.
Olivia grinned. "You know, I heard from my mom that there's going to be a painting called 'The Beautiful Red Sunrise.' It's nothing special, but I know someone who really wants it. She happens to not be here."
"So?"
"Um… I want you to buy that painting for me. You know, lately I've been tightening my belt. Can you help me, please? I promise I'll repay you soon." Olivia gave him a teary-eyed look, like a kitten.
Klaus furrowed his brow, wondering how Olivia could be running short on money. He was sure he had updated her contract. She should be fine by now. Moreover, she was the daughter of the richest woman in Europe. How could Olivia not have money?
"Well, it seems she messed up with her mother," Klaus muttered.
Suddenly, the room darkened. Not long after, a single spotlight illuminated the stage. A woman in a purple dress emerged from behind a red curtain. The spotlight focused the attention on her, creating an aura of undeniable grandeur, and a faint smile graced her lips as she looked at the guests sitting in anticipation.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for accepting the invitation from Winston Art Gallery. We greatly appreciate your presence tonight. I, as the host, Julia Winston, am holding this event to raise funds. All proceeds from the sales will go to a children's foundation that will be donated to an orphanage."
Julia raised the gavel. "With this, the auction begins."
Bam! Bam! Bam!????????????????????????????????.????????????
The gavel resonated throughout the room, igniting the enthusiasm of the guests amid the silence.
The first auction item began.
The red curtain behind her slowly opened, revealing a forest painting hanging on the stage wall. The soft light from the stage lamps surrounded the painting, highlighting every detail clearly.
"Introducing to you all, an extraordinary work of art, 'Peace Within the Forest' by Patrick Galler. This painting is a manifestation of beauty and uniqueness in every stroke of the brush," Julia said with a voice filled with admiration.
She continued by elaborating on the history and background of the painting. Every word she spoke seemed to bring the painting itself to life, making the guests feel like they were embarking on a journey through time and art.
Amid Julia's beautiful explanation, Klaus heard a soft voice whispering in his ear.
"It's bullshit. Don't bid it."
Naturally, Klaus raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"My mother collects valuable items for investment. But her knowledge of art is very shallow. There's no painter in history named Patrick Galler. He's likely just an amateur or a novice artist. Look at it, the painting style. It's very mediocre."
Judging by her tone, Klaus was convinced that Olivia was being honest. After living for hundreds of years, he could distinguish between lies and truth as easily as breathing.
At the same time, he was slightly surprised to learn that Julia was selling a painting by an unknown artist.
"Alright! Let's start the bidding. We'll begin at $10,000!"
As the gavel fell, a low buzz of voices and offers began to fill the room. Guests raised their numbered paddles, submitting bids at high prices, and Olivia announced the amounts to the highest bidders.
"Fifteen thousand!"
"Number 69 bids $15,000."
"Twenty-five thousand!"
"Number 79 bids $25,000."
"Twenty-seven thousand!"
"$27,000 from number 54! Anyone else?"
The atmosphere grew more intense. Each bid was met with suspense and anticipation. Guests continued to raise their offers, bidding higher and higher.
"Number 78 bids $80,000! Any other bids?"
As dozens of numbered paddles went up in the air, Julia's gaze landed on number 98. She pointed at that guest, and a young man with emerald green eyes rose from his seat.
He said, "Two hundred thousand."
Instantly, the entire room fell silent.
