The makeup artist put the final touches on Rachel’s makeup. She looked at Rachel in the mirror in
satisfaction and pride. “Miss Bennet, I didn’t believe it when Eva said that you were exquisite looking.
But now that I have seen you with my own eyes, I have to say that you’re the most beautiful woman I
have ever seen. You’re so pretty, and your skin is so tender and fair.” ‘Eva?’ Rachel glanced at the
makeup artist’s chest and saw the word “Gardenia” on her uniform.
She had been thinking about her plan tonight and hadn’t noticed that the makeup artist was one of
Gardenia’s employees. But since she had met Eva only twice, Rachel didn’t know her that well. She
just smiled. The maid walked over with a glass of warm water and said, “Yes, Miss Bennet, you are the
most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I think you will be the most exquisite among the ladies tonight!”
Rachel looked at herself in the mirror.
She blinked a couple of times but didn’t say anything. There were only ten minutes left for the auction
to start. Rachel stood up as she estimated that it was time to leave, and at the same time, someone
knocked on the door. Ivan was at the door and was stunned for a moment when he saw Rachel. “Miss
Bennet… Mr. Sullivan is busy with something, so he asked me to pick you up for the auction.” Rachel
nodded, lifted the hem of her dress, and walked forward in her high heels.
After taking a couple of steps, she turned to look behind and realized that the maid wasn’t following her.
She stopped and asked, “Aren’t you coming with me?” The maid looked up and asked uncertainly, “You
want me to come with you, Miss Bennet?” “Yes.” An inexplicable look flashed across Rachel’s eyes.
The maid was an integral part of her plan tonight. Of course, she had to be there. The maid didn’t
notice it at all because she was so immersed in the joy of just being able to attend the auction. “Okay…
Then…” She got excited by just thinking about all the young men from wealthy families who would also
be attending the auction.
But she suddenly realized something and looked down at her clothes. “But my clothes…” “Well, there
are still ten minutes left. There’s a dress in the bedroom, and the makeup artist will help you apply
some simple makeup,” Rachel said with a smile.
The maid smiled and nodded. As night fell, the moon’s reflection glittered like diamonds on the dark
waters. The ship was
Sailing at a constant speed, and it was bright enough on board as if it was daytime The auction was in
an indoor banquet hall on the highest floor, and the after-party would be on the open-air deck. By the
time Rachel and the maid entered, many people were already present in the hall. Men in suits and
leather shoes, women decked up in all their finery. People were drinking and chatting, portraying the
elegance of the upper class.
Soon, Victor’s eyes rested on Rachel. She was wearing a stunning blue dress, and the hem was
encrusted with tiny pink diamonds. The lights reflected on the diamonds making it look surreal.
She had left her long hair loose, and the ends curled appealingly. It was difficult for anyone to take their
eyes off of her. Towards the front of the banquet hall, the president of the Chamber of Commerce
spoke to Victor about cooperation. However, as soon as he finished speaking, Victor immediately
excused himself.
Before the president could react, Victor left him. With quick strides, he closed the distance between him
and Rachel.
Rachel noticed him too. Seeing him approach, she stood still. The president’s secretary came over and
said, “I heard that Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Jimenez had a fight over her on the deck yesterday. I didn’t
believe it at first, but it was true.” “They fought?” The president’s face showed his surprise. “Yes. What’s
so special about that woman? That two distinguished men from affluent families fought over her like
common thugs!”
The secretary looked at Rachel from afar and then looked down at her own dress. Her tone was full of
jealousy. She had been preparing for the past three months. She thought she would be the most
beautiful woman at the auction, but Rachel came and stole her limelight.
The president cast a calculative glance at Rachel. “I have a task for you.” “What’s that?” “Try to get
familiar with Miss Bennet tonight. You are both women and should have a lot to talk about.
According to what you said now, she must be very special to Victor. Maybe through her, we can find a
way to get Sullivan Group and Jimenez Group to cooperate.” The secretary frowned unhappily and
said, “She is just a spoiled and stupid woman who can achieve nothing on her own. Bennet Group is
now under her control.
I heard that it was almost going bankrupt. Do you think Mr. Sullivan will listen to her business-related
opinions?” “Stupid?! I don’t think so.” The president smiled. “A woman who can get Victor and Roger to
fight over her is not ordinary or stupid.”
“But I heard…”
“It’s just a rumor. Just think about it. Everyone kept saying that Bennet Group would go bankrupt under
Rachel. But has it? It’s still there.”
The secretary’s eyes widened. She looked at Rachel and Victor and felt a shiver go up her spine. It
wasn’t long before the auction started. The host walked onto the stage with a microphone in hand,
dressed to the nines. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Sorry for the delay. The auction starts now.
The first item is antique porcelain which is five hundred years old. The starting price is three hundred
thousand dollars.”
A pretty-looking assistant carefully uncovered the red cloth and revealed the artifact. “Three hundred
and fifty thousand!” “Four hundred thousand!” “Five hundred thousand!” “Five hundred and fifty
thousand!”
People kept bidding, and the price kept rising. Rachel looked on indifferently. She was not interested in
these kinds of events. As the auction continued, she could hear Quintin complain though her earpiece
from time to time. “Five hundred years?
I can tell, at a glance, they’re all defective. These are nothing compared to the treasures stored in the
alliance’s storage. And these fools are bidding hundreds of thousands of dollars on it?” “No way! How
can one spend five million for that shabby painting?! What use does he have for it? Does he want to
use it to ward off evil?”
. “The pearls are too dim, isn’t it? Seven hundred thousand?! If that’s the case, the one in my room will
fetch a cool million!” “What the hell…” Rachel was speechless. Of course, these items couldn’t
compare to those of the alliance. The least expensive one was worth twenty million.
Suddenly, she heard Quintin’s voice again. “There’s one item that seems nice. It’s a pure vivid blue
diamond necklace. Boss, how about I gift it to you?” Soon, the host said excitedly, “Ladies and
gentlemen, the next piece is the last item of today’s auction. The blue diamond necklace named
Beloved.”
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