In the eyes of most ordinary people, Vivian West was already powerful.
She had a billion-dollar company and a name that carried weight across Northbridge.
But after meeting Ethan, Vivian finally understood what true power looked like.
Compared with him, what were her wealth and influence?
She looked around.
Every person attending this auction had status.
Yet after learning that Ethan wanted the necklace, not one dared compete.
They were afraid of being remembered by him.
If Ethan chose any one of the Four Families and gave a casual order, plenty of people here could be bankrupted.
Seeing those once-proud faces lowered now, each pretending they had never wanted the necklace, Vivian suddenly understood why power was so intoxicating.
Soon, a staff member approached Ethan with the necklace on a tray held in both hands.
The Pink Heart lay there quietly, brilliant beneath the hall lights.
Ethan picked it up casually and turned toward Vivian.
"Pin up your hair. I'll put it on you."
Vivian froze.
"This... isn't quite appropriate."
She said that aloud.
But inside, she was deeply touched.
She had only mentioned it casually.
Ethan had truly spent millions buying it for her.
"If you don't want it," Ethan said deliberately, "I'll give it to another... socialite."
Vivian immediately became anxious.
"Don't."
Then she corrected herself.
"I didn't say I didn't want it."
She lifted both hands and gathered her long black hair, revealing her pale neck.
The curve was graceful, like a noble swan.
Ethan stood and moved behind her.
Vivian clearly felt his fingers brush aside the loose strands at the back of her neck.
His fingertips carried a faint warmth.
The next second, his hands circled forward.
The necklace touched her skin, cool and delicate.
Then came the tiny sound of the clasp closing.
Ethan returned to his seat and placed both hands lightly on her shoulders, examining her with unusual seriousness.
It was as if he were admiring a work of art.
Vivian began to feel uncomfortable under his gaze.
She was about to speak when Ethan said first, "Beautiful."
Vivian's eyes widened slightly.
Before she could reply, Ethan added, "The person, not the necklace."
Vivian failed to hide her smile.
"Thank you."
Her smile was bright and moving.
Her already beautiful face, paired with the glittering necklace at her throat, carried an unmistakable expensive elegance.
She could have stood there doing nothing and still become the center of the room.
The auction continued.
The second lot was brought up.
When the host lifted the cloth, it revealed an ancient landscape painting said to be a master's original from a thousand years ago.
"Starting price: eight million."
As soon as the host finished, Ethan raised his paddle.
"Nine million."
The hall went silent again.
Only Ethan and Vivian seemed to exist.
No one dared answer.
The hammer fell.
"Congratulations again to the gentleman in seat three for winning this landscape painting."
The third lot was a set of antique porcelain.
"Ten million," Ethan said lazily, raising the paddle.
No one competed.
Sold.
The fourth.
The fifth.
The sixth.
Anything Ethan liked, he bought.
He was not short of money.
With his balance, even burning cash in a fire would take a very long time.
Besides, he enjoyed the feeling of pressing down a hall full of rich men who had once seemed unreachable, taking every treasure he wanted alone.
No one could stop him.
He was simply buying happiness.
Vivian sat beside him, watching him raise the paddle again and again, watching the hammer fall again and again.
She was shocked until numb.
Quietly, she took out her phone and opened the camera.
She switched to selfie mode, adjusted the angle, and framed herself with the necklace at her throat.
Click.
She checked the photo and grew more satisfied the longer she looked.
Then she opened her chat with Celeste.
She selected the photo and typed:
Celeste, I think I really met the one.
Send.
At Shaw Group, Celeste's phone vibrated on her desk.
She was reviewing documents when she picked it up casually.
It was from Vivian.
Celeste opened the chat.
At first glance, surprise crossed her face.
Her attention was immediately caught by the enormous pink diamond.
Even the smaller diamonds arranged around it would be enough to drive plenty of people crazy.
She enlarged the photo and looked closely.
Celeste recognized it.
The Pink Heart.
Recently, it had been discussed constantly in their circle.
Countless socialites and wealthy women dreamed of owning it, but no one had successfully taken it.
She stared at the photo for a long time.
It truly was beautiful.
Now she understood why synthetic diamonds had become so advanced and yet women still lost themselves over stones like this.
"I didn't expect..." Celeste murmured, "Vivian's boyfriend to be this capable."
To buy that necklace in front of so many people required more than money.
It required power.
Enough power to silence everyone.
Celeste enlarged the half of Vivian's face visible in the photo.
That smile was one she had never seen in all their years of friendship.
It was sincere.
Unhidden happiness.
Celeste was dazed for a moment.
"The one..."
She shook her head and stopped thinking.
Then she typed:
Baby, congratulations. I hope things keep going well for you two, and I hope you enter marriage soon.
After thinking, she added:
When will you let this best friend of yours meet your fated man?
She added a teasing emoji.
Then another message:
Don't worry. I definitely won't steal him. I promise.
She sent them all.
...
At the auction hall, Vivian felt her phone vibrate against her thigh.
She picked it up and saw Celeste's reply.
After reading the three messages, she could not help smiling.
Her fingers moved quickly.
Anytime. If you're free, tonight works.
Send.
Celeste received the reply and looked at her secretary.
"Do I have anything scheduled tonight?"
The secretary opened her folder and scanned quickly.
"Miss Shaw, nothing special tonight."
"Good."
Celeste picked up her phone again.
Tonight works. I'll host. I'll book the restaurant. See you then.
Author's Note:
This story will continue updating here.
If you want to read more, you can unlock it here:
/c/TYMercer
Thank you for reading.