Chapter 90 Madeline was momentarily stunned to hear Noahâs voice. However, she quickly regained her composure and turned around to face the man. To her surprise, Noah was wearing a long apron over his white shirt with rolled-up sleeves. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, certain that they were playing tricks on her after a sleepless night.
âBreakfast is ready. Wanna have a bite?â the manâs voice interrupted her thoughts.
Madeline walked to the kitchen suspiciously as she thought, this isnât a dream. She was pleasantly surprised to see her favorite pancake and hot chocolate milk on the kitchen table.
âI didnât know you could cook, Mr. Quincy,â Madeline said in awe.
âThere are many things you donât know about me, Ms. Grant. You have all the time in the world to learn about me, so donât worry,â Noah teased.
Madeline scoffed inwardly, why is he so full of himself? Despite her disdain for the man, she sat at the kitchen table as her stomach was rumbling from all the hard work last night.
In the past, having breakfast with Noah was her long-cherished dream. She would make his favorite dishes for him, but he always found a way to avoid spending time with her. Even though they were husband and wife, they rarely spent time together.
Madeline did not expect that after all these years, things she once longed for but could not achieve were now easily realized. The luscious aroma of warm fluffy pancakes filled the room. It was made by Noah, the man who once claimed to be busy all the time. He didnât have no time to accompany her; he simply didnât have time for then- Madeline.
How ironic, Madeline scoffed inwardly. Her heart was filled with sadness, and she should have gotten up and left. However, a part of her wanted to stay and fulfill her wish. Iâll just have one bite.
The woman sat down and quietly started eating the pancake. Itâs so delicious!
âHowâs the pancake, Ms. Grant? Is it to your liking?â
âHmm, itâs good. You cook well, Mr. Quincy.â
âGlad that you like it.â
Madeline blurted, âMrs. Quincy must have been a lucky woman. Youâve such great culinary skills.â
âUnfortunately, she had not tried my breakfast. I felt regretful, so I learned and dreamed that one day, I might serve breakfast for her,â Noah said earnestly. He then placed another piece of freshly made pancake on Madelineâs plate. The woman felt a sting of melancholy and confusion as she looked at the golden- brown treat.
âMs. Grant, the auction begins at ten oâclock,â Albert stated as he entered the kitchen, looking at his watch. âWe need to leave soon.â
âAll right, letâs go.â Madeline rushed out of the kitchen without saying anything further.
The auction was held at Imperial Hotel. Madeline was wearing a figure-hugging black dress with small diamonds studded on the dress, emitting a twinkling brightness. Her long hair was slightly curled and styled neatly behind her face. As she entered the hotel in her black high-heeled shoes, she immediately drew everyoneâs attention.
What she did not expect was to see a familiar person from a distance as soon as she entered the auction hall.
Noah, dressed in a well-fitting velvet suit, stood out from the crowd like a noble aristocrat.
Wasnât he at my house? How did he get here so quickly?
Noah also saw her at this moment, and his finely carved face lit up with a playful smile. She ignored his existence and intentionally chose a seat away from the man.
The auction, organized by the Charity Association, was intended to raise funds to build schools in the slums. As the chairman of the association, Madeline was obliged to support the event. She also wanted to do her part to help the less privileged students get an education.
The Quincy family did not partake in charity events ever since news of Angieâs charity fraud got out. When Albert presented her with the guest list for todayâs auction, Noahâs name was not on it.
Madeline was perplexed by Noahâs sudden appearance. What is he doing here? Did he follow me to the auction hall?
Meanwhile, the ladies from aristocratic households in Imperia began to gossip about her while she was debating the reasons for Noahâs presence.
âWhatâs happening to Madeline and Noah? Are they fighting?â
âSheâs so brazen to ignore Noah!â
âWhat a rude and obnoxious woman! She thinks that everyone is beneath her just because Noah likes her.â
âSheâll be in huge danger if she irritates Noah!â
Madeline seemed oblivious to their condescending remarks as she concentrated on the auction. She was never one to judge herself against others.
âUp next is a jade necklace fashioned by Ms. Fleur, a well-known international designer. The starting bid price is one billion dollars.â The auctioneerâs hearty and enthusiastic voice echoed throughout the auction hall. A woman was standing behind him, wearing a necklace made of diamond-studded jade beads.
Madeline, who had been idly watching the entire procedure, eventually raised her paddle as the auctioneerâs speech ended. â200 million,â she said with a straight face.
Noah immediately raised his paddle when he heard Madelineâs voice. How can she pay for the things she wants out of her pocket? I should foot the bill instead!
â400 million,â he called out. The generous man instantly doubled the bid price.
Madeline was astonished to hear Noahâs bid as she did not expect the man to show interest in a necklace worth 500 thousand dollars. She boosted the bid price without hesitation, â600 million!â she smirked. The man whom she knew would never allow himself to lose in an auction bid.
âOne billion!â Someone raised the price again in three seconds, precisely as she had predicted. It was incredibly audacious and generous of one to bid such a high price.
Madeline glanced at the charitable man and thought, he shall have the honor to help build the schools in the slums.
âOne billion, going once! Twice! Thrice!â After a short pause, the auctioneer continued enthusiastically, âSold!â
When the event ended, the owner of the auction house went over to Noah and said, âCongratulations, Mr. Quincy. This is the necklace you won in the auction. Weâll have it delivered to your residence.â
âPlease send it to Ms. Grant. Itâs a gift from me,â Noah replied.
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