Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Anthony’s move stunned everyone into silence, especially Andrea. Her face switched between red and pale, and she struggled to breathe steadily. It was like a slap right to her face, knocking both her pride and dignity to the floor. Hot with fury and embarrassment, she barely contained herself.

The auctioneer caught the tense vibe and shot a knowing look to a server, who quickly apologized and excused themselves. The auctioneer, who had known Genevieve for quite a while, attempted to diffuse the situation with a joke. “Well, it was yours and now it’s back with you. Seems like you and the Siren’s Tear are really meant to be.”

Genevieve’s brows knit together, her face void of any excitement, her gaze toward the Siren’s Tear in her hand indifferent. She gave a half–smile and pushed it back into Anthony’s hands. “This is your possession now. Give it to your fiancée, consider it an engagement gift,” she said coolly.

If Genevieve really wanted it, she wouldn’t have forfeited the bid. She mused, ‘I had intentionally driven the price up, aware that Andrea would fight for it, and knowing Anthony wouldn’t lose face by being outbid by a woman. And Anthony did exactly what I expected. But he had turned around and handed it to me. What is going through that jerk’s head?

Anthony’s expression darkened. There was anger in his eyes and he said in an icy tone, “What engagement? Who do you mean my fiancée? That’s nonsense. This was always meant for you.”

He thrust the Siren’s Tear back into Genevieve’s hands, a clear edge of anger in his voice, but Genevieve wasn’t taking any of it.

She curved her lips in a mocking smile as she thought, ‘Everyone had seen them cut the cake together and Andrea herself had admitted it. Are they playing me for a fool?‘

Genevieve didn’t want to come off as jealous or confrontational, so she just smiled, peacefully handing the Siren’s Tear to Andrea. “Ms. Thomson, congratulations. This is your engagement gift.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, which sparkled with a sharp, cool beauty.

She laughed carelessly, ignoring Andrea’s visible shame and discomfort. To Genevieve, it no longer mattered. That which she didn’t want could be claimed by anyone else who desired it.

What started as a coveted jewel had now become a proverbial hot potato. “Was Genevieve deliberately making me uncomfortable?‘ Andrea thought. She was livid, itching to lash out, but she bit down hard on her lower lip, tightly reigning in her emotions. She couldn’t embarrass herself in front of so many people.

Genevieve’s lips twitched into a smirk; she had achieved her goal and didn’t want to stick around the lovebirds any longer. Hoisting her dress, she made her way upstairs. Each floor promised its own thrills, and she wasn’t just here to see Johnson–no harm in a little fun, right?

Before anyone could even process the scene, Anthony marched over to Andrea, his face grim. His voice dropped into an uncontrollable chill. “Engagement? When did I ever pop the question to you? Did you forget why you’re here tonight?”

His eyes carried a glint of cool intimidation, causing Andrea to shudder slightly, a mix of dread and guilt in her stance. “Mr. Hoffman, I didn’t say anything about the engagement. It may be that Ms. Lawrence misunderstood me. I will explain it to her later.”

Chapter 126

Anthony anger, his expression stormy. He was on the verge of saying something when the auctioneer, unable to hold back a chuckle. interjected, “Before the auction started, I heard so many celebrities and ladies congratulating Ms. Thomson on her engagement to Mr. Hoffman. You didn’t deny it at that time. I thought it was true!” He took a meaningful look at Anthony and said, “Don’t you know, Mr. Hoffman? Then why did Ms. Thomson come here?”

ll reeled from Genevieve’s words, barely containing I

The second he spoke up, every socialite in the room perked their ears, their interest piqued. This was shaping up to be more enthralling than any reality TV drama they’d seen.

Andrea’s heart skipped a beat, her complexion shifted subtly as she tried to respond. But Anthony, with a stern face and a furrowed brow, snatched the Siren’s Tear from her hand and turned on his heel, leaving her with his cutting parting shot, “She’s just a regular guest, don’t overthink it.”

His words rippled through the silence like a boulder dropped into a still lake, sending shockwaves through the onlookers. Everyone might have missed his last remark, but they all clearly understood Andrea was “just a regular guest.”

Andrea’s face drained of color, the emptiness in her palm echoing the hit she’d just taken, looking ready to crumble.

As Anthony strode away, all the elite ladies hesitated to approach Andrea, they rather enjoyed the spectacle from a distance. Andrea had never really been part of their circle, riding the Hoffman family coattails was the only reason they tolerated her, and their hidden disdain was no secret.

“Anthony bought that jewelry for his ex–wife?”

“She really likes to deceive herself and others. I thought it was really an engagement party tonight, but Anthony denied it himself. Why is she still pretending

“The Hoffman family won’t be so insensible?“

Whispers and chatter trickled into Andrea’s ears, grinding her patience thinner with each word.

The third floor was where the high–rollers played. Some were dealing cards, others playing poker, a mini–Vegas right in the heart of the city, scaled down to a personal playground.

Genevieve casually surveyed the area and settled down in a quieter spot, bored as she watched others gamble away. A stack of chips slid her way, and as she looked up, she saw Louis with his warm, inviting smile.

“Feel like playing?” he offered gently

Genevieve shook her head. “No, I’m not interested.”

Louis raised an eyebrow, all politeness. “Hungry at all? Want something to eat?” His thoughtfulness shone through–a gentleman through and through.

Genevieve patted her stomach and felt hungry. “A bit, I guess. I’ll go grab a bite at the restaurant,” she said, standing up. Once she filled up, she’d go find Johnson to discuss business.

Louis paused and said, “Just now, I saw Anthony’s parents heading to the restaurant.

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Chapter 1261

Genevieve stopped dead in her tracks, her appetite vanishing. The last thing she wanted was to have the Hoffman family kill her mood even at dinner.

Grinning, Louis offered, “How about you stay here, and I’ll bring back some food for you?”

Genevieve’s eyes sparkled as she readily agreed, “Thanks! I’m in the mood for some lobster and

pasta.”

Louis said, “Got it.”

65%

As Louis left, Genevieve felt much better. She thought, ‘Louis is the MVP in clutch moments, not doubt!”

Johnson comes over with a glass of wine and puts it in front of Genevieve. “Ms. Lawrence, shall we talk about the acquisition?”

His sudden shift to business took Genevieve off guard. She instinctively accepted the drink with a smile, “Sure thing.”

Johnson’s demeanor was relaxed but to the point, “Jacinta approached me before, but we couldn’t agree on the price. I know you guys are looking to hit big, so here’s the deal–I want ten percent of your company.”

Genevieve tensed up slightly, her casual gaze sharpening in an instant, “Mr. Lewis, we can’t agree to

those terms.”

Genevieve, Jacinta, and Anthony had found a delicate balance in their three–way partnership–any dilution of shares now could collapse the entire project.

Johnson’s smile briefly froze before he resumed his carefree air, swirling his wine and clinking his glass against hers, “For your sake, Ms. Lawrence, I’ll revise my offer–triple the price.”