Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Piper Reed eventually left the jewelry store, humiliated and enraged. Windy quickly took the card and examined it from left to right. “How did you acquire this card?” she inquired, surprised. Ivy pursed her lips and explained, “It was given to me on my 18th birthday by my third brother. He told me to take it with me wherever I went. I had no idea it would come in helpful!” “Why didn’t God bless me with a third brother?” Windy’s brow furrowed with envy and jealousy. Ivy giggled and handed it over to her. “If you really like it, I’ll give it to you.” “Hey! No way! This card is good for the rest of your life. It’s no longer valid once moved. Therefore, you keep it,” she smirked, “but you can get me whatever I want,” she added. Ivy nodded, liking the idea. After purchasing the necklace, Windy enthusiastically carried Ivy around the mall for a time before they left. Ivy was in a terrific mood when she returned to work. Anna Gomez made slight movements, but Ivy was unconcerned and let her be. She knew that Anna’s actions could not be disguised from Cooper’s eyes and ears. She had no intention of stopping Anna from digging her own grave. Ivy was about to leave work with her bag on her arm when Agatha Hart contacted her. Agatha babbled as she took up the phone and got right to the point. “Hey! I really badly needed your help! Tonight is a charity dinner, and my company’s artist, Xian, is looking for a date. I’m not in the country right now, so could you kindly attend in my place?” Ivy glanced at her watch. “All good, I’ve got time anyway.” “Many thanks, love! I’ll have him bring you a dress. He’ll be there shortly.” Ivy lifted her brows once she hung up the phone. How is Agatha so confident that she’d go? Ivy headed downstairs to wait for the guy after informing Greg of her last-minute schedule. Xian was a model with a decent reputation. People in the company would undoubtedly start gossiping again if they saw her. As a result, Ivy wished to avoid such scandals. A sleek sports car emerged noisily at the workplace door in less than ten minutes.
Ivy was stunned when she saw Xian waving at her from the car as soon as she stepped outside, and she hurriedly climbed into the car. On the other hand, Xian removed his sunglasses and shot a flying kiss to the crowd at the entrance, watching them. Ivy was irritated and quickly regretted her actions. She wanted to get out of the car right away! She knew the next day’s headlines would be about her. Ivy didn’t say anything, so Xian laughed and turned to face her. “Miss Ivy, we haven’t met yet, but we’ve heard of each other. Thank you for the help.” She gave a quick smile and didn’t want to say anything else. “I’m not helping you,” she arched her brow, “I’m helping my friend,” she stated. “It’s no surprise that Agatha was so positive you’d help her. You and I should be good friends, right?” “Yes.” Ivy didn’t say anything else. Xian saw that Ivy wasn’t in a good mood, so he didn’t try to discuss it with her again. They arrived early at the charity dinner site, so Ivy changed into her attire while Xian waited at the door. This unique charity event was not only attended by artists but also by numerous celebrities and politicians. Ivy recognized a lot of people. While holding Xian’s arm, she noticed Eva and Piper Reed among the attendees when she entered the venue. Ivy cocked her brow. Wyatt Reed must have been present because these two were. She shook her head. This family is definitely out to haunt me. The charity auction was the main attraction at this event. Ivy had no intention of participating, but Xian was in a good mood. He attempted to bid on practically every item in the auction but failed to win anything. Ivy was perplexed and leaned in to ask him in hushed tones, “Are you here to raise the bid?” she asked. Otherwise, why would he raise the price but not put in the final bid? Xian pursed his lips and smiled enigmatically. “Agatha encouraged me to broaden my exposure and assured me that doing so would undoubtedly attract attention.” Ivy couldn’t say anything. In the blink of an eye, the final piece was soon up for auction. The item’s image is displayed on the
enormous LCD screen. It was an old tobacco pipe set with exceptional clarity and brilliance emeralds. Ivy squinted and saw that this object appeared to be familiar. She seems to have seen it in the Reed Mansion’s historic hall. Ivy was taken aback when she recognized it. Indeed, it is the old Reed’s most prized possession, passed down as a family heirloom for generations. The Don guards it with his life and refuses to let others look at it, so how did it end up here as an auction item? Ivy’s mind raced as her gaze glanced over the room. She didn’t see Wyatt anywhere, but Eva and Piper were in the front, smugly smiling at each other, enjoying the crowd’s attention. Ivy instantly realized something. Her smile widened as she reflected… so it’s a charitable trap. Only a few people in the room were aware of the Reed family relic and mistook it for an ordinary emerald tobacco pipe. Eva and Piper had to have stolen it for the auction and then bid on it. They would gain both money and renown at the end of it. What a stupid scheme! “This is the Reed Corporation charity auction item donated by Mrs. Reed and Ms. Reed. They are quite generous to donate such a valuable thing. Now it’s time to start bidding! Three million dollars is the starting price,” said the host, making Ivy’s eyes widen but grin in the end. Three million dollars? Ivy gave a soft laugh. Don Reed’s valuable family treasure was only worth $3 million? Eva drew out her bidding paddle. “Three million dollars!” “Four million dollars...” Ivy lowered her eyelids and paused for a moment. She raised her bidding paddle without hesitation and said, “Ten million dollars!”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.