Who Is The Real Boss?

Chapter 136 Charity Auction 

Annie scanned the bar and discovered Annabel sitting in the corner.

However, her companion wasn't a man but a rather familiar woman.

After staring at the woman for a while, Annie finally remembered that the woman was Anika—the person in charge of Leo Studio.

Back when Benton Group was involved in a plagiarism scandal, Anika stepped forward to testify for Annabel and proved Marilyn was guilty of the act.

What was the relationship between Anika and Annabel? Didn't they say Annabel was merely a bumpkin from the countryside? Why was she with Anika? The two of them conversed and giggled, as if they were always on good terms.

Annie was slightly confused.

She quietly sat somewhere not too far away from them both and heard that Annabel would be attending tomorrow's charity auction.

Charity auction? Annie flashed a devious smile before quickly sending Heather a message.

"Annabel will be attending Leo Studio's charity auction tomorrow."

Heather soon replied, "You get ready."

After a few glasses of wine, Annabel began to feel slightly tipsy.

Anika stopped Annabel from taking another sip of her wine and said, "Don't drink.Come over to my place for a nap."

"Okay."

Exhausted, Annabel rubbed her temples.

Feeling slightly drunk, she stood up and walked to the door with Anika.

Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

Annie? Annabel frowned, wondering whether or not it was a coincidence bumping into Annie at the bar.

After a night's rest at Anika’s place, Annabel woke up at noon the next day.

As she massaged the space between her eyebrows, she saw Anika's message.

"I'm going to prepare for the charity dinner.There's breakfast in the kitchen that you could heat up.I've also sent you Leo Studio's new product launch for the next season.See you tonight."

Good friends were always considerate.

A sense of warmth welled up in Annabel's heart.

After breakfast, Annabel carefully went over the plan Anika forwarded her and added a few comments.

Tonight's charity dinner would be held at a five-star hotel.

As the person in charge of the charity dinner, Anika went to the hotel early in the morning to ensure they were fully prepared.

After greeting Anika, Annabel took her seat in an inconspicuous corner.

This charity auction would be held by Leo Studio with many celebrities invited.

Heather asked Hooper for an invitation and entered the auction hall.

She looked around the venue and saw Annabel sitting in the corner.

However, Rupert wasn't there.

It seemed he wasn't too fond of Annabel.

Otherwise, she would not have been out the previous night and come to the charity auction alone.

Heather's eyes glimmered with undeniable mischief.

"I'm going to teach you an unforgettable lesson tonight, Annabel."

At eight o'clock in the evening, the auction officially began.

The emcee announced, "Welcome to Leo Studio's charity auction! All proceeds will be donated by the studio to charity.Thank you all for the support.Tonight, a total of ten items donated by Leo Studio will be up for sale in the hope that they will find their new owners.Now, the auction officially begins.The first item up for auction is a porcelain bowl.It is an antique from the Tang Dynasty!"

The female assistant gracefully walked to the center of the stage carrying a delicate tray.

The emcee removed the red cloth and I revealed the cyan porcelain bowl.

"The starting bid price of this item is five hundred thousand dollars.Each bid increase will be no less than fifty thousand.Those interested may start bidding!"

Annabel raised her head to take a look at the porcelain bowl and realized it was her grandpa's previous gift to her.

There were so many antiques in her house, and she decided to auction some of them.

Eventually, the porcelain bow] was sold at two million dollars.

The second item up for auction was a fluffy, lifelike cat.

"Isn't this plush cat adorable? Don't underestimate it, though.This was made by Leo.Its eyes were made of diamonds, making it a highly valuable collectible."

Someone whispered, "It turns out Leo made it."

"That must be very expensive.I wonder who will get it."

The cat was tailor-made by Annabel.She was quite fond of it, which was why she decided to buy it back.

"This cat is up for auction starting at one million dollars.Each bid should be no less than one hundred thousand.The bidding is now open."

As soon as the emcee finished speaking, someone raised a paddle and exclaimed, "One million and two hundred thousand!"

"One million and five hundred thousand!"

"Two million!"

The bids increased and soon reached five million.

"The current bidding price is five million dollars.Anyone willing to place a bigger offer?"

Annabel opened her lips and declared, "Ten million."

"This lady bid ten million.Is there anyone else..."

Before the emcee could finish his words, Heather swiftly raised her paddle.

"Twelve million!"

Heather shot Annabel a venomous glare.

In fact, she never intended to bid to get the cat.

All she wanted was to steal whatever Annabel wanted.

Receiving Heather's defiant gaze, Annabel fired back with a subtle smile and raised her paddle again. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"Fifteen million."

Fifteen million? Heather glowered at Annabel with even more disdain.

"How could a country bumpkin like her have so much money? She's probably bidding with Rupert's money!"

But as Heather looked around the room, there was no sign of Rupert.

Rupert stood up, strode toward Annabel, looked at her up and down, and asked sarcastically, "Annabel, is Rupert aware that you're spending so much money on a cat?"

Annabel stared at Heather as if she was an idiot.

"Whether he knows or not is none of your business."

"So he doesn't know?"

Heather sneered.

"Wouldn't it be embarrassing if you got the cat but didn't have enough money to purchase it?"

"That's none of your business."

Annabel grinned slightly before she took out a black card and waved it in front of Heather's face.

Annabel found it funny that Heather thought she couldn't afford the cat.

It suddenly occurred to Heather that Annabel had used this black card at RD Boutique to purchase the Elsa dress.

Heather couldn't help but grow furious.

This time, she had to get that cat! Once more, she raised her paddle and screamed, "Twenty million!"