Chapter 9
Julia’s POV
“Oh, but of course,” Celeste sneered. “Some women will do anything to climb their way up. Isn’t that right, a whore…”
I landed her a hot slap.The slap came before she could finish the sentence. A sharp sound filled across the room as my palm connected with her cheek.
“One more word from you, I’ll let you see reasons why you should never interfere in my matter.”
Celeste staggered backward, losing her balance and collapsing onto the floor immediately my hand landed on her face. She wasn’t expecting it. A shrill scream tore from her throat as she clutched her burning cheek.
“Alex! Alex!” she wailed.
I stood, waiting to see what would happen next.
Alex moved fast, his expression darkening as he stepped toward me, his arm grabbing my wrist and just as he was about to hit me, his hand was caught mid air.
“You dare lay a hand on her? I’ll rip you off.
Lucas’s grip was firm, and his cold voice sliced through the tension.
Alex turned to glare at him, but I saw fear in his eyes. He might have been arrogant, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly who he was dealing with. He was no match for Lucas.
With a jerk, Lucas released his grip, shoving Alex’s arm away. Alex clenched his fists but didn’t dare move again. Celeste’s wail filled the room but I had no interest in her dramatics.
I turned my gaze away, straightening my dress with a calmness. With that, Lucas placed his hand around my waist as we both walked away, back into the building.
After several minor projects were presented and won, the highlight of the evening finally arrived which was the Creator Project; an advanced security system designed to revolutionize corporate and private protection. This was the very project I had tried to convince Lucas about back in his office, not to invest so much in.
A polished representative took the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is the pinnacle of security technology, a system that not only detects but predicts threats using artificial intelligence. This is not just a security system; it is a shield, a fortress. The bidding will start at five million dollars.”
Whispers spread across the room. Many were interested, but only a few had the wealth and power to play this game.
Alex was the first to speak.
“Ten million dollars,” he announced smoothly, his usual smug as he stared at us.
I glanced at Lucas. He leaned back in his chair, studying Alex with a knowing expression.
“Fifteen million,” Lucas said smugishly, swirling the wine in his glass from where we sat.
The other bidders hesitated, sensing the impending battle between Alex and Lucas so they didn’t want to get involved.
Alex then announced again. “Twenty million.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing. “Thirty.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Alex didn’t hesitate. “Forty.” He added.
The numbers shot higher, each bid coming sharper, more aggressive..
“Sixty.” Said Lucas.
“Seventy.” Alex replied.
“One hundred.” And then Lucas.
Silence.
1/2
Chicpter S
+25 Bonus
Even the auctioneer seemed momentarily taken aback by Lucas’s and Alex’s bold leap. Eyes darted between the two men, the atmosphere with competition.
Alex hesitated for the briefest moment. Then he straightened, glancing at Celeste, who nodded encouragingly.
“One hundred and twenty.”
A pause.
All eyes shifted to Lucas.
But this time, he simply smiled, setting his glass down with a soft clink.
“I’m done.”
The auctioneer slammed the gavel down.
“Sold! To Mr. Alex Carter for one hundred and twenty million dollars!”
Celeste practically flares in excitement, her hand clutching Alex’s arm. She turned and after glaring at I and Lucas, she returned her gaze to
her man, her voice saccharine as she said, “Congratulations, darling! No one else could have won this but you.”
Lexhaled, shaking my head slightly. Fool. He had no idea what he had just gotten himself into.
After the event, Lucas and I stood near the exit having some brief discussion.
I narrowed my eyes. “You said you would help my company if what I predicted comes true right?”
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, we are yet to find out.”
As we made our way toward the car, Alex and Celeste suddenly stepped in front of us, blocking our path.
Celeste’s lips curled into a smirk. “Leaving already? What a shame. I was hoping to celebrate our victory a little longer.”
Lucas remained calm, his hands in his pockets as he regarded them coolly.
Alex’s smirk matched Celeste’s. “What’s wrong, Lucas? Couldn’t keep up? All that talk, and yet you couldn’t even win the project?”
Lucas exhaled, looking almost… bored. “Whether winning was a blessing or a curse is something we’ll see in time.”
Alex scoffed. “Only losers say that.”
Lucas’s eyes darkened. “Perhaps. But even the best project might fail in the wrong hands.”
Alex’s smugness faltered just slightly.
I couldn’t help the small smile that played on my lips as I stepped forward, my voice calm yet sharp.
“Enjoy your victory, Alex. I do hope you can handle it.”
With that, I turned on my heel, walking out with Lucas beside me, leaving them standing there.
P
