28 - Charity ball

Abigail's POV.

The charity ball's theme is black, so I hired the most professional designer to design me the best gown in the world. I stepped outside my car with my date, Gerald. He was also invited to this auction, and we're here to bid the highest amount of all, especially since Baron and Hilary were also here.

I was wearing my eye-catching black dress, covered with a dazzling small diamond-like design, a high slit on the left, and a perfect fit to my curves. We enter the vicinity, catching the attention of every guest inside. I smiled sweetly, showing them how moved I was by the invitation I received.

“Miss McAdams,” the host of the auction greeted me.

“Good evening, Mr. Lopez. Good to see you again; you look sharp.”

He chuckled, “Thank you. You look stunning.” His eyes landed on Gerald, “Gerald, nice meeting you too.”

“Me too, Mr. Lopez.”

“Uh, Miss McAdams.”

“Yes?”

“We are thankful for having you tonight, especially since your father helps us with every charity ball. Your presence is very much appreciated, and we will always be grateful for having you.”

“Thank you.”

“So, I'll go ahead. I have a party to host, and we expect you to bid,” he chuckled before leaving us.

I want to wish this night will become peaceful, but knowing that Hilary will be here tonight with my man will crush that hope of mine. We mingled with the guests, greeting them with a smile written on our lips, when suddenly I heard someone clear her throat behind me.

I looked around, seeing Hilary's annoying face, “Hey, sis.”

“Hey,” I greeted her. I looked at her from head to toe, and I recognized that dress.

How dare she copy mine.

“Don't you have originality, Abby?” She gasped, faking the shock, catching everyone's attention and staring at us while whispering. “You even copied my gown!” She exclaimed, raising her voice intentionally.

I chuckled because I didn't see this coming. How did she even know about my gown? The only person I told about this—I paused and realized what was going on.

“Why would I copy your gown? Our gown has differences because yours seemed cheap, and mine is made by the most—” she cut me off. “Made by the most professional designer in the world. Perhaps, Madam Cory?”

I calm myself and smile professionally. So, she hired the same designer to ruin my night, and I'm not prepared. I must endure this humiliation tonight, especially since I need to clarify everything.

I need to speak with my secretary as soon as possible.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! May I have your attention, please.”

Hilary grinned at me before gazing at the stage; I did the same and pretended everything was fine. I need to act professionally in front of these rich people, or they might think I'm a copycat.

“Tonight, we're bidding on paintings made by our great painters. The money you bid will be given to our fundraiser and orphanages. I'm happy you joined our charity ball tonight, especially to our special guest who's been joining us ever since. The McAdams.” They applaud after pointing me to the spotlight, and I smile at the guests.

“Her father has been my partner in this kind of event every year, and Miss McAdams's family has become part of this event since we started. So, let the bidding begin!”

A six-footer man appeared with a covered painting, placing it on the table. “First up! The Women of Algiers!”

“This painting, Les Femmes d'Alger, took on Picasso's distinct style and was a cubist reimagining Eugène Delacroix's 1834 painting The Women of Algiers in their Apartment. Created in 1955, this piece is part of a series of 15 paintings and numerous drawings inspired by Eugène Delacroix's 1834 work ‘The Women of Algiers.’”

“The bidding will start at five hundred thousand dollars!”

“Five hundred fifty thousand dollars!” A man wearing a black tuxedo with a big belly raises his number.

“Five hundred fifty thousand dollars. Do I hear six?”

“Six hundred fifty thousand dollars,” Hilary proudly announced and looked at me as if I was going to bid.

“Six hundred fifty thousand dollars. Do I hear seven?”

“Why are you not bidding, Abigail? Scared to lose your money?”

I chuckled, “No. I want to get the best.”

“Hmm, you don't need to hide. I know you're scared.”

“Going once, going twice? Sold!” The host hit the bell, and everyone applauded.

“Next on our list is Chop Suey, made by Edward Hopper. Hopper's restaurant paintings reflect the shifting role and view of American women in the late 1920s. Chop suey joints were spaces where the new female workforce was welcome — indeed, the woman facing the viewer is the painting's focal point.”

He banged the bell again and shouted, “The bidding will start at—”

“One million dollars,” Hilary interfered, causing the crowd to gasp in amazement. She was looking at me, having that grin on her face.

I notice Baron's disappointed expression, and I can't help but smile because my man is losing his patience with this woman. She's acting like a child.

“One million dollars! Do I hear one million and five hundred thousand dollars?!”

“Two million dollars!” Hilary once again proudly announced.

“What are you doing?” Baron pulled her hand down, scolding her. “Bidding. What'd you think?”

“Enough! You're wasting so much money!” He muttered.

She pulled her arm away and smiled, “Trust me, babe. That painting will be a good display for our future house.”

“One million dollars. Going once, going twice? Sold to Miss Hilary!”

Hilary excitedly clapped her hands before raising an eyebrow at me. I shook my head because she thought she had won, but I had plans. I'm waiting for the right painting to spend on; even Hilary won't surpass it.

“Here's our beauty for tonight. Salvator Mundi by Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci. Salvator Mundi, Latin for Savior of the World, is a painting attributed in whole or in part to the Italian High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated c. 1499–1510. Long thought to be a copy of a lost original veiled with overpainting, it was rediscovered, restored, and included in an exhibition of Leonardo's work at the National Gallery, London, in 2011–2012.”

“So, who wants to start the bidding?”

I saw from my peripheral vision that Hilary was planning to raise her number, so I raised it before her, causing everyone's eyes to turn to me.

“I bid fifteen million dollars for that amazing painting.”

“Wow! Fifteen million dollars! Do I hear twenty?”

“Twenty million dollars!” Hilary shouted, and that's the cue.

The fight has begun.

“Thirty million dollars,” I simply announced.

She groans as I raise the bid higher than hers, and that's precisely what I plan to do. I want her to compete with me and see how far she can go to prove her lavish life.

“Thirty-five million dollars!” She desperately shouted.

“Wow! We have two competitors in the house! Do I hear forty?”

Hilary smirked at me, thinking this is how far I can go. “Forty million dollars!” The crowd cheered.

“Going once, going twice?”

“Is that all you got, Abigail?” She was grinning at me with confidence.

“I don't know. Am I?” I raised my number and said, “Sixty million dollars. Cash.”

Everyone gasped, causing me to turn at Hilary, who was surprised too. She hesitated between bidding higher or not, especially since she didn't have that kind of money. I know what is happening in her life, and Baron never gives her money.

So, she can't bid more.

“Sixty million dollars! Going once, going twice!”

“What? Don't tell me you're scared?” I annoy her.

“N-no!” She stammered.

“Really? Then bid more.”

From my side, I can feel how uncomfortable Gerald is. Even though he's not talking, I know he was disappointed with his wife's actions.

Go on, Hilary. Bid. I want to see what kind of solution your husband has.

“Seventy million dollars…” he mumbled.

“Sold!” The host rang the bell, and everyone clapped their hands in amazement.

Meanwhile, Hilary was not happy. But she managed to smile despite the fact she didn't have money to pay for it.

Poor, Hilary.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” Gerald excused himself. “Sure.”

He left hurriedly, and Hilary did the same but on a different path.

“Why did you let her bid, Abigail?” Baron questioned.

“You know why, Baron. We need to know how they will be able to pay for it, and I know how exactly they will pay for it. Just wait, Baron…”