Chapter 62: A Sapphire Necklace
Nicole's POV
"But I might need to trouble you a bit longer, to stay by Mark's side for a while."
Julie nodded. "I understand. What do you need me to do?"
"You need to pretend you know nothing. Once Mark gets that watch from Wendy, you'll steal it from him and bring it to me."
"And then?"
At the thought of freedom being so close, Julie's eyes couldn't help but light up with anticipation.
"Don't worry, Wendy will take care of the rest for us."
Once Wendy realized she'd been tricked and that Mark had slept with her for nothing, she definitely wouldn't let him off easily.
I wanted to use her to completely eliminate Mark, this troublesome pest.
Julie said "Okay," indicating she fully understood my plan.
"Go on, be careful." I told her.
After Julie left, I straightened my clothes and returned to Alexander building, entering the auction venue.
The venue was still bustling.
The host was holding the microphone, enthusiastically introducing the next category.
I avoided the crowd, found an inconspicuous corner seat, and flipped through the auction catalog, quickly locking onto my target: a sapphire necklace.
The description in the catalog was simple.
The main stone was a large cornflower blue sapphire, surrounded by a circle of small diamonds, with a vintage design style.
I put down the catalog and sat waiting.
The preceding items, including antique paintings and precious jewelry, all faced fierce competition.
I never raised my paddle.
Finally, the host's voice rang out again: "Next, we present one of the heavyweight items of this auction... this cornflower blue sapphire necklace! Starting bid is three million dollars, with a minimum increment of one hundred thousand dollars."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone in the audience immediately raised their paddle.
"Three million one hundred thousand."
"Three million two hundred thousand."
The price climbed slowly. Just as it was about to break through three million five hundred thousand, I finally raised my paddle.
"Four million."
This sudden jump in price caused the continuous bidding rhythm to pause.
A lady sitting in the front row slowly turned her head, her gaze sweeping over my unremarkable dress, a trace of contempt flashing in her eyes, before she raised her paddle again.
"Four million one hundred thousand."
"Four million two hundred thousand." I followed without hesitation.
A subtle commotion rippled through the venue, and people began to curiously study me.
I had to get this necklace.
The bidding continued, and when the price climbed to four million eight hundred thousand, the competitors gradually dropped out, leaving only me and that lady in the front row.
She stared at me for a few seconds, then raised her paddle again.
"Four million nine hundred thousand!"
Another guest who had been hesitating nearby completely lowered their paddle upon seeing this.
I raised my paddle again: "Five million."
This was all the money I had.
This time, the lady didn't immediately raise her paddle.
She turned to study me carefully for a moment, her brow furrowing.
"Five million once! Five million twice! Five million three times! Sold!"
I breathed a sigh of relief.
The crisp sound of the gavel echoed through the venue, and a smile appeared on the host's face.
"Congratulations to this lady for successfully winning this sapphire necklace!"
Staff quickly brought the packaged necklace to me.
I took the box, didn't linger, and left Alexander building directly by taxi.
Hodgson would never expect that I actually knew about Derek.
Ever since Vera woke up, I had already investigated the Percy family's situation thoroughly.
The current head of the Percy family was Molly's father, Brian Percy.
He had two children, his eldest son Derek and his youngest daughter Molly, but they didn't share the same mother.
Derek's mother had died in an accident when he was young, and afterward Brian married Molly's mother.
The sapphire necklace I had just won was actually a relic of Derek's biological mother.
Before planning to have Mark deceive Wendy, I had checked the background of this auction house and its item list, and had happened to learn about this necklace and the story behind it.
Having Mark return that five million dollars was all within my calculations.
That bastard, don't even think about getting a single cent from me!
Returning to the Gerald family villa, I immediately locked the sapphire necklace in the safe in my room.
This necklace was the key item for me to approach Derek and gain his trust.
I didn't take any action for the next few days.
I still lacked one crucial opportunity.
How could I naturally and smoothly approach Percy Group again?
I had a falling out with Emily because of Ethan, so I couldn't ask Molly for help anymore.
Just as I was worrying about this, the opportunity came knocking on its own.
Shier came to the Gerald villa.
Wendy hadn't gotten the money to pay him back yet, so his expression was still terrible when he saw me.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Get in the car." He urged impatiently.
From him, I learned that it was Mr. Barry who had ordered him to pick me up for a banquet.
Today, Hall Group and Percy Group would officially announce their partnership.
In Barry's eyes, I was already considered a member of the Hall family.
For such a grand occasion, I needed to attend as Shier's companion.
The car stopped at the entrance of the city's most prestigious hotel.
After entering the banquet hall, I immediately spotted Derek in the crowd.
He was holding a glass of wine, chatting with several business figures.
He looked just like his photos, tall and handsome.
Hodgson was also at the scene, standing not far from Derek, similarly surrounded by a group of people.
But now, my attention was no longer on Hodgson.
My mind was racing, thinking: How could I attract Derek's attention?
Just then, the lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed, and a spotlight hit the stage in the center of the hall.
Barry, holding a microphone and wearing a smile, stood at the center of the stage.
He first thanked all the guests for coming.
"Today, on behalf of Hall Group, I officially announce a deep partnership with Percy Group."
The guests below applauded in congratulations, and the atmosphere reached a climax.
However, Barry didn't seem ready to end his speech.
He raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.
After the applause subsided, Barry's smile grew even brighter.
"Today is a day worth celebrating. In addition to the corporate partnership, I have another piece of good news to announce."
"My son Hodgson will soon be officially engaged to Miss Molly Percy!"