Chapter 57 Sabrina's Boyfriend
"Mr. Harrington, Ms. Rosewood, we're here."
Miles brought the car to a smooth stop. I tilted my head and glanced at Nicholas, who hadn't moved an inch. He was still leaning on my shoulder. His fluttering lashes gave away his current state—he was totally faking it.
Without ceremony, I cupped his face with one hand and straightened his head. "Nicholas, I know you're awake."
Miles seemed to shift in the front seat. From the corner of my eye, I caught him repeatedly glancing back, apparently fascinated by our interaction. Next thing I knew, I spotted him quietly pulling out his phone. Was he trying to sneak a photo?
Before I could think much about it, a flash of white light suddenly went off. He must not be great with phones at his age and forgot to turn off the flash.
I looked up and met the glowing camera lens directly. Pretty hard to pretend I didn't notice that.
Miles gave me a sheepish smile and quickly tucked away his phone, sitting up straight. His shoulders and neck had gone rigid—he looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
The Harrington family was supposed to be this prominent family, yet even their older staff members were this... unstable?
That's what I thought, anyway. But I still put on a gracious smile. "Miles, don't be nervous. Take all the photos you want."
Miles's rigid posture visibly relaxed. Even his breathing eased—he looked like he'd just dodged a bullet. When he turned around again, the camera was pointed at Nicholas and me. Smart this time—he'd turned off the flash.
I sat up straight and let him take a couple shots. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Nicholas had "woken up" and was watching our interaction with amusement.
"Time to get out."
Nicholas's timely reminder. I shot him a grateful look—thanks for the rescue. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Miles, I finally opened the door and got out.
Nicholas hadn't introduced Miles earlier, but seeing how he'd been observing us the whole ride, it wasn't hard to figure out he was one of the Harrington family's longtime staff. Word of today would reach them soon enough. Acting coy would be pointless and might even leave a bad first impression. After all, those photos definitely wouldn't be their first glimpse of me.
"Let's go." Nicholas came around from the other side and stopped beside me.
I nodded and we walked side by side toward the auction house. We'd barely reached the entrance when Nicholas's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered. "What is it?"
"Mr. Harrington, is now a good time? The company has an urgent matter that requires your decision."
I tactfully stepped back. "You handle that. I'll head inside first."
Nicholas nodded and walked toward an empty area nearby. I turned away and headed into the venue.
"Catherine?"
A familiar voice called from behind. I froze. I wanted to pretend I hadn't heard and keep walking, but the next second, someone grabbed my arm.
I turned around reluctantly, forced to face that repulsive face. How did she see right through me? I couldn't help feeling annoyed.
Sabrina withdrew her hand and naturally looped her arm through her companion's. Following her movement, my gaze landed on the man.
"And this is?" I raised an eyebrow.
Since I couldn't avoid it, might as well see what Sabrina was trying to start now.
Sabrina tilted her chin up slightly, her posture rather haughty. "Catherine, this is my boyfriend, Edward Johnson."
"Ms. Rosewood." Edward's expression was indifferent, but he still gave me a polite greeting.
Looking closer, I could see his arm positioned awkwardly, as if he were deliberately keeping distance from Sabrina.
Sabrina's boyfriend? Yet he seemed to want nothing to do with her.
The pieces slowly clicked into place. This was the rich kid who'd made that deal with Sabrina. They must have agreed to keep up appearances in public, putting on this little show. But Edward didn't want to betray his actual love, so he was barely restraining himself.
Had Sabrina come specifically to show off? I couldn't figure it out. But I couldn't let her get the upper hand right from the start.
"Mr. Johnson." I gave him a slight smile—greeting exchanged.
Sabrina's delicate brows furrowed. After years as rivals, I knew exactly what she was thinking. She wasn't satisfied with my reaction.
I sneered internally. Did she expect me to act shocked and stare at her with envy?
"Huh, you came to the auction alone?" Sabrina made a show of looking around. "Where's Nicholas? He didn't come with you? Aren't you two usually joined at the hip?"
She deliberately emphasized that last part.
I couldn't quite figure out her game. Was she trying to show off? Or probe whether I had backup today?
I wasn't about to take this lying down. "Sabrina, that's my personal business. Don't see why I'd need to report it to you. What about you? Since when are you interested in antiques? Or are you like me—noticed some of today's auction items had familiar names and came to check them out?"
I stared at her with a half-smile.
Sabrina unconsciously took a step back, clearly rattled. She instinctively tightened her grip on Edward's arm. I watched Edward frown, pat her hand as if to comfort her, but actually pry her fingers off.
Sabrina's expression turned ugly. I'd all but told her directly: I know you stole the Rosewood family antiques to sell.
Sabrina bit her lip and forced out a smile. "Catherine, I'm just here with my boyfriend. As for what's being auctioned today? I have no idea."
She looked me up and down. "What about you? Got the spare cash to actually buy anything at an auction? Talk about biting off more than you can chew. What were you even thinking? None of the brothers have mentioned you lately. If you hadn't cut ties with the Rosewood family, maybe you could've begged Andrew for some pocket money."
Sabrina's tone dripped with sarcasm, her words cutting. But her fingers trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly. What wasn't there to understand? Sabrina was just putting on a brave front.
Just as I was about to respond, a cold laugh came from behind me.
Nicholas's tall frame naturally stepped in front of me. "Catherine has me as her backing. No need for you to concern yourself, Ms. Kingley. As for the Rosewood family—can they even afford to give you an allowance when they can barely keep themselves afloat?"
Nicholas didn't mince words, directly calling out the Rosewood Group's current cash flow crisis.
I watched Sabrina's face go from white to green like a color wheel. I couldn't help finding it amusing.
I tugged on Nicholas's sleeve. "The auction's about to start. Let's head in."
Nicholas nodded.
We'd just turned to leave when I caught Sabrina pinching Edward. Beyond that initial greeting, he'd shown zero interest in getting involved in our back-and-forth. Now, receiving Sabrina's signal, he frowned almost imperceptibly but still chose to speak up.
"Mr. Harrington, Ms. Rosewood, wait a moment."
I took it all in, already planning how to share this with Melissa later.
"Yes?"