Chapter46 Not a Threat

Chapter46 Not a Threat
"...You wouldn't actually, would you?!" Linnea gritted her teeth, hissing in a low voice. "Caius, don't push it!"
"Why not?" Caius countered.
Judging by his tone, he was annoyed he hadn't followed through on the idea!
Linnea stammered. "You really shouldn't do that."
She couldn't imagine how low a pervert like Caius would sink. If he wanted to do something, he'd do it immediately, no matter how irreversible the consequences.
"Then I suggest you don't provoke me," Caius shrugged carelessly. "Otherwise, I wouldn't mind using that humiliating method to punish you."
Linnea clamped her mouth shut. She was done talking to Caius! What a foul, lowlife man!
Vivienne finally reached their table. If she hadn't deliberately slowed her pace, pretending to be a lady, she might have overheard the sexually charged conversation and seen Caius's hand resting on his assistant's waist.
"I'm so glad you could make time to come. My parents will be very surprised and happy..."
Vivienne tried to get close to Caius. She didn't look surprised to see Linnea. She hadn't recognized Linnea as the stepsister she scorned.
Linnea felt a slight relief. This was what she expected.
She had always lived in the high-end villa her mother bought in the city center during her nightlife phase. That family wasn't familiar with her current, more mature look.
Yet, even with most of her face covered, her undisguised beauty and her extremely sexy, confident figure still drew Vivienne's jealous, hidden glances.
Who is she? Caius's date? No, how could that be? Wasn't Caius here to pick out a birthday gift with her for her father? How could he openly bring a date to this event...
Vivienne suppressed the turmoil inside, keeping a sweet smile plastered on her face. "Jax is busy greeting guests. He'll be over soon."
"No need," Caius immediately refused. "I don't want to be disturbed by anyone during the auction."
Vivienne could only agree.
She stood there for too long, and people started staring. Everyone knew this mysterious man was Vivienne's nominal husband, the feared head of the Thorne family.
Vivienne grew awkward.
"Caius, who is this next to you...?"
Linnea met her condescending gaze. She remained silent for a moment.
Caius answered concisely. "This is my secretary."
"Ah, the secretary, then. Madam, what should I call you?"
"Lina," Linnea used her fake name again, keeping her voice low and husky.
Caius raised an eyebrow, a flicker of something odd crossing his mind, but he didn't press. Maybe his kitten just didn't want to reveal her real name to his wife, preventing Vivienne from investigating her.
This happened to match his own preference. He didn't want anyone interfering with his "affair" with his kitten.
"Well then, Miss Lina, thank you for holding my seat for me," Vivienne smiled. "You can get up now."
Her seat?
Linnea glanced at the name card on the chair. It actually had Vivienne's name on it. She hadn't suspected anything because Caius had simply forced her to sit down. That despicable Caius! He was still trying to mess with her!
Caius conveniently turned back, briefly blocking Vivienne's line of sight, and met Linnea's eyes. Linnea shot him an angry glare.
Caius felt a little unfairly accused.
How would he have noticed a name card? Staff always respectfully ushered him to his seat.
"My apologies, I'll leave now." Linnea didn't want to start a public fight with Vivienne over something trivial.
But when she tried to stand, she couldn't move. That strong, muscular arm was once again wrapped tightly around her waist, preventing her from leaving.
...What is Caius doing?
Why was he holding her in such an intimate pose right in front of his wife?
Vivienne's face suddenly went rigid.
"I believe there are plenty of empty seats in the hall. Please find one elsewhere, okay? I need my secretary's assistance during the auction."
"...Who is she?" Vivienne lost her composure.
Caius, of course, didn't reply. He disdained talking to irrelevant people. He only gave clear commands.
Vivienne stared intensely at their bodies pressed together. She was furious, about to faint, but this was Caius, the man far beyond her reach. Maintaining the façade of being his wife was already a huge accomplishment, and she absolutely could not displease him.
"Fine," she forced a smile and steered the conversation toward the auction. "My father is interested in that amethyst crystal necklace. He wants to give it to my mother. It's her favorite color..."
Amethyst?
Linnea scoffed. That was definitely her mother's favorite color.
After Vivienne left, Caius pinched her waist. "Linnea, why are you looking scared again? Do you think I'd let her do anything to you?"
His words didn't calm Linnea down.
But why was Caius so sure Vivienne wouldn't harm her? Was it because his actions just now were too frivolous? He hadn't formally introduced her. Of course, that was partly because Linnea's identity was embarrassing, but it sent a clear message to Vivienne: Lina was just a casual bedmate and would pose no threat to her position as wife.
It was the same frustration she felt in his office that day.
So, in Caius's mind, she really wasn't that important, was she?
Linnea sulked, saying nothing.
Caius watched her cheeks puff out with anger again, and he kept quiet, worried he might burst out laughing. Dressed so alluringly yet making such an adorable face... it was too entertaining.
His only regret was that he couldn't actually do anything to her in public. Outside, he definitely had to save his little kitten some face.
The auction began. Caius released her.
The air conditioning blasted even colder into the hall. Linnea was only wearing a strapless gown.
She shivered, covered in goosebumps, and subconsciously glanced at Caius before quickly looking away. Should she ask Caius for help? He wouldn't be that kind.
Linnea endured the cold, hoping the auction would end quickly.
Finally, the amethyst crystal necklace was brought onto the stage.
"Starting bid, five hundred thousand!"
Linnea stared, her eyes wide with shock. It really did have a connection to her mother!
They were plagiarizing even this item? The audacity was sickening!
"Raise the paddle," Caius instructed her. "Buy it."
Linnea gripped the golden bidding paddle, pausing for a moment before asking him, "Are you really going to bid on this?"
And then give her mother's cherished item to that despicable family?!
"Why not?" Caius glanced at her. "Isn't that why I brought you here?"
Seeing her hesitate, Caius reached for the paddle to bid himself.
But Linnea grabbed his fingers.
The soft, warm touch of her hand stopped him.
Caius paused, watching her pursed lips and her look of hesitation. He wanted to say something, but held back.
Finally, Linnea looked resigned, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"But I like it too."
"Caius, I want this necklace."