Chapter 28
Seeing his gaze, I smiled at him and then generously introduced the donation items I had brought.
Throughout the whole process, I could feel Michael's eyes never leaving me.
After my donation was displayed for auction, Michael was the first to raise his paddle and bid.
I was surprised by his action.
But he looked completely calm about it.
Then I realized - he came here specifically to back me up.
With Michael's bid, others also made their offers.
After several rounds of bidding, the items I brought had doubled in value.
Seeing it was about right, Michael raised the price again, offering the highest bid of the evening.
And with Michael's support, I naturally won this round of bidding.
At this charity gala, I got some attention.
After the dinner ended, Michael drove me home.
On the way, I couldn't help but complain playfully, "I know you're rich, but you can't just throw money around like that."
Even as I said this, I couldn't hide the smile on my face.
Seeing through my thoughts, Michael gently pinched my cheek and apologized, "My fault. I just couldn't control myself when I saw it was your stuff. I promise I won't be so impulsive next time. Please forgive me."
Michael wasn't being serious, so I wasn't going to make a big deal out of it. "I just feel bad about your money. That thing isn't worth a million dollars at all, and you deliberately drove up the price."
The donated vase was originally a collectible I bought from a private seller for just over a hundred thousand dollars, and it had just been sitting at home as decoration.
I only brought it because I really had nothing else to donate to the charity auction.
I never expected this idiot, Michael, would buy it at ten times the price, and all just for my sake.
If this money could go straight into my pocket, I wouldn't care about losing my face at all.
But Michael suddenly got serious. "Nancy, the item isn't worth that price, but you are - and it's still not enough. I'm not buying the auction item, I'm buying your happiness. I don't want to see anyone look down on you."
Seeing his sincere expression, I didn't know what to say for a moment.
His reason was indeed hard to argue with.
"But..."
Seeing I wanted to continue, Michael raised his hand and covered my lips.
"Alright, a little money to make you happy is worth it. Nancy, you need to get used to accepting how good I am to you."
With Michael putting it that way, I had no reason to keep dwelling on it.
The next day, as I was getting ready to go to work as usual, I was suddenly blocked by someone who rushed out.
I didn't react in time and got startled.
After seeing who was blocking my way, I got instantly angry.
I didn't know what John was going crazy about now - he had actually run out of the hospital.
Whatever the reason, I had no good attitude toward him.
I looked at John with disgust and said impatiently, "Move. Don't waste my time."
But John got anxious and quickly asked me to confirm, "Nancy, you're getting married to Michael, right?"
Hearing his words, I just felt it was ridiculous. "It's none of your business."
I was in a hurry to get to the company, so naturally, my tone wasn't good.
But John was even more clingy than I imagined. Even hearing me say this, he didn't plan to give up and kept pestering me.
"Nancy, why are you marrying him? Don't you love me? Let's start over. I neglected you before, but I won't anymore." As he spoke, John stepped forward trying to grab my hand.
Seeing through his intention, I stepped back and slapped away his outstretched hand.
Seeing him keep clinging to me, I was really annoyed. "Can you just get lost and never appear in front of me again? I'm really sick of looking at you. The past is over. Besides, you never loved me back then either. You just enjoyed the feeling of me chasing after you. Now what are you pretending to be, some devoted lover?"
I said everything on my mind.
But John wasn't affected at all. While I was talking, he stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.
His strength was great, and I couldn't break free right away.
I was so annoyed that I lifted my leg and kicked him right in the crotch.
John cried out in pain and cursed at me, "Nancy, you bitch, how dare you hit me."
John's eyes turned red as he came forward to hit me.
Fortunately, Linda appeared in time with a broom.
Seeing John, Linda didn't think twice and swung at him, hitting him while saying angrily, "Get lost! Don't come harassing Ms. Smith and Mr. Johnson's life. Ms. Smith is getting married soon, you bastard, and you're still trying to cause trouble at a time like this."
Linda's moves were quick and accurate. John got beaten and left in embarrassment.
Watching John get beaten away, I felt much better.
After thanking Linda, I went to the company and didn't think much more about this incident.
But as soon as I sat down in my office, my phone started ringing non-stop, like it was being bombed.
My phone kept dinging and donging. I thought there was some urgent matter, but after seeing the messages, my face instantly darkened.
The messages were from my family group chat - various elders questioning me.
The cause was an anonymous account that had thrown several photos into the family group.
The content was pictures of me and John in an unclear situation at my doorstep this morning.
The photos were taken secretly, but the ones posted were highly suggestive.
Before I could figure out where the photos came from, my mom knocked on my office door.
Seeing my mom come over, I understood - she had seen those photos too.
"Nancy, explain to me what's going on with those photos in the family group?"
I told her everything that happened, step by step.
My mom naturally believed me. After hearing my explanation, she didn't hide her disgust for John.
Not long after, Michael came to find me with a stack of printed photos.
The content was the same as what was posted in the family group.
I understood - this was meant to cause trouble between Michael and me.
I was about to explain to Michael when he pulled me away. "Come with me somewhere."
I was confused but still obediently followed him.
Until the car stopped at the Garcia Villa entrance.
"Why did you bring me here?" I looked at Michael in confusion.
But Michael's eyes were determined as he said in a deep voice, "To get an explanation."
Hearing his words, I immediately understood - the photos came from the Garcia family, and I didn't even need to think hard to know it was Ella's doing.
I followed behind Michael as we entered the Garcia Villa together.
At this time, Ella's parents weren't home. Only Ella was in the living room watching TV, looking quite comfortable.
When Ella saw us come in together, the smile on her face instantly disappeared, but she still tried to act calm. "Nancy, what are you doing here?"
Michael couldn't contain his anger anymore and threw the photos right in Ella's face. "Explain this."