Chapter 29
During the days Jessa was recovering from her injuries, I finally had some peace and quiet.
Without her causing drama, everything went smoothly for me.
I started going to the office, and my workspace was right next to Nola's.
Everyone thought I was her newly hired secretary, and I liked this hidden identity.
Just like how Levi and I had never gone public all these years - I was used to it.
I had just stopped to take a sip of coffee when my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Ms. Blair Ember. This is NobleBid Auction House. The jewelry you designed has been selected as one of our auction items."
"My design?"
I was confused - I hadn't had time to work on any design drafts recently.
"Yes, we look forward to meeting you tonight."
"Wait, you said tonight? I didn't sign up for this." I was totally baffled.
"Um, we did get your number quite late, so the timing is a bit rushed, but we hope you can arrange your schedule and try to come."
I was completely lost. I didn't have anything that could be auctioned. My previous designs had already been done in collaboration with Elliot.
After a few more polite words, they hung up.
Just as I was puzzling over this, Nola knocked and came in.
"Got the call, right? I gave them my number before, and I just gave them yours." Nola was beaming.
I was still confused.
"Are you going tonight? Let's see if anyone has an eye for talent and bids on your design."
I got up and walked over to her, putting my hands on her shoulders. "Miss Skye, please explain in detail."
"Your graduation design - didn't you scrap one version? I thought it was a shame back in school, so I had someone make it recently."
Nola pointed at the company logo. "It's costing us a fortune now. If someone bids on it, you'd better invest all the money back into the company."
Now I understood - Nola had arranged all this.
"The scrapped one wasn't worth anything. It's not good enough."
Nola rolled her eyes at me. "Can you have some confidence? Being selected by NobleBid Auction House means it's worth a fortune."
I was really impressed to have a friend who believed in me this much. Since she'd already done so much work, I couldn't let her down tonight.
"Alright then, let's go check it out. Maybe we'll meet some big shots."
"Smart thinking."
We both laughed heartily. Life working hard together with a good friend was just wonderful.
The auction hall was packed with wealthy merchants.
People from all walks of life interested in jewelry collecting came, looking through catalogs and appreciating each item.
Nola and I sat to the side. Since my design was included, they'd specially arranged seats for us.
Then Jessa arrived at the venue with her arm linked through Levi's, and my heart gradually became unsettled.
Nola frowned. "Why is she everywhere? She brought your husband here to spend money."
My mood instantly dropped. What should have been a good thing lost all its appeal because of their arrival.
"Maybe I should just leave. It'll be awkward if we run into each other later." I was backing down.
Nola grabbed my arm. "Don't panic. If anyone should leave, it's them. What are you afraid of?"
I had to keep my head down, trying not to look in Levi's direction.
"Designer Blair!"
Jessa said it loudly enough that everyone turned to look.
"Levi, is this the Blair we know?"
Levi wasn't interested in any of this. He glanced over without saying anything.
"What good could she possibly design? She's just a secretary who doesn't know anything. Did she pull strings to get in?"
Jessa deliberately badmouthed me, trying to steer people away from my design.
"No collection value at all. I really don't know how such poor quality stuff got into such a high-end auction."
Levi coughed a couple of times lightly - probably his old illness hadn't fully healed.
Others chimed in, saying they weren't optimistic about my work either.
I already felt uncertain, and after hearing them, I became completely deflated. Nola kept comforting me, saying it was fine, that they just didn't know quality.
The auction had started. I wasn't interested in the other items - first, I didn't like collecting things, and second, I couldn't afford luxury items with my limited funds.
Soon it was my jewelry's turn.
"Next up, this piece is from a new designer..."
"Never heard of this person..."
"Looks too ordinary..."
I heard them whispering. Even though they maintained some level of class, you could tell they really looked down on it.
When the pink diamond ring was displayed, I was completely stunned.
Where did Nola find such a perfect diamond? Even I was moved - I wanted to bid on it myself.
"Blair, I really went all out. I figured if no one appreciated it, I'd just give it to you as a gift." Nola said proudly.
I instantly teared up. What had I done to deserve such an amazing friend?
"Levi, it actually looks pretty nice. It's probably not her design - maybe just someone with the same name." Even Jessa was impressed.
"You want it?" Levi asked her.
Jessa nodded like a robot. "Yes, yes, yes."
"500,000."
A wealthy lady raised her paddle, probably influenced by Jessa, thinking 500,000 was already quite a lot.
"550,000."
"600,000..."
I listened as the price kept climbing until Levi raised his paddle.
"1 million."
An unknown designer - did it have collection value? With Levi offering 1 million, everyone hesitated over whether to keep bidding.
Nola was speechless. "Honestly, girl, your man doesn't know quality either."
The auctioneer had already struck the gavel twice. If no one raised the bid, the ring would go to Levi, and if he gave it to Jessa, everyone would probably expect him to propose on the spot, right?
This was just my imagination, but I was afraid it might actually happen.
Jessa was thrilled, thinking Levi would soon give her such a wonderful gift.
Just as the auctioneer was about to strike the final time, suddenly his assistant stepped forward to stop him. "A high-level bidder has intercepted this item! No matter what anyone in the room bids, he'll buy it at a higher price."
I was truly flattered. Who would appreciate my design this much?
"Mr. Aiden Morgan is here."
Everyone turned their heads as Aiden appeared in the spotlight.
So it was him - he came in person to validate me.
When Levi saw Aiden arrive, he immediately stood up.
Jessa was even more flustered. She'd promised not to be with Levi anymore, and now the two of them were just awkwardly frozen there.
"Then this item goes to Mr. Aiden Morgan."
How much Aiden would ultimately pay was up to him to decide. Levi didn't bid again - competing with Aiden would have been inappropriate.
People gradually left. Nola and I prepared to leave, too.
I figured Aiden had already guessed I was this Blair. His public support gave me a huge boost of confidence.
If he hadn't shown up, would Levi have used that ring to propose to Jessa?