Chapter 35 Brand Owner
"And this beautiful necklace goes to Mr. Blake. This is the highest bid of the evening so far. Not only that, but this is one of the most expensive items ever auctioned at this Gala."
Everyone applauded and began guessing the brand. They would have assumed it was from Sparks, but their necklace had already sold out.
"Ladies and gentlemen,... the Black Heart from the Autumn Collection. Congratulations to the Autumn Collection on their first bid at this Gala."
"Omg, Crystal... it's from the Autumn Collection. No doubt, it's gorgeous. It's the best of them." Catherine exclaimed, excitedly.
Crystal smiled from ear to ear as well. A girl delivered the necklace to Blake's table. Xander told her to give the necklace to Crystal. Everyone started murmuring about Xander's romantic gesture. He placed such a high bid for his fiancee. Everyone knew that if Xander set his eyes on something, he would definitely get it. They thought Crystal was lucky to have him.
"Thank you, Xander." Crystal gave him a side hug.
"Congratulations. You wanted a Autumn Collection jewelry, and you got it." Margaret said.
They all looked at the necklace in awe. It was a stunning necklace with a black heart-shaped diamond.
The bidding continued, and everyone returned their attention to the auction. Xander's gaze shifted to the Watson table and he noticed a unique scene there. Everyone smiled and congratulated Ariadne. They looked ecstatic. Xander frowned, doubting something. He looked at Jose and spoke something into his ear. Catherine nudged Crystal, signaling her to look at Ariadne. When Ariadne looked at them, they both smirked in victory. However, she didn't appear sad; rather, she looked happy. Xander didn't pay attention to them as he was on his phone with a serious expression. He excused himself and exited the hall with Jose. Anyone could take a break from the auction at anytime, and Xander wasn't one to sit through the entire auction. As he left, Crystal and Catherine began talking.
"What they are smiling about? As if they have won the bid." Catherine whispered mockingly in Crystal's ear.
"She's just trying to look strong." Crystal stated.
She refused to believe that, the fact that Xander had given her a necklace worth a hundred million dollars wouldn't hurt her.
"You know what? It's good that she has attended the auction. Now, she's witnessing it with her own eyes rather than hearing about it in the news." she smirked with satisfaction.
The highest bidded necklace in the second set was also from the Autumn Collection. It was a necklace with heart-shaped black diamonds paired with white diamonds. The Steeles bought it for fifty five million dollars. In the third set, Margaret won a heart-shaped purple diamond ring at thirty million which was from Autumn Collection.
The first half had ended, and it was time for a break. Xander did not return as he went straight to his room. The resort was large, so each family was given their own rooms to rest in. Everyone proceeded to their assigned rooms. Some women came to congratulate Crystal on receiving the most expensive necklace of the evening as a gift from Xander. They all began to pay her more attention after the auction. While others were busy chatting about the items, Ariadne and her family went straight to their assigned rooms to rest.
After the break, everyone returned to the auction hall and took their seats. However, all eyes were drawn to Ariadne and her family when they sat at the empty table.
"Shameless people!" Margaret remarked with a disgusted expression.
She assumed Ariadne and her family sat at the table because it was empty.
"By the way, whose table is that?" she asked.
"No idea." Crysral replied.
"By any chance, is it their table?" Catherine asked.
"Impossible." Margaret and Crystal said at the same time.
They looked at each other, frowning, as they pondered Catherine's question.
The auction began, and everyone focused on the beautiful bracelet on the screen.
"The starting price for this bracelet is one million."
Ariadne was the first to raise the paddle.
"Miss Ariadne Miller, one million."
Everyone looked at Ariadne.
"She's one of the main guests! How?" Crystal asked in disbelief.
The emcee would only say the names of the heads of each family. Other family members and additions didn't count. Since the emcee took Ariadne's name, she was one of the main guests. They even gave her a table in the front. Crystal clenched her teeth.
"Two million, Mr. Gill."
Another businessman placed a bid. Ariadne raised the paddle again.
"So the beggar actually has money.. huh." Margaret remarked.
Crystal and Catherine smirked, while Xander frowned at his mother.
"What? Isn't it suspicious that she's a main guest and is bidding on an expensive bracelet?"
She was implying that Ariadne must have a sugar daddy because a normal CEO like her wouldn't be able to attend the Gala as a main guest. She was also bidding on an item. Xander shook his head and focused on the bidding, ignoring his mother's remark.
"Fifteen million goes once, Fifteen million goes twice..... sold. Miss Ariadne Miller has won the bid for this beautiful bracelet from Sparks."
Everyone looked at Ariadne, not knowing which noble family she belonged to. They had never heard her name. The four women glared at Ariadne and her family with hostility. They expected her to fail to win the bid, but she proved them wrong. Xander's lips lifted slightly from the corner at Autumn's excitement when a girl delivered the bracelet to their table. Ariadne fulfilled her promise to her daughter. Seeing their happy faces, he felt strange once again, and averted his gaze.
In the fourth set, the bracelet from the Autumn Collection was sold for fourteen million to a foreign businessman. It was a gorgeous bracelet featuring blue heart-shaped diamonds.
Set four ended, and the fifth and final set began. Autumn Collection raised the most money thus far. Emma won a pendant from this set. The auction reached it's conclusion with the final item up for auction. Autumn was enthusiastic throughout the set as it was the pendant she designed.
"And now, we come to the final item of the evening. Let's have a look."
The platform rose, and the pendant became visible.
"What makes this pendant unique is that it was designed by a four-year-old girl. Can you believe it?"
Everyone gasped in disbelief as they admired the pendant. It was a heart-shaped red diamond pendant. Everyone was aware by now that the Autumn Collection's theme for the Gala was heart, because each piece featured diamonds in the shape of hearts and was exquisite in it's own right.
"The starting price for this pendant is one million."
The bid started. Xander looked at Autumn, who was excitedly watching the bidders. Every time someone raised the paddle, she let out a wow. Crystal noticed Xander looking at Ariadne's table and initiated a conversation to divert his attention.
"Ten million once, Ten million twice..... sold."
Autumn clapped her hands when the item sold.
"This beautiful pendant from Autumn Collection goes to the Harvard family. And with it, Autumn Collection became the brand that raised the most money at this Gala. Congratulations to them.
I would like to summon that little angel to the stage to present the pendant to it's new owner."
The emcee announced. Autumn was surprised and looked at her mother, who nodded with a smile.
"Please welcome.... Autumn Miller, the daughter of the owner of the Autumn Collection, Miss Ariadne Miller."
The emcee announced, and a light illuminated Ariadne's table. Everyone looked at them. The announcement gave Crystal, Emma, Margaret, and Catherine the biggest shock of their lives. Their jaws dropped and they were speechless. Aaron's eyes welled up with pride, as he smiled and applauded for his daughter and her family. Xander appeared emotionless, as usual. Murmurs echoed throughout the auction hall as the identity of the mysterious owner of the Autumn Collection was revealed. Autumn stood up and approached the stage, confidently.
"Aawww. She's so cute."
Everyone applauded her.
"The brand is named after her. Such a lovely little girl."
Mr. Harvard also went to the stage, and Autumn handed him the pendant. He said something to her and touched her head before exiting the stage.
"Now, I would like to invite Miss Ariadne Miller to the stage to accept the special gift."
Ariadne went to the stage and received a gift for being the evening's top brand, raising a total of two hundred and nine million dollars. The emcee left her at the podium to deliver a speech, and Ariadne took over with Autumn by her side. Crystal looked around the hall and noticed everyone praising them.
"Good evening, everyone. I hope you all had a great evening. I would like to thank everyone, especially the families who bid on our items, and congratulate those who won. I am very happy to participate in one of the most prestigious Galas of all time. I appreciate the love you have all shown us over the years.... As you are all aware, our workshop and showroom are situated in Purple City. Many people have asked me to expand our showroom to other cities, as they are unable to purchase our products because we don't have showrooms in those cities. I want all of our admirers to understand that we genuinely want to reach every customer. However, some things take time, and we are doing our best to resolve all issues. And here, I am pleased to announce that we will soon open our showroom in Zavion City, which will include it's own workshop."
Everyone was ecstatic hearing the announcement. Zavion City was a big market, and many people wanted the Autumn Collection to have a showroom there. Ariadne finished her speech and joined her family at the table.
After a while, the auction was declared over, and everyone scattered around the hall to chat with one another. Ariadne became the topic of discussion, and every family came to speak with her and her family.
"So this's the mysterious owner of the Autumn Collection. She's beautiful."
"She's young. I assumed she would be older. Such a talented woman and a talented daughter."
Everyone complimented them.
However, four people were seething with rage and disbelief while witnessing all of this.
"Looks like some people's evening has been ruined. Oops! So sad."