Chapter 10 A Game of Power
Valenticia's Pov:
The instant we locked eyes, it seemed to me like the surrounding crowd had disappeared. An odd tension hung in the air between us. But as quickly as our eyes met, he turned away, ending the moment.
I blinked, shaking off the moment and returning to the auction.
The auctioneer continued to announce bids, his voice filling the room. One after another, luxurious items were auctioned off — rare paintings, and exclusive jewelry, signed by historical figures.
Then one item caught my attention.
A diamond-encrusted watch.
Not just any watch — it was a one-of-a-kind rose gold Virtuoso, decorated with flawless diamonds and made by one of the world’s most renowned luxury watchmakers. Only three were made, making it a collector’s dream.
The item was unveiled and a murmur spread in the hall. Then the bidding began.
“Twenty million dollars.”
“Thirty million!”
“Fifty million.”
The numbers kept climbing.
I laughed as the elites of society clawed over it. A marker of wealth, of status.
Then, right before that bid was about to be finalized, I lifted my paddle.
“One hundred million dollars.”
The room froze in disbelief.
Gasps reverberated through the hall and the auctioneer briefly stopped, startled.
Everyone was looking at me with some eyes filled with admiration and some with jealousy.
“Going once … going twice … sold! To the young lady in the front row!”
A round of applause broke out, but I could tell some clapped in shock rather than celebration.
I took a step back and composed myself. I had to make my mark if I was going to enter this world as a leader.
And tonight, I had.
—
When the gala ended, I looked at my grandmother and smiled gently at her.
“Grandma, just stay here for a bit. I have to go pick up the watch.”
Her eyes shone with quiet pride as she nodded approvingly. “Take your time, my dear.”
I went backstage, where the auctioned items were being passed out to their proud new owners. The hallways behind the main hall were lit only by scattered lamps and lined with velvet curtains and heavy wooden doors that led to private quarters.
I walked towards the collection room. Then, right when I turned a corner, i bumped into someone hard.
I stepped back, to readjust myself, and looked up.
My face immediately went hard.
Gregor.
My cousin.
He crossed his arms, wearing an expensive navy blue suit, with a smug look on his face.
He laughed quickly and softly. “Well, well… what do we have here?”
I said nothing, just stared at him.
Gregor cocked his head with mock curiosity.
“You’re here too? ""That’s funny,” I said, “I didn’t see you at all that night.”
I recognized that tone all too well.
Mockery.
Gradually, I adjusted my stance, my lips creasing into a shallow smile that hardly reached my eyes.
“And?” I asked, smooth but edged in my voice.
Gregor raised an eyebrow.
I stepped further into the room, unshakable. “Aren’t I supposed to be here?”
I watched the cold smile depart Gregor’s lips, replaced by something unreadable.
He had been like this since I met him. False smiles, hollow platitudes, a mask of politeness worn at all times. But no matter how well he acted in his role, I had never had the urge to trust him — not ever since that very first meeting.
He always had something about him that was off.
And tonight, I saw it again.
My head tilted slightly, and I observed his fingers twitching at his sides and he forced himself to relax. He immediately straightened his face into polite indifference, but I had seen the flicker of annoyance in him before he could conceal it.
Interesting.
Gregor cleared his throat and put on his stoniest expression. “Did Granny bring you here?” he asked, as if it didn’t matter much.
I held his gaze. “Yes,” I answered simply.
All of a sudden, his whole face changed.
His face darkened.
It occurred so fast that if I hadn’t been watching so closely I would have missed it.
But I didn’t miss it.
For a brief second, there was something dangerous in Gregor’s eyes, something raw. His jaw visibly clenched, as though he were struggling to maintain his composure.
And it was at this moment that an idea I had been trying to dismiss for so long returned to my thoughts.
Something I felt I couldn’t bear to admit because… it felt like a lot.
I stepped back.
Could it be… him?
No.
No, it couldn’t be.
I pushed the thought aside, not letting it settle in my mind.
Instead, I gave Gregor a polite little nod and turned away. But then, right as I stepped forward, something clicked.
Before I could stop myself, I turned back around and looked him directly in the eyes.
“Cousin,” I said breezily, trying to sound casual.
“I had an accident recently. Didn’t you know?”
Gregor’s steps came to a dead stop.
The stiffness was electric; his torso locked. Finally, he turned around to look at me.
His eyes were cold.
“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice unnervingly steady.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
That reaction…
There was something off about it.
I craned my neck at him, eyeing him critically. He was stiff, unbending, but there was an edge to his voice — as if he was working too hard to sound dispassionate.
For a split second, I was silent.
Then, I smiled.
“Nothing,” I said lightly.
Gregor’s face froze.
His jaw clenched as he gazed at me, his expression inscrutable.
Seconds passed, and I waited to see what he would say.
Then, after a long silence, he laughed in a forced manner and got himself together.
“Oh! "True,” he said, shaking his head as if laughing. “Sorry, I’ve been busy.”
His voice was smooth once more, the mask of his slipping into place.
But I didn’t miss the hesitation.
Gregor nonchalantly shoved his hands into his pockets in a haughty posture. “You know, I take care of everything at the company…” he said, proudly, as though it were something to admire.
Then suddenly he clicked his tongue and batted at his head.
“Oh! "Sorry,” he said with a smirk. “My bad — you don’t know anything about business.”
He meant to belittle me with his words.
To show me that I was nothing in his eyes.
I stared at him, unfazed.
Then, slowly, I smiled.
“Yes,” I admitted smoothly. “I don’t know about it.”
Gregor had a smug expression as if he had won some unseen battle.
But then—
Taking a step nearer, I spoke in a voice that was calm but felt strong.
“But I am going to be taking over the company soon.”
Gregor’s smirk vanished.
As I continued, his whole body stiffened.
“And when that time arrives… there will be a need for your guidance.”
I tilted my head a little, mockingly.
Then, with a courteous smile, I added, glibly—
“Thanks in advance, cousin.”
Gregor said nothing.
He was just standing there looking at me.
His fists clenched inside his pockets.
I smirked.
Then I turned on my heels and walked away, without waiting for his answer.
But as I walked, a silent understanding dawned in my head.
So that’s how this is…