Chapter 49
Bella instantly forgot all about Charlotte, her eyes lighting up slightly.
She'd heard that seats at the auction were first-come, first-served.
If she arrived early, she could sit next to Alexander when he showed up.
"Never mind, I'm going to pick out a dress! You keep an eye on Charlotte for me, don't let her cause any trouble at the company!"
With that, she turned and left.
By the time Charlotte finished handling the company's affairs, it was already time to get off work.
Daniel pulled her aside and asked, "You've been observing for a whole day now. The company has a lot of problems, doesn't it?"
Charlotte paused. "There are quite a few problems, but compared to operational issues, the people problems are even bigger."
Daniel was taken aback. "You mean Bella?"
"Not just her."
Charlotte felt it was too complicated to explain. "I'll write up a proposal when I get back. Starting tomorrow, just have the employees follow what's in the proposal."
"Good, good, good."
Daniel patted Charlotte's hand with relief. "I believe that with this company in your hands, under your management, it will definitely get better! But don't take Bella to heart. To me, she means nothing!"
He pursed his lips. "If her parents hadn't begged me back then to give her a job at the company, I wouldn't have put up with her until now. Don't worry, as the heir to this company, you'll have absolute authority over personnel decisions. Whatever you want to do, I'll support you unconditionally!"
Charlotte understood what Daniel meant and nodded slightly.
"Alright, I'll handle it. It won't be too late to clean house when necessary."
After sending Daniel back to rest, Charlotte received a phone call.
It was from Alexander.
She answered, and his voice came through with a hint of interest.
"Free to come to an auction?"
Charlotte was puzzled. "What auction?"
"A pretty decent private auction. There's something there you'd want."
Charlotte's lips curved slightly. "You're that confident? So sure I'll be interested in whatever this thing is?"
Alexander chuckled softly. "Logan's personal keyboard. I believe there isn't a hacker alive who wouldn't be interested in that, right?"
Charlotte's steps came to an abrupt halt.
Logan.
As the country's first hacker to win a gold medal at an international competition, he was their role model.
Charlotte had always admired Logan greatly. He was also the mentor who had once guided her.
No one knew that as Zero, she'd become a legend in so many people's eyes and stood out to earn so many people's respect because she'd received Logan's guidance.
She'd always respectfully called Logan her mentor. Unfortunately, after an accident, her mentor had disappeared without a trace.
She knew her mentor had passed away, but she'd never been able to believe it, never wanted to accept it.
Until this very moment, hearing that name again, Charlotte's usually calm eyes showed a flicker of emotion.
"Alright, I'll be there."
After hanging up, she gathered her thoughts and headed to the venue.
Meanwhile, at the auction venue, the auction hadn't officially started yet.
Everyone was either finding their seats or making small talk with acquaintances.
Bella had already dressed up carefully, wearing a deep blue gown and waiting eagerly.
Seeing Alexander being surrounded by several big shots from the investment world as he walked over, her eyes lit up and she hurried over.
"Mr. Harris."
Bella smiled brightly, extending her hand, her eyes full of admiration.
Alexander frowned and glanced at her. "You are?"
Bella froze, somewhat embarrassed. "You don't remember me? I'm with the White Group. We met at a reception last time."
She paused, then added, "Daniel is my uncle."
Only when Alexander heard Daniel's name did he react, nodding coolly and distantly. "Hello."
Seeing his attitude, Bella couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Alexander really was just like the rumors said—completely indifferent to women.
The assistant accompanying him saw this and quickly came over to smooth things over. "Mr. Harris is always like this. You know that. He's not singling you out—he's like this with everyone."
Bella bit her lip.
That might be true, but she'd dressed up so beautifully today, confident she outshone everyone else. There wasn't a single person at the venue more refined and attractive than her.
Was Alexander really so immune to women that he wouldn't even spare her a second glance?
Bella couldn't help feeling a vague sense of defeat.
Just then, an unremarkable figure appeared at the entrance to the venue.
Alexander caught sight of that figure, his expression changed, and he immediately dismissed the people around him to walk over.
"Isn't that Charlotte? What's she doing here?" The assistant noticed and pointed her out to Bella.
Bella was startled. Following his gesture, she saw that Charlotte had indeed arrived.
She was wearing an unremarkable black hoodie, walking leisurely toward them.
Alexander showed a smile he'd never shown anyone else.
"You're here."
Charlotte gave a light "mm" in response, her expression unchanged, and directly found a seat to sit down.
Alexander's gaze locked firmly on her as he followed closely and sat down beside her.
Not only was Bella stunned, but others began whispering too.
"What's going on? Mr. Harris is never interested in women and hard to approach. I've never seen him this enthusiastic about any woman."
"Right? Who is this woman?"
Charlotte felt uncomfortable being the subject of everyone's gossip and frowned, glancing at Alexander.
"Can you stop staring at me like that? It's like..."
She paused, seeming unsure how to put it.
Alexander asked with a half-smile, "Like what?"
Charlotte was at a loss for words. "Stop staring so intensely. Everyone's noticing."
"Noticing what?" Alexander continued playing dumb.
Charlotte had no response.
Alexander's smile became even more open. "Noticing that I'm interested in you?"
Charlotte had never met anyone with such thick skin. Rolling her eyes in exasperation, "Since you know, tone it down a bit."
"No, why should I tone it down?"
Alexander leaned closer to her. "I want everyone to know I'm interested in you. Very interested."
Charlotte's heart skipped a beat—a rare occurrence. She glared at him and snapped, "Are you done?"
"Not done."
Alexander smiled. "I'm just speaking my truth. Is that not allowed?"
"You..."
Before Charlotte could speak, a figure suddenly squeezed in front of them.
"What's Ms. Johnson's relationship with Mr. Harris? You two seem pretty close." Bella came over and smoothly sat down on Alexander's other side.
Charlotte met her probing gaze and easily saw through the jealousy in her heart.