Chapter 27
Michael pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately again, his voice filled with uncontrollable joy.
"Then I really appreciate you giving me this chance." As he spoke, he even lifted me up and spun me around a few times.
I had no idea why Michael was so easily satisfied. Maybe it was his love for me.
The weekend came quickly.
My mom's assistant also handed me the invitation before the event.
Since it was a charity gala, I didn't plan to dress too flashy. I just chose a regular formal dress.
When it was about time, I had the driver take me.
But just as the car left my villa, someone blocked the road.
I recognized Michael's car right away.
Seeing I was about to leave, he got out and invited me. "Dear, interested in going together?"
Although it was a question, Michael never really gave me the option to refuse.
I opened the car door, took his arm, and replied with a smile, "Of course."
Michael and I sat together in the back seat of his car.
As soon as we sat down, Michael reminded me, "Mr. Nicholas Jackson will be at today's charity auction too."
Hearing this, I immediately became serious and quickly asked, "Really? How do you know?"
The Smith Group focused on jewelry, and Nicholas happened to be an expert in this field. If we could get his help, it would only benefit the Smith Group.
Michael held my hand and said mysteriously, "Secret."
Seeing he didn't plan to tell me, I didn't push it.
What I was thinking about now was how to get to know Nicholas.
Nicholas had a strange personality. He didn't usually interact with people and especially disliked flattery. Ordinary tricks wouldn't work on him.
Just as I was thinking about this, the car stopped at the entrance of the auction venue.
There were already quite a few luxury cars parked at the entrance, presumably all here for the auction.
After the car stopped smoothly, Michael got out first, then like a gentleman, walked around to the other side and opened the door for me.
We arrived hand in hand. Even though I was dressed low-key today, standing next to Michael, I still became the center of attention.
Many guests saw us arrive and immediately looked our way.
Seeing us so close, there were even some whispers of speculation in the venue.
I scanned the room briefly and spotted two familiar faces.
I didn't expect Susan and Ella to be here too.
Seeing me arrive, they both came over to me.
"Nancy, how come you're here too?" Susan spoke first. She seemed to be talking to me, but her eyes never left Michael.
Noticing her intentions, I replied coldly, "Do I need to report to you wherever I go?"
Seeing my bad attitude, Ella stood up for Susan. "Nancy, Susan is just concerned about you. Isn't it a bit too much for you to talk like that?"
When saying this, Ella deliberately raised her voice, as if trying to attract the attention of others present.
Ella always loved playing these little tricks.
Today I represented the Smith family. I didn't have time to play along with her act.
"Mind your own business and stay out of mine." As soon as I finished speaking, I directly took Michael's arm and walked around them.
After I left, I could still faintly hear them grinding their teeth, but none of that mattered.
After entering the venue, I discovered that Michael and I were seated together, even in the first row.
Seeing his calm expression, I immediately understood that he had arranged all of this.
This charity gala was mainly about donations and auctions.
It was said to be contributing to charity, but in reality, it was just using this gimmick to lay some groundwork for future collaborations.
This was an unspoken secret in the circle.
I had attended this charity auction in my previous life, but back then I was completely focused on John and didn't take the company seriously, so I just went through the motions.
But today was different. Nicholas was the organizer of the charity auction. No matter what, I had to win tonight's top bid to get a chance for Nicholas to remember me.
The charity auction officially began.
I brought up the vase I had prepared in advance.
At the same time, Susan and Ella also brought an antique vase. The vase they brought looked seventy to eighty percent similar to mine.
I instinctively frowned. I didn't believe in such coincidences. It was obviously a setup by the two of them to embarrass me.
On the surface, I remained calm, but I discreetly observed their vase.
If I remembered correctly, in my previous life, Susan came to the auction with me, and she had prepared the donation for me.
And what she prepared was exactly the vase they were now holding.
Later, I became the laughingstock of the circle because that donation was found to be a fake.
I asked Susan what happened at the time, but she cried and told me she was deceived and didn't know.
At the time, I thought our relationship was good and she wouldn't harm me, so I believed what she said.
I remembered this vase vividly because it constantly reminded me of my stupidity back then.
Before I could speak, Susan and Ella took the initiative to introduce the vase in their hands to Nicholas.
The two talked at length, deliberately claiming the vase was an antique to raise its price.
Listening to their pretentious talk, I couldn't help but click my tongue.
"Don't you even draft your lies? Trying to fool Mr. Jackson with a fake?" My voice rang out, and both of them froze for two seconds. Susan was the first to react.
Susan put on a wronged expression and apologized to me pretentiously. "Nancy, I know I've upset you recently. It's all my fault, but you can't talk nonsense on this occasion."
I sneered and said mercilessly, "You're not even worth a second glance from me. I'm just telling the truth."
For a moment, the guests below started discussing.
The biggest taboo at a charity auction was deceiving people with fakes.
"You... you can't say that without evidence!" Susan stammered in refutation, her tone betraying a guilt she didn't even notice herself.
I casually glanced at the vase in her hand and, using my memories from my previous life, pointed out the problems.
"Your so-called antique vase has obvious signs of artificial aging, and even the seal at the bottom is problematic. Anyone who knows their stuff can see it."
Hearing my words, Susan instinctively looked at the bottom of the vase.
And at that moment, Nicholas spoke up. "The rules of the charity auction need no explanation. Ms. Taylor, since you're not sincere, then I'm sorry."
After speaking, Nicholas signaled security to throw both Susan and Ella out.
In an instant, their actions became the laughingstock of the auction.
And I stood on stage, my eyes inadvertently meeting Michael's.
I clearly saw that when he looked at me, his eyes were filled with unstoppable pride.