billion book
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 The Charity Banquet (3)
“Mr. Scott, your fiancée is absolutely stunning. You should always keep a watchful eye on her.”
Laurel’s expression changed slightly.
She thought, “This guy.
He really has no fear of making a scene.”
Bruno looked at Hayden’s back contemptuously and said, “A wastrel.”
Laurel pursed her lips.
Fortunately, Bruno was very arrogant. He probably didn’t even think Laurel would have any dealings
with a man like Hayden.
However…
Laurel smiled coldly.
The so-called “wastrel” was someone Bruno couldn’t deal with no matter how hard he tried!
“Let’s go,” Laurel took Bruno’s arm and walked into the banquet hall.
Returning to the hall this time, Laurel was noticeably more proactive.
She politely greeted and chatted with the coming and going
Chapter The Charry Banquet (3)
crowd, sipped her wine, and demonstrated the perfect etiquette expected of high society.
Bruno was still somewhat surprised by Laurel’s change. He couldn’t help asking, “Laurel, I really feel
that you’ve changed a lot. You used to be terrible at interacting with strangers, but now you’re at ease.”
She just didn’t want to do so before, not that she couldn’t.
Laurel gave a charming smile and said, “Seeing how outstanding you are, I need to make an effort too.”
This was clearly meant as a compliment to Bruno.
Bruno was delighted. He said, “Silly girl, I’m outstanding just to give you a better life!”
Laurel smiled without saying anything.
“What’s more, I’d feel bad seeing you force yourself to socialize.”
“I’ll pace myself.” Laurel really detested his fake courtesy.
Fortunately at this moment…
The lights in the hall suddenly dimmed.
The charity auction, the key event of tonight, was about to officially begin.
A man walked to the center of the stage, a spotlight shining down on him.
“Good evening esteemed guests. It is my honor, on behalf of our charity organization, to welcome you
to the annual charity
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gala dinner in Rosegrad City. We are deeply grateful for your attendance…” The host delivered a
grandiose speech, drawing all eyes to the stage.
The opening speech finished.
The host wasted no time and began introducing and auctioning the charity items of the night.
There was some muted discussion among the audience below.
Bruno took the initiative to ask Laurel, “See anything you like? I’ll get it for you as a wedding gift.”
Laurel’s eyes flickered imperceptibly.
She remembered that when the charity auction started that year, Bruno had called to ask if she wanted
anything. She said no, and then Bruno bid on a charitable item from the live auction and gave it to
Camilla Braun, which Camilla “inadvertently” made public, causing a sensation in Rosegrad City. Laurel
had explained on Twitter at the time to defend
Bruno.
Thinking back now, she felt it was utterly humiliating.
Laurel said, “I heard about tonight’s finale auction item, the blue sapphire from a queen’s crown in the
1980s. I saw pictures of it. It’s very beautiful.”
“Alright,” Bruno readily agreed.
In fact, he was also somewhat surprised. Laurel had never been interested in such things and always
urged him to be thrifty. He had originally promised to bid on a bracelet for
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Chapter 2 The Chanty Bangun (7)
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Camilla tonight. And he clearly didn’t have enough money for both now.
Laurel deliberately pretended not to find that Bruno was absent-minded, focusing all her attention on
the stage.
Finally…
It came to the last auction item.
The host introduced it effusively, then banged his gavel. “The sapphire, opening bid 800 thousand
dollars, increments of 15,000! Let’s start!”
In the banquet hall, many people started shouting bids. “1 million dollars!”
“1.1 million!”
“1.2 million!”
“1.6 million!” A familiar male voice suddenly called out from
the darkness.
It wasn’t Bruno.
Bruno had been about to raise his hand and was stunned for a second by the sudden high bid.
Everyone present was astonished by the sudden sky-high price.
They couldn’t help but look towards Hayden.
Just then Laurel and Shelley were standing together. Shelley couldn’t help but say, “That Hayden, still
throwing money around arrogantly as always!”
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“He acts like a big shot just because his family has some money, incompetent and troublemaking!”
Bruno said derisively, also raising his hand at that moment. “1.8 million!”
Proud self-esteem naturally didn’t want to be outdone.
“2.4 million!” Hayden called out an extravagant bid.
Bruno failed to conceal his unsightly expression.
“2.7 million!” Bruno raised the bid.
“3.2 million!” Yet another boosted price.
Clearly, it was just to make Bruno look especially petty.
Bruno’s budget for tonight was only 1.6 million dollars, at most 2.4 million.
At this moment…
He looked extremely gloomy.
Many people’s attention was on him.
With schadenfreude written on their faces.
Outsiders didn’t know.
In fact, the Scott Group’s funds had been in crisis recently. Bruno’s attendance at the charity auction
tonight was initially intended to demonstrate the financial stability of the Scott Group, allay internal
rumors, and secure bank loans and investments from other companies. Taking out 1.6 million dollars
was already pushing it, and by no means he could have 3.2 million or more.
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Chapter The Charly Banquet (3)
Bruno endured it, even shaking from anger.
He had never been so humiliated in his life.
“3.2 million going once!” Seeing no other bids, the host shouted loudly.
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Hayden didn’t even glance at Bruno and just had that utterly nonchalant expression.
It made Bruno feel that Hayden didn’t see him as worth looking at.
“3.2 million going twice!” The host shouted again.
“3.2 million going thr…”
“4 million!” Laurel suddenly called out.
Her clear female voice made the banquet hall break out in astonished murmurs.
Bruno also hadn’t expected Laurel to suddenly make a bid.
He couldn’t help muttering in a low voice, “Hayden is obviously just driving up the price. Don’t fall for his
ploy.””
Laurel acted as if she hadn’t heard.
Right as Hayden called “5 million” and Laurel was about to follow..
Brunó directly grabbed Laurel’s hand down in front of
everyone.
Everyone saw it happen.
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Laurel just looked at him.
Bruno had indeed lost control of himself at that moment because he simply couldn’t afford that price.
He didn’t give Laurel any explanation.
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Bruno just felt like no matter how he treated Laurel, she would forgive him, so he didn’t need to care
about her feelings.
He said, “Since Mr. Gilbert seems to be quite fond of the item, and a gentleman does not sna tch what
others favor, we won’t place a bid.”
Hayden was utterly unmoved and bluntly revealed the truth. “I heard this was meant to be a wedding
gift for Ms. Lambert. Mr. Scott, are you certain you don’t want it?”
Bruno had a very displeased expression.
He thought to himself, “Since he knows about it and still deliberately provokes me, it’s obvious he’s not
giving me any respect.”
Hayden smiled faintly, his voice carrying a magnetic charm. “They say Mr. Scott loves Ms. Lambert
dearly. I thought raising the bid would allow Mr. Scott to express his affection better. It seems I was
overstepping.”
“Love shouldn’t be measured by money,” Bruno said self- righteously.
Hayden smiled again and said, “Excellent point, Mr. Scott. So, are you sure you don’t want it?”
“It’s yours.” Bruno maintained a courteous demeanor.
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At that moment, Hayden seemed to turn his gaze towards Laurel.
As always, Laurel felt Hayden’s gaze… utterly indifferent. It was just a casual glance, yet so terrifying.