Day of the auction

4:00 PM, La Lumière Hotel.

"Stop touching your face!" Nico yelled at her for the tenth time when he saw that she was touching the face pack.

'My face won't even be seen in the mask I will be wearing but whatever.'

Lina just pouted at him and went back to texting Wade.

She had booked herself a room on the top floor so that she might get ready in peace.

Whereas Wade would be arriving when the event starts and then come pick her up.

This was the first big event that she would be appearing at, so she had asked Nico to come over and help her get ready.

Only after much pleading did Aunt Kira agree to let Nico run off with Lina because Cecilia's was packed with the socialites who were attending the auction.

Thanks to Lina, those women were granted the rare blessing of working with the previous generation's makeup goddess, Kira Irving.

Lina looked at the dress that was hanging on the rack and gushed over it.

Yesterday, they had returned to Obsidia after everyone had left and she had tried on the dress to see if everything was okay.

To say that she was pleased with Steph's work would be an understatement.

She was in absolute love with that gorgeous dress and couldn't wait to wear it.

---

6:00 PM

The invite mentioned the time as 8:00 PM but the reporters were already swarming around the premises of the hotel as they waited to click pictures of all the big shots who were arriving.

Wade had given the responsibility of supervising the preparations of the Opal Hall and everything else to Asst Kirk.

He had been running around trying to make sure that everything went according to Lina's wishes.

At 7:30, he took one last look at what the hotel staff had achieved and left after he was satisfied.

*Everything is ready.* He sent a text to Wade and went back home.

---

8:00 PM

The guests were already beginning to arrive.

They looked around at the elegant and well-decorated hall and gossiped about who all were and were not invited for the auction.

The Emcee was preparing to go on stage while the band played beautiful music.

The Zhou siblings had arrived and were socializing with the crowd.

They and Old man Oswald were the only members of Obsidia whose family had received the invite. But Oswald Wren had not yet arrived.

Slowly, the other prominent families' representatives reached the venue and the event's commencement was announced by Ivan Zhou.

The guests could mingle and use the dance floor until the auction officially began at 9:00.

--

"Will you hurry up! My friend just texted that they have started the event!" Renee Ming urged her husband to get off the car when they reached the hotel.

Felix Ming first got down and offered his hand to escort his wife out of the car.

The moment the couple stepped out, the cameras started flashing and reporters asked them multiple questions.

The hotel's guards rushed forward and safely escorted them inside.

Renee gasped when she saw the Opal Hall.

The place had a regal air to it and was beautifully adorned with blue and white flowers.

But what captivated her attention were the screens that flashed all of LY's previous designs.

A glimpse of the past to show them what the future awaits.

Felix held her hand and directed her away from the images, towards their friends and acquaintances.

"Hoho… Did Madam Ming finally decide to leave the village and make her appearance here in the city?" A sweet yet mocking voice was heard from behind them.

When the Ming couple turned around, they smiled at the Huo couple, Moira and Ralph Huo.

The other prominent family who had always been at odds with each other, businesswise.

But it looked like the two madams of the Ming and Huo family did not get along because they were sparks flying as they stared at each other.

The poor husbands just awkwardly nodded at each other.

"If it isn't Mrs. Huo, how have you been? I heard that you lost your investment again. It's such a sad thing to hear." Renee shook her head and comforted her.

But the other women watching the show suppressed their laughter because this was a taboo subject for Moira Huo.

Ralph Huo's eyes darkened when he heard the insult in Renee's words.

"Please excuse us." He nodded at them.

Then he smiled at his sweet wife and they strode ahead to greet the others.

"You know she's sensitive about such stuff so why do you keep saying them?" Felix gently tapped on Renee's nose and slightly rebuked her.

"She's been in our circles for so many years but she still gets manipulated by those greedy idiots." Renee frowned when she thought of the gossip that she had heard from her friends.

"I blame that idiot Ralph. He's too protective of her and now she's completely clueless about who's her friend and who's not." She huffed.

Renee had tried to befriend Moira but whenever she tried to talk to her, it always ended up just like what it did today. Eventually, she had just stopped trying.

"Forget about them. Look, our boy is here!" Felix eyed at the door and Renee dramatically swirled around to take a look.

Everyone stopped and stared at the man who had entered.

'Is he protesting something or at someone's funeral?' Renee frowned when she saw his clothes.

He was wearing an all-black suit today which made his diamond cufflinks to draw attention because it sparkled extra hard.

They all waited to see the fortunate beauty who might have accompanied him but that wasn't the case.

Walking behind him was his Asst Mathew Kim wearing a classic black and white suit. He had also worn black glasses to match his boss's suit.

Many of the young women were excited because this meant that he was alone and they could use this excellent opportunity to gain his interest.

Reuben walked straight to his parents and greeted them.

He was already expecting hostile comments on his clothing choices from his mother.

She had always hated it when he wore all black but he thought that it made him look fierce and sexy.

And fierce and sexy he was!

"Mathew, do you remember my signal? When I cough twice, it means that I want that piece. So do anything to bid for it." She instructed him and looked at the other two men as well.

Renee was all prepared to face this auction. She had four pieces that she could bid for and she would make sure to win them at all costs.

Felix and Reuben said a silent prayer for their wallets that would have a huge hole by the end of tonight.

They turned around when they heard gasps coming from the entrance.

Reuben smiled when he saw his friend and uncle walking towards them.

Wayne and Wallace Luo confidently strode towards the Ming family and they greeted each other.

The two families did not have many business alliances because they were in different industries but they were close due to Reuben's and the twins' childhood friendship.

Another eligible bachelor had entered the scene and the girls were now divided into two groups on whom to court or befriend.

Wayne wore an edgy white suit with sapphire tie and cuffs while Wallace opted for a grey suit with a maroon tie.

The emcee had announced that the dance floor was open and many couples danced to the slow rhythm of the band.

Felix invited Renee for a dance and she gladly accepted.

"Where's Wade? It's his show tonight, isn't it?" Reuben asked as he watched his parents' PDA on the dance floor.

'Shoot me if I ever do any of that!' He cringed and turned away.

"He'll show up later." Uncle Ace answered as he stared at the door.

As if his prayers had been answered, there was a commotion once again and this time Patrick Yang arrived in style.

His hair was combed back and his charming smile enticed everyone.

'This attention seeker!' Ace rolled his eyes but he could not look away.

Patrick had worn a dark forest green suit today. His eyes scanned the hall and stopped at the three men, most importantly at the man who was sneering at him.

He made his way towards them and beamed at Ace.

Their clothes were of different colors but if one paid closer attention then they would notice the exact same ties. They had worn a couple's suit because Pat had insisted on it.

"Where's Wade and N… " Pat recklessly opened his mouth, forgetting all about the other man standing there.

But luckily Wayne stuffed a mini quiche into his mouth before he could speak any further.

"Do that again and I'll make you work on every project there is for the next 6 months." Ace deeply leered at Wayne and warned him.

'Wow, so protective!' Reuben was already aware of their relationship and chuckled looking at Wayne's horrified face.

*Gasps*

This time the gasps and whispers were louder than anyone else had received.

That was because the entire Zheng family had arrived together.

Mr. Henri Zheng followed by his wife Eve Zheng and their daughters Talia and Valerie Zheng.

Each family could get only one card and one card could permit two members.

But looking at the four members, the crowd started murmuring.

This only meant one thing, that Obsidia was brave enough to invite their rival company to their auction.

Talia Zheng basked in the attention she had received from the guests. This was what she loved, being the shining star in the room.

Many of the socialites frowned when they saw the Zheng sisters. Their presence would only make the others stand out less which would be unfavorable for them.

"Why is she here?" Wayne groaned when he saw the two devils incarnates.

Their outsides were pretty and breathtaking but their insides were mean and shallow.

Though the Zheng family business was declining, they were still respected in society. This was also why many people tolerated these two young women.

Reuben felt a headache rising when he saw that the two Zheng daughters were sauntering in their direction.

'Is it too late to leave?' He asked himself.