Chapter 325
David ignored the agitated crowd. He continued, “Now, let’s welcome Mr. Wright, the CEO of QUEEN, to the stage.” Instantly, the once noisy crowd fell silent.
David spoke Enmerian. However, everyone wore a wireless earbud that automatically translated his words into their native languages. Therefore, everyone understood David.
The surprise was that the CEO of QUEEN made his first public appearance. He had never attended any previous jewelry shows. People knew his name, but had never seen him.
The protesting crowd suddenly quieted, captivated by curiosity. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the stage.
At that moment, a tall figure appeared beside the stage. He walked onto the stage in a black suit with long, calm strides. Although his face wasn't visible, his intense aura filled every corner of the exhibition hall.
Soon, he stood at center stage. A spotlight illuminated him, allowing everyone to see him clearly.
His features seemed plain individually, but together formed an unexpectedly handsome face. His sharp, chiseled features were like winter ice, with eyes as cold as a frosty pool. He had a high-bridged nose, and gold-rimmed glasses rested on it, conveying not a scholarly look, but a suppressed sense of rebelliousness and ambition.
It was as if a fierce beast hid beneath that refined exterior. His demeanor was cold and stern, exuding untouchable aloofness and ruthlessness.
Simon swept his gaze across the audience. His voice, calm yet aloof, carried an air of superior pride.
Simon said, “The global live streaming of this expo was a last-minute decision. If any guests disapprove, please leave now. I will not force anyone to stay.”
His voice carried an air of indifferent authoritarianism, ignoring everyone’s concerns. Cynthia smiled, thinking, “After all these years, he hasn’t changed at all!”
Simon always had an air of superiority. He never flattered anyone, not even the global elites present. Cynthia always felt that when Simon looked at others, it was as if he were looking at ants.
She once said Simon didn’t respect others, but he treated everyone equally—in his eyes, everyone was insignificant.
Jonathan noticed the slight curve of Cynthia’s lips. He felt something was amiss. He wondered, “Could Cynthia know the CEO of QUEEN?”
But Jonathan found this unlikely. Cynthia had never mentioned it, and he knew Simon had always lived in Betrico.
The Wright family held a unique position in Betrico. They rose to prominence ten years ago.
While lacking the century-long heritage of the other four major families, their power rivaled all but the Bennetts.
Strangely, nobody could discover details about the Wright family. Their sudden emergence and the acquisition of their wealth remained a mystery.
The Wright family was a dark horse that burst into the business world. They owned many enterprises, and QUEEN was just one of them. In just a few years, they reached the top of the global luxury market, surpassing brands with long-standing histories to become the world’s most desired jewelry brand. This demonstrated Simon’s business acumen and ambition.
Calling Simon a genius was no exaggeration. Jonathan, too, focused on Simon on stage.
Although impeccably dressed, Simon exuded a savage wildness. His eyes held unrestrained aggression, like a demon in disguise, ready to reveal his true form and destroy the world.
Jonathan noticed a deeply suppressed, icy anger and hatred in Simon’s eyes. They were like a deep ocean, concealing darkness and hostility.
But soon, Simon’s eyes fixed on something, and the darkness faded, revealing an almost imperceptible trace of joy and calmness. It was as if he had seen the warmest thing in the world. Jonathan found this strange. Following Simon’s gaze, he realized it was fixed on Cynthia.
Cynthia smiled brightly at Simon. Jonathan frowned, seemingly understanding something.
Simon’s words didn’t deter anyone. Instead, everyone was captivated by his cool demeanor.
The guests included royal ladies and top socialites. Some looked at Simon with excitement and admiration; others blushed shyly. In short, the young ladies’ hearts raced. Shirley was captivated, thinking, “This guy is incredibly handsome.”
It wasn't his exceptional appearance, but the cold, dangerous vibe he exuded that was both intimidating and irresistibly attractive.
Shirley had a hunch: becoming Simon’s woman would make her the happiest woman in the world.
Seeing no one leave, Simon announced, “If no one objects to the live stream, let’s move on to the first segment, the QUEEN’s exclusive jewelry auction. Good luck to everyone.”
After this, Simon left the stage. The spotlight moved, and he disappeared from view.
David took the microphone and began hosting the auction. He said, “I declare the auction officially open. Please take your seats as I introduce each item.”
There were sofas under the stage. Everyone quickly found seats.
Cynthia and Jonathan sat in the front row, closest to the stage, alongside wealthy individuals from Vloford and members of various royal families. Even Whitney sat in the second row. Shirley, without a seat, sat at the edge, frustrated, thinking, “What makes Cynthia qualified to sit in the front row with real princes and princesses?”
Soon, David introduced the first exhibit: a rose-shaped diamond brooch made entirely of pink diamond fragments.
David said, “This is a creation by Miss X, QUEEN’s chief designer, with a starting price of $1 million!”
Chapter 323 (Excerpt)
As everyone knew, QUEEN had three major designers, each with a codename: Miss X, Y, and Z. Miss Y was the most famous; her works were the most sought-after and highly valued. However, the other two designers had their own styles and many fans, though their works were not as expensive as Miss Y's. Cynthia bid first, calling out, “$2 million!”