Chapter 14: She Was as Childish as a Kid

The auction had begun. A woman with a seductive figure, prominent buttocks and breasts, walked in from the side, gracefully approaching in a moon-white dress and white high heels. Every gesture and movement was full of charm. Many men below stared, their eyes revealing various shades of desire.

"Men are naturally lustful!" Cheyenne snorted, raising her head to meet Omari's clear, gentle gaze. She was stunned for a second. He smiled slightly and whispered, looking down, "Cheyenne, I wasn't looking."

"Why not take a look? I saw her, and her figure is really great."

"I only have eyes for you. Others are nothing."

"He started flirting again!" she thought. "If I were four years younger and hadn't met Kelvin at seventeen, I might have been moved by him!"

Their intimate whispers and ear-biting drew glances. Kelvin stared at the fair, tender thigh of a woman in red, feeling inexplicable heat. His face then turned gloomy and dark. This feeling mirrored the one he felt when facing Cheyenne. He remembered his intimacy with her, his expression darkening further. "How could I still be thinking about that greedy, selfish woman? I must be crazy!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's Hatchdew Auction," the auctioneer announced. "On behalf of Hatchdew, I thank you for coming. Tonight, we will not disappoint you. Next, let us present the first treasure: an ancient pink porcelain vase depicting battle scenes…"

As the beautiful hostess finished speaking, music filled the room. Another leggy beauty approached, holding a glass cover draped in red cloth. Slowly uncovering it revealed an antique vase full of classical charm. Cheyenne glanced at it dismissively; she wasn't interested. She hadn't come for this.

"Now, the fifth treasure: a silver-plated gold wire rectangular basin featuring a plum blossom bonsai." The bonsai, approximately thirty centimeters high, was magnificent. The basin was decorated with coral and gemstone plum blossoms, large pearls, and rubies. It was exquisitely crafted.

Omari noticed Cheyenne's gaze change and assumed she liked it. "If you like it, I'll bid on it for you."

"This is mine," Cheyenne replied coldly.

"What?" Omari was confused. "If it belonged to Cheyenne, how did it end up at auction?"

"My stepmother stole it and sold it here."

"Damn it, leave it to me. Let her rot in jail!"

"But jail costs money. It'd be better if she paid for it," Cheyenne said. Omari chuckled. 'She truly lives up to being the woman I've taken a liking to—so smart and domineering.'

"The starting bid is 1.5 million," the auctioneer announced. Someone immediately bid 1.51 million. Cheyenne spotted Malaya and Nora, masked, in a corner. "How did they get in here?" she whispered to Omari, motioning for him to lean closer.

From Kelvin's perspective, Cheyenne's red lips hovered less than three centimeters from Omari's earlobe; it seemed she might kiss him. He forced himself to look away.

"1.6 million!" Omari called out, his charming voice filling the venue. Nora saw only his tall, blue-shadowed silhouette.

Malaya gritted her teeth. He'd just added another ten thousand dollars! How was she supposed to negotiate now? If she didn't get the bonsai, Cheyenne might report her to the police with a list from the Edwards family.

"1.65 million."

"1.8 million!" Omari chuckled softly.

Nora, ignoring her mother's displeasure, only wanted to see the young man.

"That bonsai… my companion likes it very much. Please don't compete," Omari said, looking affectionately at Cheyenne. He was buying it for her!

Jealous, Nora bid 2 million without waiting for Malaya to respond. She hoped to attract Omari's attention, but he didn't react. He simply stopped bidding.

Malaya spent five hundred thousand more than expected and felt heartbroken. Even more frustrating was the gentleman in the first row who consistently outbid them, only to drop out later. She was dumbfounded.

Cheyenne turned to see Nora gasping for breath. She laughed. "You're so mischievous! You made me do all the bad things, and you're just enjoying the show," Omari said, laughing and crying at once. But it mattered little if he could help Cheyenne.

Cheyenne peeled an orange and offered it. "Thanks, Omari."

"Since you peeled it, wouldn't it be more sincere if you fed me?" He pointed to his lips.

"If you don't want to eat it, forget it. You think too highly of yourself," Cheyenne retorted, placing the orange in his hand and turning away.

"Fine. I'll feed you. Open your mouth," Omari said, watching her closely, wondering how to win her heart.

Cheyenne smiled and whispered, "Remove the veins."

"They're nutritious!" Omari complained, but he removed the veins and gave her the orange. She ate happily, swinging her feet like a child. At that moment, she was as naive as a child.