Chapter 262: Waiting to Catch Someone

Natalie’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Maybe it’s just meant to match the whole theme of this auction,” she mused.

“Natalie, let’s check that out over there,” Diana exclaimed, her eyes brightening with interest as she gazed toward the preview area. She grasped Natalie’s hand, attempting to guide her away.

A flash of contempt crossed Natalie’s features as she considered Diana’s ignorance. Had it not been for her pressing need for a proper reason to attend the event with Warren, she would never have risked the embarrassment of bringing Diana to such an event.

Masking her irritation, she cast a lingering glance toward Warren. “We’ll be back soon.”

“Alright,” Warren responded simply.

Natalie accompanied Diana through the preview area, her fingers trailing over the glossy pages of the auction catalog. Her attention gravitated immediately toward the blue diamond, its brilliance captivating her imagination. The mere thought of possessing such an exquisite diamond stirred visions of admiration and envy from others. How magnificent it would be to call it her own.

As Natalie studied the diamond’s image with unveiled admiration, Diana noticed her expression. “What is this?” she inquired. “If you’re fond of it, just tell my brother. I’m certain he would purchase it for you.”

“I was merely thinking,” Natalie responded with calculated gentleness, “that whoever possesses this diamond must be the most fortunate person alive, given its extraordinary rarity.”

“Then my brother absolutely must buy it for you. Just wait and see!” Diana declared enthusiastically.

Natalie responded with a noncommittal smile, her thoughts drifting to tomorrow’s potential spotlight if Warren were to secure the diamond at auction.

As the clock struck eight, the auction commenced. Zayn Swain, the distinguished auctioneer, took his position on stage. After delivering his opening remarks, he initiated the evening’s proceedings.

Vivienne, showing little interest in the preliminary items, reclined on the sofa while sampling fresh fruit. Her gaze occasionally wandered to Derek, who sat across from her. Even in silence, his presence commanded attention as he idly held a coffee spoon.

Detecting her observation, Derek lifted his eyes to meet hers. “What’s up?”

“Are you waiting for someone?” Vivienne inquired playfully, pressing a cherry between her lips, its juice lending an even more vivid hue to her mouth. Before he could respond, she corrected herself, saying, “No—you’re waiting to catch someone.”

His demeanor suggested not leisure but that of a hunter anticipating his prey. A shadow of amusement passed over Derek’s face. “You’re not wrong.”

Vivienne blinked, momentarily surprised. She hadn’t expected him to be so forthright, so unconcerned with hiding his intentions.

“A rival?” she asked, lazily wiping the juice from the corner of her lips with her fingertip. “Or an enemy?”

Derek leaned in slightly, retrieving a pristine white handkerchief. Instead of handing it to her, he carefully wiped her fingers himself. “Is there a difference?”

Vivienne met his gaze. “A rival means both sides take losses. An enemy? That’s a fight to the death.”

A slow smile tugged at Derek’s lips. His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. “An enemy, then.”

Vivienne’s eyes widened at his declaration.

“Don’t worry,” Derek murmured, his fingers brushing her cheek before he claimed her lips in a gentle kiss.

22:24

During their exchange, the bidding for the extraordinarily rare blue diamond had escalated from its opening price of forty-eight million to an impressive eighty million.

“Miss Hayes, would you like to raise your bid?” Jacob’s voice crackled through the intercom.