Chapter 70: Attend the Bidding Event
The next morning, Vivienne left the Sinclair Mansion and proceeded directly to the land auction in the city’s southern district. En route, Scarlett briefed her on the itinerary, her voice steady and professional, when a call interrupted.
Scarlett glanced at her phone, noting the unfamiliar number. Her brows furrowed slightly as she answered, speaking politely but distantly. “Hello, this is Scarlett.”
“Good morning, Miss Scarlett,” Warren Mitchell’s smooth, confident voice replied. “This is Warren Mitchell from Mitchell Group. I’d like to arrange a meeting with Miss Hayes. Is there a time that works for her?”
Scarlett responded calmly but firmly, “I’m sorry, Mr. Mitchell, but Miss Hayes is currently unavailable and will remain so indefinitely.” Her words were unmistakably final. The implicit message was clear: Sinclair Group’s new CEO had no intention of granting him an audience.
Warren’s expression tightened. His composure faltered, irritation flaring at Scarlett’s refusal. He had been diligently investigating Sinclair Group’s newly appointed CEO for days, yet his efforts yielded only one frustrating detail: the CEO was a woman surnamed Hayes. Even the exorbitant cost of obtaining a photograph of her proved wasted; his computer inexplicably crashed with a virus before he could open the file.
Now, he had opted for a direct approach, hoping to meet her, assess her confidence in acquiring the land, and perhaps even discuss collaboration should his bid fail. But Scarlett’s curt dismissal derailed his plan. Maintaining a measured tone, though his grip on the phone tightened, he pressed on. “Miss Nixon, I genuinely hope to meet Miss Hayes. Surely, you can help facilitate this.”
“Apologies, but I cannot assist you,” Scarlett interjected resolutely, ending the call without further discussion.
The abrupt disconnection left Warren staring at his phone in disbelief, his jaw clenched. A cold shadow crossed his face, and the car’s atmosphere noticeably chilled. His assistant, who had quietly observed the exchange, finally spoke timidly, “Mr. Mitchell, we’ve arrived.”
Warren’s dark eyes narrowed as they fixed on his nervous assistant. “Did we uncover anything worthwhile about Sinclair Group?” His flat, emotionless tone nonetheless demanded an answer. He knew Mitchell Group couldn't match Sinclair Group’s power or capital, but this land was non-negotiable.
The assistant, wilting under Warren’s gaze, stammered, “A-All I know is that Miss Hayes, the mysterious CEO of Sinclair Group, is attending in person…”
“Hah!” Warren’s humorless laugh was low, a smirk playing on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. He lifted his chin slightly, his fingers smoothly buttoning his tailored jacket. “Mysterious or not, we’ll see what kind of person she really is soon enough.”
He exited the car with unshakeable confidence without waiting for a reply.
Minutes later, Vivienne arrived at the venue, slipping in just five minutes before the bidding commenced. Most attendees were already seated, the room buzzing with murmured conversations and curious glances directed at Sinclair Group’s section. Preferring to avoid attention, Vivienne chose a shadowed corner seat, her movements graceful and deliberate. All eyes were drawn to Sinclair Group’s reserved seating, eager for a glimpse of the elusive Miss Hayes, a figure shrouded in intrigue.