Chapter 363

Elizabeth yanked at her blazer, strutting through the crowd like she owned the place. Heads turned, eyes glued to her. She was just too damn striking, and her walk? Pure grace, oozing charm.

Louis couldn’t help but stare, his jaw practically on the floor. “Who is she? Alexander, you don’t see women like that every day,” he muttered to his buddy. Alexander’s eyes followed her, but he kept his mouth shut. Louis took a swig of his drink, still eyeing her, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’ll go say hi,” he finally said, and off he went.

Elizabeth was in the restroom, washing her hands, then leaning against the sink, rolling her neck. She was beat. She’d barely made her flight and hadn’t caught a break since landing. Afternoon tea, then straight to the auction. Tonight, she had to snag Serenity Leaf and jet back overnight to hand it to Grant by morning. That thing was priceless. The sooner she got it to Grant, the sooner she could chill.

She was still rolling her neck when she noticed Louis leaning against the doorframe. Blonde, tall, and slim, Louis was in his thirties but still had that charm. His black mask covered half his face, but you could still see his high nose bridge. Louis waved and grinned. “Hey.” Elizabeth glanced around. Louis chuckled. “Yeah, I’m talking to you.”

“Mr. Newman, hi,” Elizabeth greeted him, cool as a cucumber. Louis wasn’t shocked she knew him; he was the big shot behind tonight’s auction, after all. “Mind if we get to know each other?” Louis asked. Elizabeth nodded. “Sure thing.”

“Where you from? Your accent’s kinda like my partner’s,” Louis said. His partner? Elizabeth thought of Alexander. “Lindell Harbor,” she replied smoothly. “My partner’s from Lisbun,” Louis said. Elizabeth just smiled.

“How about we swap numbers?” Louis suggested. Elizabeth handed over her phone, letting him punch in his digits. “If I wanna ask you out, that cool?” Louis asked, straight-up. Elizabeth nodded. “Yeah, I like making friends.”

“But I’m talking about a different kinda date,” Louis stepped closer. Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, taking a step back. Louis moved in again. “I like having beautiful women around me,” he said, leaving the rest unsaid. Elizabeth’s face darkened. “Mr. Newman, respect yourself and me,” she snapped. Just ‘cause you got junk doesn’t mean you can bed any woman, she fumed inside.

“Whatever,” Louis shrugged. “That’s how we roll here.” He reached out to touch her shoulder. Just as Elizabeth was about to slap his hand away, someone called from outside, “Mr. Newman!” Both of them looked over. It was a waiter in black. “The auction’s starting. Everyone’s looking for you.”

Louis frowned, annoyed, and thought, ‘Already? Has it been half an hour?’ “Got it!” he barked. He glanced at Elizabeth, shook his phone. “Catch you later.” And with that, he was gone.

Elizabeth frowned, letting out a sigh of relief. She immediately deleted Louis’s number. As she walked out, she spotted Alexander leaning against the wall, smoking. His eyes, deep and unreadable, peeked out from under his mask. He glanced at her but said nothing. Surrounded by smoke, Elizabeth, who hated cigarettes, quickly walked away. Alexander watched her go, his eyes darkening.

The waiter from earlier came back, smiling and holding out his hand. “Mr. Tudor.” Alexander slipped him a bill. “Thanks.”