Zayn scanned the auction venue but couldn’t spot her. “Zayn, what are you looking for?” Stewart walked up then. “Where is she? Where did she go?” “She’s sitting up front. The auction’s about to start. Come on, let’s go.” Stewart grabbed Zayn’s arm and led him toward their designated seats. The auction soon began. Julie was sitting next to Blaine. As the star of the event, Zayn wasn’t with them; he had gone backstage to prepare his opening speech. Blaine whispered, leaning closer, “Jules, if you see something you like, just tell me, I’ll buy it for you. There’s more than just jewelry up for auction today. There are all kinds of things.” Julie shook her head. She didn’t really want anything. She was just there to fill a seat. Seeing her reaction, Blaine reached out and lightly tapped her forehead. “Don’t try to save money for me!” Julie sighed, helpless. “I really don’t want anything.” Just then, she suddenly felt like someone was staring at her from behind. She instinctively turned. When her eyes met Zayn’s, she froze momentarily, her brows furrowing. Why did she have to encounter Zayn even at an auction? Suddenly, Lucian’s deep voice came through the speakers. Julie quickly withdrew her gaze and looked up at the stage, momentarily distracted. She had always been a sucker for good looks, and some things never changed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have followed Lucian everywhere back in the day. “Jules, what do you think? Isn’t Lucian handsome?” Blaine teased out of nowhere. Julie calmly averted her gaze and replied flatly, “He’s… okay, I guess.” Blaine scoffed. “He’s practically god-tier, and you think he’s just okay? Looks like you’ve had your fill of better options, huh?” “Stop talking nonsense. I haven’t.” “Do you like Lucian? Want me to help you pursue him?” Julie’s lips twitched as she gave Blaine a disdainful look. “You’ve branched out into matchmaking now?” “Of course! As your friend, it’s my duty to prioritize your happiness.” “Save it. I’m not interested.” Interested? In what? The man was already married. What was there to pursue? “Lucian is easy to win over. If you like him, just go for it. Don’t chicken out.” Annoyed by Blaine’s constant chatter, Julie couldn’t help raising her voice. “Who said I like him? I don’t like him!” Just as she finished speaking, she sensed someone pausing behind her. She turned her head and met Lucian’s unreadable gaze. Feeling guilty, she instinctively shrank her neck. When did he get off the stage? Wasn’t he still on the stage giving his speech a moment earlier? Lucian walked over and sat in the empty seat next to Julie, not saying a word. The atmosphere became tense and suffocating. Did he hear what she said earlier? Was he angry? Lucian glanced at her, his expression cold as flickers of annoyance passed in his eyes. She actually said she didn’t like him. Lucian stated that he decided to ignore her entirely. Just as Julie wondered whether she should start a conversation, the auctioneer’s voice cut through. “Up next, we have a property for auction: Rosewood Gardens, with a starting price of ten million dollars. Please direct your attention to the screen.” As the photos of the villa appeared on the large screen, Julie’s pupils constricted sharply. It was the gift her father had given her for her ninth birthday. Since the garden was filled with all kinds of roses, Julie later renamed it Rosewood Gardens.