Honey, You're a Billionaire?

Many guests at that night's charity auction saw through Anastasia's underlying motive but chose not to mention it. "How would I know about Mr. Finch's plans?" Anastasia replied with a coy smile. She didn't mind being misunderstood.C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.

In truth, she had extended an invitation to Jonathan, but she wasn't sure if he would attend. Nevertheless, she had dangled a tempting lure, one that she hoped would be irresistible to him.

Just then, Anastasia felt someone's gaze on her and looked up to see Rose approaching. "Ah, she's here. Good," she mused.

"Please excuse me for a moment," Anastasia said with a smile, gracefully excusing herself from the conversation and heading straight toward Rose.

Upon reaching her, Anastasia slipped her arm through Rose's in an intimate gesture.

Rose frowned. "You asked me to come, and here I am. You promised to tell me about Kelly's whereabouts. I hope you're not going back on your word."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Anastasia replied, her smile taking on a more enigmatic edge as she locked eyes with Rose.

She continued, "But now that you're here, don't you think it would be a waste to focus solely on Kelly's whereabouts?

"This charity auction is held in Grandpa's name, and he was very fond of you. Surely, you wouldn't want to see something he cherished fall into someone else's hands, would you?" Rose was taken aback. "What do you mean by that?" She scrutinized Anastasia closely.

"Is she suggesting what I think she is?" Rose thought.

Rose's reproachful gaze caused a ripple of displeasure within Anastasia. However, her smile only grew more carefree.

"It's nothing, really. I just thought that since this charity auction is in Grandpa's name, it would be fitting to include something of his to encourage guests to bid generously."

She went on, "Do you recall the suit Grandpa wore during his birthday celebration at Aquastead? I've actually brought it along with me."

"Anastasia!" Rose's fury erupted as she clenched her fists.

That suit had been a birthday gift from Miles to their grandfather, one that Rose had personally designed and had custom-made. However, Anastasia remained unfazed by Rose's anger.

"Rose, it's just a suit. Grandpa may have liked it, but it's just a piece of clothing in the end. Why are you getting so worked up?" She raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.

But to Rose, that suit was far more than just a piece of clothing. "How can I get it back?" she asked, forcing herself to remain calm. She was determined to reclaim the suit.

This was precisely what Anastasia had anticipated. "Well, getting it back might be tricky." She sighed. "All the auction items have already been handed over to a third party, and they're part of the auction process now. I have no control over them anymore." Then, as if suddenly struck by an idea, her eyes lit up. "Oh, wait! The only way you could get it back is by participating in the auction and bidding for it yourself!" "Participate in the auction..." Rose mused. She could discern the intentional provocation in Anastasia's smirk, and her fists clenched even tighter in response. Meanwhile, Anastasia seemed rather pleased with herself for successfully inciting Rose's anger. Just then, a server happened to pass by them with drinks. Seizing the opportunity, she casually picked up a glass and handed it to Rose. "The night is still young. I hope you enjoy yourself," she said. She was confident that Rose would stay and bid on the suit.

Sure enough, Rose accepted the glass. Not only did she take the drink, but she also took Anastasia's suggestion.

"Fine, I'll stay and bid on the suit, and..." Her lips suddenly curved into a smile as she crooked a finger at Anastasia, beckoning her closer.

Intrigued and unsuspecting, Anastasia leaned in further. In an instant, Rose lifted her glass high and slowly tilted it. The vibrant red liquid cascaded down over Anastasia's perfectly styled hair and exquisite dress, causing her to gasp in shock. "Ah!" Her cry of shock drowned out the soft notes of the piano playing in the background, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"Isn't that Ms. Young?"

"Someone just poured wine all over her!"

"Who would dare do such a thing?"

Before Anastasia could even process her anger, she heard murmurs of sympathy from the crowd. Forced to suppress her urge to retaliate, she put on a wounded expression. "Rose, how could you do this to me? I've done nothing to offend you!" she exclaimed, her face contorted with feigned hurt.

However, Rose had witnessed such a dramatic change in expression from more than one person. As such, Anastasia's sudden shift in demeanor wasn't the least bit surprising to her. A faint smile graced her lips as she leaned in close to Anastasia, her voice cold as she delivered a warning.

"Anastasia, while I've accepted the situation with Grandpa's suit, this," she gestured to the wine now dripping from Anastasia's head, "is your punishment for disrespecting his belongings. "Should you forget, even for a moment, why I'm here tonight, just know that I won't hesitate to use this glass to mar your face."

Anastasia was well aware of Rose's unwavering determination. This woman had never shied away from speaking her mind or acting upon her words.

"You're insane!" she hissed, clenching her teeth in fury.

Rose was unfazed. She pushed Anastasia aside as she moved away from the crowd. The mix of sympathetic whispers and scathing remarks was nothing more than background noise to her.

It wasn't until she saw Miles

standing a short distance away that

she abruptly halted in her tracks. The satisfaction she had felt from teaching Anastasia a lesson quickly faded, replaced by a feeling of being caught red-handed by an elder after misbehaving.

After all, this charity auction was held in Oliver's name. It was not the place for a spectacle.

"Miles, I" Rose began, prepared to admit her error, but Miles cut her off with a gentle pat on the head.

His voice was full of affection as he said, "What did she do to upset you?"

His demeanor suggested that he would support her unconditionally, no matter what had happened.

Rose met his gaze, the urge to confess slipping away as she considered the suit. Instead, she replied, "ve already taught her lesson, She's a mess

eline

now drenched in front of everyone.

You should see how pitiful she looks."

Both of them turned their attention toward Anastasia, who was making her way out of the venue, covering her disheveled makeup and maintaining an air of unjust indignation. "She does look quite pathetic," Miles commented. He was pleased with how Rose had stood up for herself but still felt compelled to offer his support.

He gently tucked a stray lock of Rose's hair behind her ear, saying, "Next time, let me know if something like this happens again. No matter who it is, you can always stand behind me."

Rose was overwhelmed with gratitude. Not only had she been blessed with Oliver's care, but she also had Miles as a brother. Their protection gave her a comforting sense of warmth. "Okay," she replied with a playful nod. "After all, I do have a big brother to rely on!"

Miles' smile grew increasingly fond as he gazed at Rose.

Meanwhile, a woman wearing sunglasses observed them from a distance, her gaze lingering on the pair. Shrouded behind the dark lenses, it was apparent that her concealed eyes held untold intentions. As the auction began, Rose took her seat beside Miles. Clover entered the room soon after, his eyes scanning for Rose.

Although he had received the invitation to this charity auction well in advance, he hadn't been interested in attending.

However, half an hour ago, when his

bodyguard had informed him that Rose was present at the event, he had promptly canceled a scheduled video conference with the Xanth family and rushed to join her at the auction.