Chapter 17 Your Identity Has Been Exposed!
"Katherine, why don't you go in?" Frank asked.
Katherine stood still, watching Alex get out of the car and walk into the Peak Auction House. She frowned and said, "I saw someone I didn't want to see. Let's go in later."
Frank followed Katherine's gaze. "That person seems to be Alex, the heir of the Melville Group! Do you know him, Katherine?"
Impatiently, Katherine replied, "Not really."
The auction house was divided into two floors. The first floor had seats for regular buyers, while the second floor had private boxes for those who preferred not to be seen. Each box had its own door number for privacy.
Alex was in Box 1, and Katherine was in Box 7. After a few ordinary antiques were auctioned off, the highlight of the auction, an antique sculpture, was brought onto the display platform.
After the auctioneer professionally introduced the historical background and collection value of the antique sculpture, he announced the start of the bidding. The starting price was two million dollars!
"Three million dollars!"
"Four million dollars!"
"Six million dollars!"
In the end, the batch of antique sculptures was sold to a mysterious buyer in Box 1 for a high price of twenty-six million dollars, causing a stir in the entire venue!
In Box 7, Katherine lazily leaned back on the sofa and yawned. She thought to herself, 'So, that strange man was here to bid on the antique sculpture. He got it. He shouldn't be interested in the rest of the antiques. He should leave soon, right?'
"The next item up for auction is the late autumn masterpiece by the famous Impressionist painter Lotus, starting at one million dollars!"
Here it comes!
"Buyer 3 bids 1.2 million dollars!"
"Buyer 11 bids 1.4 million dollars!"
"Buyer 5 bids 1.5 million dollars!"
Katherine raised her chin, signaling to Frank to start bidding.
"Buyer 7 bids two million dollars!"
The whole room was filled with astonishment. Everyone was curious about who Buyer 7 was, bidding so high!
The auctioneer began the countdown, "Two million dollars going once, two million dollars going twice, two million dollars..."
Just as it was about to be finalized, Leander in Box 1 raised his paddle again.
The auctioneer was momentarily stunned and excitedly exclaimed, "Buyer 1 bids four million dollars!"
The crowd murmured upon hearing this offer.
No one had expected the bid to reach four million dollars!
They speculated that Buyer 1 was determined to compete with Buyer 7.
Katherine furrowed her brow, curious as to why the peculiar man hadn't left yet.
Frank, too, was a bit impatient. He said, "Damn it, what does Mr. Melville want to do? Show off his wealth?"
Katherine replied calmly, "Frank, continue."
"Alright, Katherine!"
"Buyer 7 bids five million dollars. Any higher bids?"
"Buyer 1 raises the bid, six million dollars!"
"Buyer 7 bids eight million dollars!"
"Buyer 1 bids ten million dollars!"
"Ten million dollars going once, ten million dollars going twice..."
Katherine's expression turned grim. The problem now was that she didn't have enough money.
Frank suggested, "Katherine, this painting is important to you. We can use some of the company's project funds for now!"
Katherine shook her head.
"No, I can't let the company's financial chain break because of my personal affairs. I will find a way to get this painting on my own. Let's give it to the gentleman for today."
Frank nodded helplessly.
The auctioneer's gavel fell, announcing that Buyer 1 had won the Late Autumn painting with a bid of ten million dollars.
The crowd gasped once again.
Buyer 1 had spent ten million dollars, several times the actual value of the artwork. He was truly wealthy!
However, Katherine was lost in thought. She wondered, 'My mother only paints under the pseudonym Lotus in her spare time. Although she is somewhat famous, she is not a mainstream artist, and her works are relatively niche.'
Why would Alex spend ten million dollars to acquire Late Autumn? Did he have some connection to my mother, or does he know her?'
"Hello."
Two beautiful receptionists from the auction house walked in, carrying coffee and pastries.
"Katherine? Is that you? What are you doing here?" one of the receptionists suddenly exclaimed.
Katherine looked up and saw Ruth.
Ruth had been fired by the Apricot Group, so now she was working as a receptionist at the auction house.
Ruth stared at Katherine in shock and then glanced at the handsome Frank sitting next to her in a branded suit, jealousy evident in her eyes.
"That damn Katherine! You got me fired, and now you're cozying up to a rich man!"
Her voice was sharp and loud, and the entire auction house could hear her.
At the same time, Alex, who had just left Box 1 and was about to leave, stopped in his tracks upon hearing the commotion. He coldly gazed towards Box 7.
Ruth had only been hired yesterday and was still on probation, but her disrespect towards a VIP buyer had caused a scene and had a terrible impact.
The manager of the auction house hurriedly brought security personnel to escort Ruth out and repeatedly apologized to the buyer in Box 7.
Ruth knew she was about to lose her job again. As she was being taken away by the security, she continued to curse, "Katherine, you bitch! You got me fired again. One day, you'll be played with and dumped by men! Bitch..."
Alex thought to himself, 'I didn't mishear! Someone did call out Katherine's name. Is she here? Was she the one bidding in Box 7 just now?'
Alex narrowed his eyes, turned around, and walked toward Box 7.
Frank had just escorted the apologetic manager out. He was about to close the door when he saw Alex's tall figure appear at the entrance of Box 7.
"Katherine, what are you doing here?" Alex asked angrily, looking at Frank.
Frank was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Do you have business with her?"
Alex squinted his eyes and said sternly, "Bring her out."
Without hesitation, Frank turned to the room and said, "Come out; someone is looking for you."
Soon, a girl in a work uniform walked out of Box 7. She looked at Alex with confusion and asked, "Sir, were you looking for me?"
Alex looked down at the unfamiliar woman in front of him and furrowed his brow. "Are you Katherine?"
The receptionist replied, "Sir, my name is Katerina."
Katerina? Alex looked at her disappointedly. He glanced at Frank and nodded slightly, then said, "Sorry for the disturbance."
After that, Alex turned around and left, with Leander respectfully following behind him.
As Alex walked away, Frank took out a platinum shopping card from his wallet and handed it to the girl named Katerina.
"You did well. Go change your name to Katerina from now on!"
"Understood. Thank you, Mr. Perez!"
The receptionist took the shopping card happily and left.
Frank returned to Box 7.
"He's gone! Katherine, how do you know Alex? Why were you avoiding him?"
Katherine said awkwardly, "It's nothing. I got married to him a few days ago!"
Frank almost choked on his coffee.
"Katherine, what did you say?!"
Katherine briefly explained the situation to Frank.
At first, Frank was surprised, then he sarcastically asked, "Did you manage to win over the most successful businessman, Janetrick? I heard mature older men are very caring!"
Katherine glared at him and said, "Are you looking for a fight?"
Katherine's threat was no joke, and Frank quickly said, "Katherine, I'll go to the restroom!"
Katherine also got up and went to the restroom.
As she washed her hands at the unisex sink, she waited for Frank to come out.
When she looked up at the mirror, Katherine's expression froze.
In the mirror, Alex stood behind her with his hands in his pockets, expressionless.
She thought to herself, 'It seems today is not my lucky day.'
Alex walked up to her and stared at her, his eyes filled with suspicion about her identity. "What are you doing here?"
Katherine didn't know how to respond.
At that moment, Frank walked out of the men's restroom.
"Katherine, the more I think about it, the angrier I get! Does Alex have any world-famous paintings? Why did he have to compete with us in Late Autumn? He's really..."
Frank's words trailed off as he saw Alex standing in front of Katherine. He was stunned.
Alex glanced at Frank, then turned to Katherine. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "What's your relationship with him?"
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