Chapter 316 Ezekiel's Auction, Watch a Good Show
The next morning.
Ezekiel's auction went off without a hitch.
The Howard Group hotel had cleared an entire floor for the event, and the exhibition hall was packed with guests.
Charles arrived with Catherine and Juniper.
Catherine wore a white dress with a cutout design at the back, showing off her elegant shoulder blades and waistline. The dress was both innocent and alluring, paired with simple jewelry that made her understated yet captivating.
Juniper donned a black suit dress, her short hair casually pinned with a diamond clip, exuding a relaxed yet commanding presence.
With Catherine and Juniper on either side of him, Charles entered the venue, and Ezekiel personally came to greet them.
"Where's Alexander? Skipping out on accompanying Catherine to the auction, I see," Ezekiel said loudly, clearly trying to stir trouble and make it seem like Alexander didn't value his engagement to the Windsor family.
Such tactics didn't faze Catherine.
She smiled gracefully yet dismissively. "Alexander is on his way and will be a bit late. After all, he's quite free these days, unlike Mr. Howard, who is always busy."
Everyone knew how Ezekiel had become the CEO of the Howard Group—Alexander had passed on the role. The guests were well aware that Ezekiel hadn't gained much from his position and that this auction was a desperate attempt to cover his losses.
Catherine smiled knowingly. "Mr. Howard is the CEO of the Howard Group, while Alexander is just a major shareholder. With Mr. Howard selling off assets, Alexander is sure to come and give Mr. Howard a surprise."
Charles added calmly, "Catherine, be polite. Mr. Howard is ruthless enough to kill his own brother; I'm worried about your safety."
Juniper frowned, "Yes, Catherine, let's keep it down. I'm really scared. Ezekiel might hit me."
Ezekiel was speechless.
He regretted approaching them. He had already experienced the sharp tongues of the Windsor family at the Howard Villa last time. Why had he thought it was a good idea to chat with them now?
"Just joking... This way, please."
Catherine laughed along, "Mr. Howard is so generous. No wonder he's making such a big show of selling off assets, afraid people won't know he's going bankrupt."
Many of the Howard family's business partners present chuckled at Catherine's words.
Catherine's sharp wit had quickly embarrassed Ezekiel, leaving his face flushed.
As the Windsor family took their seats, Ezekiel felt a headache coming on.
Arabella and Owen were seated in the front row.
Arabella was chatting with an elderly man beside her.
"I envy you. Your husband died young. Mine is still alive but doesn't have much time left."
The elderly man consoled her, "Your good days are coming soon."
Arabella laughed coldly, "I don't have much time left either. Who knows who will die first?"
Arabella's blunt style was hard for most to accept, but the elderly man, having seen much in life, laughed heartily and looked around.
The next morning.
Ezekiel's auction went off without a hitch.
The Howard Group hotel had cleared an entire floor for the event, and the exhibition hall was packed with guests.
Charles arrived with Catherine and Juniper.
Catherine wore a white dress with a cutout design at the back, showing off her elegant shoulder blades and waistline. The dress was both innocent and alluring, paired with simple jewelry that made her understated yet captivating.
Juniper donned a black suit dress, her short hair casually pinned with a diamond clip, exuding a relaxed yet commanding presence.
With Catherine and Juniper on either side of him, Charles entered the venue, and Ezekiel personally came to greet them.
"Where's Alexander? Skipping out on accompanying Catherine to the auction, I see," Ezekiel said loudly, clearly trying to stir trouble and make it seem like Alexander didn't value his engagement to the Windsor family.
Catherine wasn't fazed by such tactics.
She smiled gracefully yet dismissively. "Alexander is on his way and will be a bit late. After all, he's quite free these days, unlike Mr. Howard, who is always busy."
Everyone knew how Ezekiel had become the CEO of the Howard Group—Alexander had passed on the role. The guests were well aware that Ezekiel hadn't gained much from his position and that this auction was a desperate attempt to cover his losses.
Catherine smiled knowingly. "Mr. Howard is the CEO of the Howard Group, while Alexander is just a major shareholder. With Mr. Howard selling off assets, Alexander is sure to come and give Mr. Howard a surprise."
Charles added calmly, "Catherine, be polite. Mr. Howard is ruthless enough to kill his own brother; I'm worried about your safety."
Juniper frowned, "Yes, Catherine, let's keep it down. I'm really scared. Ezekiel might hit me."
Ezekiel was speechless.
He regretted approaching them. He had already experienced the sharp tongues of the Windsor family at the Howard Villa last time. Why had he thought it was a good idea to chat with them now?
"Just joking... This way, please."
Catherine laughed along, "Mr. Howard is so generous. No wonder he's making such a big show of selling off assets, afraid people won't know he's going bankrupt."
Many of the Howard family's business partners present chuckled at Catherine's words.
Catherine's sharp wit had quickly embarrassed Ezekiel, leaving his face flushed.
As the Windsor family took their seats, Ezekiel felt a headache coming on.
Arabella and Owen were seated in the front row.
Arabella was chatting with an elderly man beside her.
"I envy you. Your husband died young. Mine is still alive but doesn't have much time left."
The elderly man consoled her, "Your good days are coming soon."
Arabella laughed coldly, "I don't have much time left either. Who knows who will die first?"
Arabella's blunt style was hard for most to accept, but the elderly man, having seen much in life, laughed heartily and looked around.
"Felix isn't here today?"
"He's playing chess with Marcus. He wouldn't understand this event and would just be in the way."
Arabella was always straightforward, never holding back.
If Felix, the former head of the Howard Group, were here, Arabella wouldn't have a moment's peace.
"I don't see much point in Ezekiel's auction. You don't care for antiques, so why are you here?"
"I heard Ezekiel has several precious jade carvings by Ryder. I'm here for those."
Catherine raised an eyebrow slightly.
Her jade carvings were mostly with the Galactic Aurora Collective, and their sales were well-documented. She didn't recall selling any to Ezekiel.
She hadn't seen any jade carvings in Ezekiel's warehouse recently either.
The elderly man beside Arabella admired her bracelet, "Isn't this from that auction years ago? I remember there were two bracelets. So you bought this one!"
"Felix bought it for me. It's not worth much. Just a toy."
Arabella casually took off the bracelet and handed it to Catherine.
"Catherine, this is for you. Juniper's will have to wait. Ezekiel has a particularly clear bracelet, and I'll get it for you."
Catherine looked at the bracelet Arabella handed her. Its transparent color was flawless, clearly a million-dollar treasure.
"Take it. If you don't, I'll smash it."
Seeing Catherine hesitate, Arabella grew impatient. "This bracelet was auctioned alongside your grandmother's. Do you want it or not?"
Catherine, wearing the bracelet Elodie had given her, quickly accepted Arabella's gift upon hearing it was from the same auction as Elodie's.
"This is too valuable, Grandma. You should keep it."
Arabella frowned, rolling her eyes with irritation. "I'm almost dead. What do I need jewelry for, jingling like a bell all day?"
"Take it. Stop talking so much!"
Arabella kicked Owen beside her.
"Ezekiel has a glass jade bracelet. Buy it for Juniper. If you don't, I'll look down on you."
Owen replied coldly, "It's just a bracelet. I'll buy Juniper whatever she likes!"
The two elders bickered in the front, and no one dared to intervene.
The auction soon began.
The lights dimmed, and a spotlight fell on the stage.
Ezekiel stood on stage, smiling at the guests below.
"Thank you all for coming to the Howard Group auction. Without further ado, the first item is a painting. Starting bid, three million dollars!"
Catherine felt someone beside her.
The mysterious, cool scent of absinthe told her who it was without looking.
Only Alexander would boldly sit next to Catherine in such a setting.
He gently held Catherine's hand, writing a message in her palm.
His touch was careful, the coolness of his fingers sending a tingling sensation through her.
Catherine forced herself to stay calm, ignoring her increasingly loud heartbeat in the darkness, deciphering Alexander's message.
[Everything is ready. Get ready for a good show!]
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
