Chapter 422 Strange Outfit
Luann just brushed off Ally.
Ally grumbled, "Seriously, Luann? You're rolling in dough from that ranking thing of yours, making tens of millions every year. You can't drop a few million? You're such a letdown."
Luann shot back, cool as a cucumber, "You'd make a great fly, buzzing around all day. Aren't you exhausted?"
Ally huffed and turned away, too mad to keep talking. But honestly, she wasn't the only one thinking that way; a lot of folks felt the same.
There were twenty people at the first two tables, each holding a hefty chunk of change. Naturally, people were jealous and wanted them to spend big. As the auction was wrapping up, Luann finally raised her paddle.
By then, most folks had already donated what they planned to, so the prices weren't as sky-high as before.
It was a pair of beautifully crafted cufflinks, perfect for a collector. Myron would love them. So, Luann went for it.
The host called out, "Two hundred thousand dollars. Any higher bids?"
The crowd started whispering.
"Seriously? The starting bids were in the millions, and now she's bidding when everyone else is done."
"Isn't that Luann? So cheap."
"Yeah, the richer they are, the stingier they get. Just get used to it."
"I heard Luann wouldn't even pay for her dad's medical bills until he took her to court. She doesn't care for her own family, and you expect her to do charity? Give me a break."
"True, I never thought she'd be like this."
"Typical, many people look glamorous on the outside but are disgusting behind the scenes."
Luann ignored the chatter. After snagging the cufflinks, she also bought an antique vase, thinking it would look great in her bedroom with some flowers.
She spent a total of just three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, making her the lowest bidder among the donors.
Elodie suddenly chimed in, "Nice choice." She had also liked the cufflinks, but since Luann wanted them, she let her have them. After all, she didn't have a man who could wear them.
Luann smiled, pleased with her haul. "I've been holding it in for a long time. How much hair gel did that guy use? His head looks like a big light bulb, and the light reflecting off it is blinding me," someone a few rows behind Alvin complained loudly.
Alvin didn't catch their conversation. After munching on several pieces of watermelon, he felt the need to hit the restroom. So he got up and left.
After using the restroom, Alvin walked out feeling relieved. At the sink, a janitor handed him a basin.
Alvin asked, confused, "What's this for?"
The janitor replied, "Aren't you going to wash your hair?"
Alvin was even more puzzled. "When did I say I was going to wash my hair?"
The janitor pointed at his head. "Look at your hair, it's so greasy. You haven't washed it in two months, right? I have some small packets of shampoo you can use."
Alvin's mouth twitched, feeling a mix of embarrassment and anger. "It's hair gel, not grease! You just don't get it!"
The janitor sighed deeply. "I just don't understand you young folks. Always trying to look strange. And that outfit? Going out at night like that, you might scare someone to death!"
Shaking his head, the janitor walked away.
Alvin looked in the mirror, adjusting his clothes with a serious expression. "So handsome!" he muttered to himself. But he couldn't figure out why no women had approached him all night.
The charity gala went off without a hitch; everything went smoothly.
Guests started to leave one by one. As they stepped outside, it was already dark, and a cool breeze made them shiver.
Alvin quickly took off his jacket and handed it to Elodie. "Don't catch a cold, put this on!"
Elodie glanced at it and firmly refused, "No, thanks."
Alvin insisted, "Don't be polite; your health is important!"
"I'm not being polite," Elodie said coldly, "I just don't want to end up on tomorrow's trending news."
"Are you saying I'm the leading lady's handsome escort?" Alvin fantasized about the headline and chuckled foolishly. He thought it sounded pretty good.
Elodie was eerily silent for a moment, her eyes cold and complex as she stared at him. "No. I'm afraid the media will report that my fashion sense has declined."
Alvin's self-esteem took a hit. He looked at his carefully chosen suit and suddenly felt less confident. "Is my outfit really that bad?"
Elodie said, "It's very ugly." Just then, a car pulled up in front of her. "See you."
Alvin reached out to grab Elodie, but she dodged.
"Can I get your contact info?" Alvin scratched his head, feeling the grease, and awkwardly pulled his hand back, wiping it on his pants. "We could grab a meal sometime."
"No," Elodie said, her eyes unreadable. "We're not the same kind of people." With that, she got into the car.
As the door closed, her assistant Mira couldn't help but ask, "Who was that guy just now?"
Elodie replied expressionlessly, "I don't know him."
Mira said, "He dressed so weirdly, and he seemed a bit off. Do you think he might not be all there? Elodie, you should stay away from people like that."
Elodie said, "Yeah."
Alvin watched Elodie's car leave, sighing wistfully. He comforted himself that if he couldn't have a beauty, he still had Emma and Luann. But he had to find them first.
The hall was almost empty, with only a few scattered guests remaining. Lionel walked out of the restroom, looked around, and spotted Emma.
His face lit up with joy, and he was about to approach her. But then he saw Emma's face light up with a captivating smile as she ran towards Ernest, shouting excitedly, "Ernest, I've been looking for you all night. I thought you didn't come!"
Lionel's steps faltered. He stopped in his tracks. He didn't want to disturb or ruin Emma's good mood, so he walked away with a forlorn expression, waiting for her.
