Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 488 The Charity Auction (Part Three)

Brian shifted his gaze towards Mark, whom Spark was carrying, and continued in a flat voice, "You'll know soon."

Eric's eyebrows were knitted more tightly. At this point, a clamor rose at the venue. Russell came. All the people cast their eyes towards the entrance. Both Brian and Eric turned around and stepped aside to avoid the attention. Russell was known as the godfather of music. He was a legend around here. No one had achieved so much as he had and his appearance at this event just showed how powerful Dream Media really was.

People were now buzzing with more excitement than ever now that Russell had arrived. Almost everyone, except for Spark, tried their hand at getting noticed by Russell. But not long after, the auction began.

This auction was just like any other auction that featured celebrities. People could auction anything: items, dares, dinners, etc. The highest bidder won whatever it was being auctioned. The money would go right to the funds set up for disabled children.

The auction was going well. A lot put diamonds or jewels up for auction while some celebrities opted to auction clothes they had worn once on the red carpet. Some auctioned out dinners with them. The businessmen they invited came with deep pockets ready to be emptied. They spent their money as if it grew on trees delighting everyone attending.

"The next item is a necklace called Sunny Day. The donor is..." The host paused as he tried to find the donor's name on the card he was handed. "Well, um, anonymous," he finished.

Some chuckles were heard but generally, people didn't care. It was completely normal for CEOs and presidents of conglomerates such as the Dragon Empire Group to keep a low profile. It wasn't their goal to be known. They preferred their privacy and away from the spotlight of the media.

Soon, a spotlight was on stage with its focus on a model showing the necklace off. The light shone against her skin as if it was a warm sunny day. The necklace was intricately adorned with the loveliest sunflowers. All the light could do was give it more justice. People couldn't stop staring at it.

The host further explained, "Sunny Day is mainly decorated by sunflowers. It's made of platinum and surrounded by colored diamonds. This is handcrafted. The maker of this necklace wanted to express through this necklace that every day is a sunny day as long as you are fine. What a beautiful message. The opening bid is 500 thousand with increments of 50 thousand."

The bidders didn't even wait for the host to finish before cashing in their bids. They just kept going and fighting over the necklace until the bid finally reached one million. Even though no one knew who the designer was, people were scrambling to buy the necklace as a way to make their partners feel special.

"1.2 million!"

Molly's eyes expanded when she heard Spark's voice. She whispered, "Weren't you planning to bid on the Stradivarius violin that Russell is auctioning?"

Spark smiled and said in an easy tone, "Every day is a sunny day as long as you're fine. And I just want to remind you of that promise by buying this necklace." Someone topped his bid. He paused to listen before raising his board. "1.5 million!"

The necklace itself was only worth 600 thousand, at most. And with the designer being unknown, it was even less valuable. But people were scrambling to bid because of the message that the designer wanted to express. When the other bidders saw Spark bid higher, they withdrew their boards. They could tell that Spark wasn't going to give up and besides, they knew their partners would be more interested in much bigger and more expensive jewels.

"Two million!"

a cold voice suddenly said. Everyone turned to look at where the voice came from including Spark and Molly. When they turned around, the found out that it was Brian. He had been casually standing in the corner, one hand in his pocket with the smuggest look on his face. Molly and Spark stiffened when they recognized Brian.

"2.5 million!" Eric piped in. He lowered his voice and teased Brian, "This is Aunt Iris' charity auction. I should show some respect and participate, right?"

"Three million!" Brian raised his board again. Then he mumbled, "Sunflowers bloom in the summer. Every day is a sunny day as long as you're fine."

A bitter smile formed on his lips. He gazed at Molly intently. When he saw Molly quickly turn her head upon their eyes meeting, the pain in his eyes intensified.

'Mol, I've been living in darkness all my life. My hands will always be stained with blood. What can I do? That came with the territory when I took over XK Intelligence Agency. I'll never live a day that isn't brimmed with darkness. And I'd rather that you spent these days with me, if that's the only way to get you back. How long do you need to see how much I love you? I'll do everything I can just to make you see it even if it means shedding blood, ' he thought to himself.

"3.5 million!"

Spark countered. People gasped; they were starting to get wind of the tension between the three men. Brian unfazed while a knowing smirk played on Eric's lips. Spark maintained his proud countenance. None of them looked the least bit worried but everyone was on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what was going to happen next.

They kept bidding until they reached 10 million. None of them came here to lose. They'd already gone this far - now wasn't the time to quit. With the people present, half of them knew Eric yet few knew Brian. But since Brian had been standing next to Eric and he seemed just as intimidating, people just assumed that he was as powerful and important as Eric was. Perhaps, 10 million was nothing to him. But it was different for Spark. Most of his money was from endorsements and while he could afford the 10 million, that would mean that he wouldn't be able to bid on the violin that Russell had put up for auction which was what he had originally come for.

"Spark..." Molly was starting to get worried. She knew what Brian and Eric were capable of, "I don't want the necklace. Your promise is enough. I don't need a necklace to remind me."

Spark just smiled. He squeezed her hand that was clutched on his sleeve as he raised his board, making another bid. Molly didn't get it. It wasn't even about the necklace anymore. Now, they were all just competing for her.

"I heard that Russell's auctioning his Stradivarius violin tonight, the one he's kept for years, is that true?" Brian suddenly asked.

Eric nodded as he raised his board again, making another bid. Brian smiled knowingly. He was estimating Spark's assets in his mind. Then he raised his board again.

The atmosphere was getting thicker and thicker. The host was an employee of Dream Media - he kept helplessly looking at Iris who was watching from backstage. But Iris never returned any of his glances as she was keeping her eyes on Molly.

"25 million!" Spark spat, fuming.

Everything fell quiet, so quiet that only breathing could be heard. Manny was white as a sheet - he didn't know what to do to stop Spark. Eric was powerful, of course. He was the vice president of Dragon Empire Group. Manny didn't know anything about Brian except that he was a Long and that was enough for Manny to know that Spark was way out of his league. Even if Spark did get the necklace, he was still losing.

Because that 25 million was all he had. That was nothing to these people. But to Spark, that was his entire life's savings!

Brian withdrew his bids and so did Eric. So Spark got the necklace. It cost him 25 million but he didn't mind. He didn't care about the necklace but what mattered to him was that moment when he could put the necklace on Molly that sent a message to everyone in the room. "Every day is a sunny day as long you're fine," he said as he pressed a soft kiss on her lips. That moment made everything worth the trouble.

From all the fiasco outside the hotel to his moment, he just wanted everyone to know that Molly was his wife, not anyone else's.

"Disgusting!" Eric commented as he watched Molly and Spark kiss.

Brian's face didn't show any expression as usual. But, fury and jealousy were brewing inside him.

'Spark, I hope you won't regret what you did today when you are served tomorrow. I will let you live for Harrow's sake, but don't expect me to be merciful if you choose the hard way!

'000000