Chapter 7 The Jerk Gets His Comeuppance
Cecilia's expression shifted slightly.
He really wasn't afraid to cause a scene.
Dominic looked at Alaric's retreating figure with disdain and muttered, "Just a prodigal son."
Cecilia pressed her lips together. Luckily, Dominic was so full of himself that he probably never imagined she had any connection with Alaric.
But Cecilia's lips curled into a sneer. This so-called "prodigal son" was someone Dominic couldn't handle no matter how hard he tried!
"Let's go," Cecilia said, taking Dominic's arm and heading into the banquet hall.
This time, back in the hall, Cecilia was noticeably more proactive.
She politely greeted and chatted with the guests, sipped her drink, and performed all those high society niceties with ease.
Dominic was taken aback by Cecilia's change. He couldn't help but ask, "Cecilia, you've really changed a lot. You used to be terrible at talking to strangers, but now you're handling it like a pro."
She smiled gracefully, "Seeing how excellent you are, I realized I had to step up my game."
This was clearly a compliment to Dominic.
Dominic's mood lifted, "My silly girl, all my efforts are just to make your life better, isn't that right?"
Cecilia smiled and said nothing.
"Besides, seeing you learning to socialize makes me feel distressed."
"I'll act within my capabilities," Cecilia replied, really detesting his insincerity.
Fortunately, at that moment, the lights in the hall suddenly dimmed.
The main event of the night, the charity auction, was about to begin. A man walked to the center of the stage, and a spotlight shone directly on him.
"Hello, everyone! It's a great honor to have you all here at Serenovia City's annual Charity Banquet. On behalf of Serenovia City's charity organization, I appreciate your attendance..." All eyes turned to him.
After the opening remarks, the auction began, with occasional whispers from the audience.
Dominic leaned over to Cecilia and asked, "Is there anything you like? I'll get it for you as a wedding gift."
Cecilia's eyes sparkled. She said, "I heard tonight's finale auction item is the sapphire from Queen Diana's crown from the 1980s. I've seen pictures; it's stunning."
"Alright," Dominic agreed without hesitation.
In fact, he was a bit surprised. Cecilia usually didn't care for these things, always pinching pennies for him. He had already promised to bid on a bracelet for Eloise today, and now it was clear his budget was going to be stretched thin.
Cecilia pretended not to notice Dominic's thoughts and focused all her attention on the stage.
Finally, it was time for the last auction item.
The host introduced it with great flair, then struck the gavel, "The sapphire, starting at $700,000, with increments of $10,000! Let's get started!"
At the banquet, many people started bidding, "800,000 dollars!"
"900,000 dollars!"
"950,000 dollars!"
"One million dollars!" In the darkness, a familiar male voice suddenly rang out.
Dominic was about to raise his hand but was momentarily stunned by the sudden high bid.
Everyone froze at the sudden high bids being shouted. They couldn't help but look at Alaric.
At this moment, Seraphina was also standing with Cecilia. She couldn't help but say, "Alaric is still so extravagant!"
"He's just a trust fund baby. Can't he do anything right?" Dominic sneered coldly, then raised his hand, "Two million dollars!"
His proud ego naturally didn't want to be outdone.
"2.25 million dollars!" Alaric bid again.
Dominic's face turned visibly unpleasant.
"2.5 million dollars!" Dominic raised the bid.
"3 million dollars!" Another jacked-up price.
Alaric was clearly making Dominic look particularly stingy.
Dominic's budget for tonight was only 1.5 million dollars, and he couldn't go beyond 2.5 million dollars at most.
At this moment...
Many people were watching Dominic with amusement.
Recently, the Kingsley family was in financial trouble. Dominic came to the charity auction to put on a front that the Kingsley family was still doing well, hoping to squash the rumors, and secure bank loans and investments from other businesses. But now, with 3 million dollars, Dominic was in way over his head.
Dominic was holding back, his body trembling.
"3 million dollars going once!" The host loudly reminded, seeing no one else bidding.
Dominic felt that Alaric didn't take him seriously at all.
"3 million dollars going twice!" The host spoke again.
"3 million dollars, fair warning..."
"3.5 million dollars!" Cecilia suddenly spoke up. The crisp female voice caused a stir in the banquet hall.
Dominic didn't expect Cecilia to bid suddenly.
He couldn't help but whisper, "Alaric is clearly raising the price on purpose. Don't fall for his tricks."
Cecilia acted as if she didn't hear him.
When Alaric bid "4.5 million dollars," and Cecilia was about to follow, Dominic, in front of everyone, directly pulled Cecilia's hand down.
Everyone saw it.
Dominic was indeed impulsive at that moment because he simply couldn't afford it.
Facing everyone's gaze, he didn't give Cecilia any explanation.
He said, "Since Mr. Whitaker likes it so much, we'll let him have it."
Alaric didn't appreciate it and directly exposed him, "I heard this was a wedding gift from Mr. Kingsley to Ms. Lockhart. Are you sure you don't want it?"
Dominic's face turned very unpleasant.
Alaric knew exactly what Dominic was doing and still deliberately raised the price, totally disrespecting Dominic.
Alaric smiled faintly, his light and magnetic voice still very charming, "Word on the street is that Mr. Kingsley is head over heels for Ms. Lockhart very much. I thought raising the price would help Mr. Kingsley express his love better. Looks like I overstepped."
"Love shouldn't be measured by money," Dominic said righteously.
Alaric laughed again and said, "Mr. Kingsley, you hit the nail on the head. So, Mr. Kingsley, are you sure you don't want it?"
"Sure." Dominic acted politely.
At that moment, Alaric seemed to glance at Cecilia.
Every time, Cecilia felt that Alaric's gaze, though seemingly indifferent and casual, was incredibly powerful.