Unexpected Fiancée

Chapter 136 Charity Auction

Annie searched around until she finally spotted Jane sitting in a corner. However, the person with Jane wasn't a man but rather another woman who looked familiar. Annie stared at Nana for a moment before realizing that she was the head of Leo Studio, who had testified on Jane's behalf during the plagiarism scandal involving Pansy Group and helped to prove Madeline guilty.

What was the relationship between Jane and Nana? Wasn't Jane just a naive girl from the countryside? Why were they together, laughing and talking as if they were close friends? Annie felt puzzled and quietly sat down near them. She overheard Jane mentioning that she would attend Leo Studio's charity auction tomorrow.

Charity auction?

Annie's eyes lit up with excitement as she quickly sent Florence a text message: "Miss Doyle, Jane will attend Leo Studio's charity auction tomorrow.”

Florence replied promptly: "Prepare yourself well."

After drinking several glasses of alcohol, Jane began to feel dizzy. Nana held her hand holding the glass and said, "Don't drink anymore. Come sleep at my place.”

"Okay," said Jane as she rubbed her temples feeling drowsy.

With slight drunkenness still lingering in her body, she stood up with Nana and walked towards the bar exit when suddenly out of nowhere someone caught her eye.

Annie?

Jane furrowed her eyebrows wondering if it was just coincidence or something more...

The next day around noon time after spending one night at Nana's house sleeping off last night's drinks; Janes woke up rubbing her forehead only to find that there was already a message left by Nana for her:

“I've gone ahead to prepare for tonight's charity dinner event at France's five-star hotel. There is breakfast in the kitchen; you can heat it up yourself. I have also emailed you our new product launch plan for next season which you can take some time to review when free later today."

Jane felt warm inside knowing how thoughtful Nana could be towards their friendship bond while eating breakfast alone before reviewing some parts of what had been sent over by email regarding their upcoming product launch plan.

Tonight's charity dinner event would be held in France's five-star hotel where many upper-class celebrities would be invited thanks to Leo Studio organizing this public welfare activity.

Florence managed to get Peter an invitation card which allowed him access into the auction hall itself...

She looked around the auction hall and spotted Jane sitting in the corner, but Patrick was nowhere to be seen. It seemed like Patrick wasn't too fond of Jane, otherwise why would she have snuck out last night and come alone to the charity auction? Florence's eyes flashed with a hint of malice. "Jane, you're in for it tonight!" At exactly eight o'clock, the auction began. The host spoke with a rhythmic tone: "Welcome everyone to tonight's charity auction hosted by Lea Studio. All proceeds from tonight's auctions will be donated to charity by Leo himself. Thank you all for your support! Tonight we will be auctioning off ten items generously donated by Leo Studio in hopes of finding their rightful owners.” Applause erupted as the host announced: "The first item up for bidding is a Tang Dynasty celadon bowl presented by our lovely Miss Manners!" Miss Manners gracefully walked onto center stage holding an exquisite tray with both hands while the host unveiled a red cloth covering a blue porcelain bowl on top of it. "This celadon bowl has an opening bid of five hundred thousand dollars and each subsequent bid must not be less than fifty thousand dollars! Let's start bidding!" Jane glanced at the celadon bowl; her grandfather had given it to her as a toy when she was younger. Her family had too many antiques that they couldn't even store them all properly anymore so selling them at this charity event would help put them to good use. Soon enough, this Tang Dynasty celadon bowl found its new owner after being sold for two million dollars.

The second item up for bidding was an adorable stuffed cat that looked lifelike.

“Isn't this plush cat just adorable?" The host introduced it enthusiastically,"Don't underestimate its value because it is made by world-renowned artist Leo himself! Especially those diamond-studded eyes make it highly collectible.”

Whispers could be heard from below,"So that's why he made such an expensive toy."

“I wonder who will end up buying this valuable piece?"

This stuffed cat was actually handmade by Jane herself and she quite liked it so she decided to buy back her own creation.

“The starting price for this kitty is one million dollars and each subsequent bid must not be less than one hundred thousand dollars! Bidding starts now!"

As soon as the host finished speaking, someone raised their paddle,"One point two million!"

"One point five million!"

"Two million!"

The price kept climbing until finally reaching five million dollars.

"The current price is five million, does anyone have a higher bid?" The host's voice boomed.

Jane smirked and raised her paddle. "I bid ten million."

The host's voice rose in excitement. “This young lady bids ten million, does anyone..."

Before the host could finish his sentence, Florence raised her paddle high. “I bid twelve million!"

Florence shot Jane a spiteful glance. She hadn't even planned on bidding for this cat, but if it was something Jane wanted, she had to have it too!

Receiving Florence's provoking gaze, Jane simply smiled and raised her paddle again. "Fifteen million.”

Fifteen million!

Florence looked at Jane with disdain in her eyes.

How could this country bumpkin possibly have so much money? It must be from seducing men! And most likely Patrick's money!

Florence scanned the room but didn't see Patrick anywhere.

She stood up and walked over to Jane, towering over her as she spoke mockingly: "Jane, does Patrick know you're spending so much on a cat?"

Jane looked at Florence as if she were an idiot. "What business is it of yours whether he knows or not?"

"So he doesn't know then?" Florence sneered coldly. "If you win the auction but can't afford to pay for it afterward... won't that be embarrassing?"

"Don't worry about me," said Jane nonchalantly as she pulled out a black card and waved it in front of Florence.

As if I wouldn't have enough money to buy it? Give me a break. Suddenly remembering how Jane had used that same card to snatch Elsa's dress at RD Boutique before made Florence furious inside; this time around though - she was determined to get that cat no matter what!

So once again raising her paddle high above everyone else's: “Twenty Million!"