Chapter 39
The next morning, Natalie Watson stood before her closet, selecting her outfit for
the day.
It was the day of the inaugural auction. As was her custom, she chose an outfit that suited the auction’s theme.
Today’s focus was on ancient books and ceramics. Her eyes scanned the clothes before her, finally settling on a moon-white dress with silver embroidery. She placed it in a garment bag. After parking in the exhibition center’s garage, she realized she had left her work ID at the office. She called Ava Thompson and asked her to bring it over immediately.
With little time left before she needed to get into her dress and makeup, Natalie decided to try her luck getting in without it.
The auction was being held on the third floor.
As she stepped out of the elevator, she saw two security guards posted at the entrance.
“Excuse me,” she said, walking over.
“I’m a staff member with Billy Firth. I forgot my ID, but my colleague is on her way with it. Could I go in first p>
One of the guards looked her over. “Which department are you with? We can’t let you in without an ID p>
“I’m the Vice President of Billy Firth’s Asia-Pacific Headquarters,” she answered truthfully.
The two guards’ eyes widened as they gave her a thorough once-over.
Since she would be changing into a formal gown for the auction, Natalie had dressed for comfort in a simple white blouse tucked into blue straight-leg jeans, cinched with a slim brown leather belt. She wore white canvas sneakers, a dark backpack slung over her shoulder, and carried a paper bag.
The guards stared at her. She looked nothing like a Vice President.
“If you’re going to lie to get in, at least make it believable. You, a Vice President?” one of the guards, a man with glasses, said with a dismissive sneer. His thinner colleague chimed in, “If you’re the VP, then I’m the President. You must be a reporter who couldn’t get an invitation, trying to sneak in to get some pictures p>
With that, he reached for her backpack.
“What are you doing?” Natalie said sharply, clutching the strap. “Who gave you the right to touch someone’s personal property p>
“You’ve obviously got a camera in there. You’re a paparazzi, that’s why you won’t let us look!” the thin guard insisted, motioning for his partner to help him prove his point.
Natalie backed away, her expression stern. “Your job is to maintain order, not to baselessly question people and search their belongings p>
“What’s going on here?” a woman’s voice cut in suddenly. Camila White and Isabella Ward had just walked up.
It was Isabella, Bruce Ward’s sister, who had spoken.
Both women were exquisitely dressed, clearly from wealthy families.
The thin guard’s demeanor changed instantly. “Good morning, ladies. You must be here for the auction,” he said with a grin.
“We’re just dealing with a paparazzi who was trying to sneak into the venue. We caught her in the act. At his words, both Camila and Isabella turned to look at the simply dressed Woman with the backpack
“You?” Isabella said, recognizing Natalie. Camila was equally shocked to see the
woman who had vanished three years ago standing right in front of her.
Her face fell, and a flash of hatred crossed her eyes. Why did she have to show up now? Just a few days ago, Savannah Davis had called and asked her and Alexander to attend the Billy Firth auction to bid on an antique vase for Charlotte, as a way to smooth things over.
She absolutely could not let Alexander find out this woman was back.
Camila discreetly squeezed Isabella’s hand. Seeing her friend’s pale face, Isabella
gave her a reassuring look.
Isabella had never liked Natalie,
blaming her for ruining things Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
between Alexander and Camila. She had been thrilled for Camila when Natalie had disappeared three years ago, happy that the obstacle had removed itself.
Now that the obstacle was back, she knew she had to help her friend.
The guard, hearing Isabella’s tone and assuming she knew Natalie, grew nervous that he had offended someone important.
“Today’s guests are all very distinguished buyers,” Isabella said coolly.
“We can’t have any riff-raff causing a scene here. Get rid of her.” She flashed her invitation at the guards, then took Camila’s arm and swept into the auction hall.
Natalie was also surprised to run into Camila here. She didn’t recall the White family being on the list of buyers today.
If they weren’t, then Camila’s presence could only mean one thing: she had come with Alexander Ramirez.