Devin was an interesting person. He stopped chasing after Ashlyn when she said that she didn’t want to be in a romantic relationship, and he had the news about them on the Internet deleted.
But Devin didn’t forget the bet between him and Ashlyn on the racecourse that day. He even called to remind her the day before the event.
Of course Ashlyn wouldn’t go back on her word. And since she lost the bet, she would definitely see it through.
After hanging up, Ashlyn called Talia and asked her to prepare a dress for her.
When Ashlyn put down the phone, she heard a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
The door swung open and Talia came in with a package. “Miss Ramos, this is for you.”
“For me?”
Ashlyn didn’t recall buying anything.
“Yes, it’s from Mr. Stanley.”
Ashlyn clicked her tongue and frowned. “Please open it for me.”
“Okay, Miss Ramos.”
Inside the box laid a delicate haute couture dress.
There was a card nestled inside, handwritten by Devin himself. It read, “Thank you for accepting the invitation.”
Ashlyn smiled and put the card aside. “I guess there’s no need for you to prepare a dress, Talia.”
How considerate of Devin!
On the day of the party, Devin arrived the Fairway Group building at six o’clock and waited for Ashlyn patiently.
Ashlyn hadn’t gotten dressed yet. Devin was already in a white suit, standing by the Cayenne with one hand in his pocket, the other holding a mobile phone. Hearing the sound of someone approaching, he looked up and smiled at Ashlyn. “Would you like to have dinner with me?”
Even though Ashlyn had seen many excellent and handsome men in her life, she had to admit that Devin was really blessed in the good-looks department. When he smiled, he could easily attract people’s attention like moths to a flame.
Ashlyn smiled and replied, “I’d love to.”
No wonder all the girls swooned over Devin. After dinner, he took her to a beauty salon so that she could get dressed and put her makeup on.
The dress was a tasteful combination of black and navy blue and was customized to fit Ashlyn perfectly.
“You look beautiful.” Devin looked her up and down and marveled.
“Thank you for the dress, Mr. Stanley.”
An haute couture dress from the Amelia’s would’ve cost millions of dollars. Ashlyn was glad she didn’t have to spend a dime.
“It’s my pleasure.”
As Devin spoke, he offered her his arm.
Looking at his outstretched arm, Ashlyn smiled and put her hand on it.
Twenty minutes later, the Cayenne was slowly pulled to a stop in front of the hotel.
Devin tossed the keys to the valet attendant and quickly trotted over to the other side of the car to help Ashlyn. The two entered the banquet arm in arm.
A few days ago, Devin had openly pursued Ashlyn. Now that they showed up at the event together, everyone broke into a heated discussion.
“Oh, my God! Did Ashlyn finally fall for Mr. Stanley?”
“I think so! Have you seen her dress? It’s the Amelia’s. My cousin was dying to have it but gave up when she saw the price. It costs more than 1.3 million dollars!”
“Wow! Ashlyn must be one hell of a woman. First, she got Mr. Jones, and now, she has Mr. Stanley wrapped around her finger!”
“She’s amazing!”
The moment Aiken and Gordon stepped foot inside the hall, they happened to overhear these discussions.
Aiken frowned and glanced at his friend subconsciously.
Gordon seemed completely unfazed. He simply went straight to his seat, as though he had heard nothing.
Aiken, on the other hand, rolled his eyes when he saw Devin and Ashlyn arm in arm.
To be honest, now that he saw them side by side, Aiken realized that Devin and Ashlyn looked like they were dressed to match each other.
Ashlyn had only come here to fulfill her end of the deal, so she had no interest in the items to be auctioned that night.
Devin, who was sitting next to her, didn’t make any bids, as if nothing attracted him either.
When it became clear that Devin also had no interest in the auction, Ashlyn turned to ask him, “Don’t you like anything here?”
“I do.”
Devin smiled slightly, picking up a bottle of water and taking a sip. He glanced at her and added, “The one I like can’t be auctioned.”
While his implication was clear as day, Ashlyn smiled innocently and pretended not to understand what he meant. “Oh, that’s too bad.”
“How about you? Doesn’t anything here tickle your fancy?” Devin asked Ashlyn while he tinkered idly with the auction paddle in his hand.
Ashlyn was about to shake her head when a picture of a snuff bottle on the big screen caught her attention.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
Ashlyn knew her father was fond of collecting snuff bottles, and she knew that he’d love this one.
Stevie was visiting Courtbush in a few days, so Ashlyn figured the snuff bottle would make for a nice surprise when he came.
After all, she was a thoughtful daughter.
Hearing this, Devin asked curiously, “Do you like it?”
Ashlyn glanced at Devin and explained briefly, “My father would.”
“Oh, I see.”
Devin nodded and fell silent.
The snuff bottle was a delicate antique, and its price started at 2.4 million dollars.
Only a few people were interested in it, and the price quickly climbed up to 2.6 million after several rounds of bidding.
After a while, Ashlyn raised her paddle. The auctioneer glanced at her and announced, “This lady’s offering 2.8 million!”
As the auctioneer was speaking, Gordon suddenly raised his paddle. The auctioneer announced, “Three million dollars from the man over there!”
Devin narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to Ashlyn, whispering, “Do you need help?”
Ashlyn shook her head and smiled. “No, thanks.”
Ashlyn knew the true value of the snuff bottle. Going beyond 3 million dollars was too much.
But thinking about how Stevie didn’t have a snuff bottle like this one, Ashlyn was determined to get it. After thinking about it for a while, she raised her paddle again.
“3.1 million! For the lady in the black and blue dress!”
“3.2 million! For the gentleman over there.”
Neither Ashlyn nor Gordon gave up bidding. Finally, the price reached 4 million.
Finally, Ashlyn snorted and put down the paddle.
She figured she could just let Gordon buy the snuff bottle at the unreasonably exorbitant price.
Devin frowned and offered, “Let me help you.”
Ashlyn quickly reached out to stop him from raising his paddle. “Never mind. Just let the idiot take it. It’s not worth it.”
Hearing this, Devin chuckled and put down his paddle. “Whatever you say.”
No one else made a bid for the snuff bottle. Finally, the auctioneer had to announce that the snuff bottle was sold for 4 million.
Aiken pursed his lips unhappily. “That snuff bottle isn’t worth 4 million.”
Gordon glanced at Ashlyn, who was sitting a couple of rows behind him. She was chatting with Devin, and the two of them were smiling.
Seeing this made Gordon quite unhappy. Plus, annoyed by what Aiken said, Gordon said irritably, “So what? I’m rich.”
Aiken clicked his tongue and shook his head wryly. “It’s your money, so it’s your choice.”
But Gordon and Aiken didn’t come here for a random snuff bottle. They had come specifically for a painting.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply