Chapter 7---Scumbag Gets What's Coming
1139 Words
"Mr. Hawkins's fiancée is as beautiful as a blooming flower—better keep her close."
Alice's expression shifted slightly.
This devil...
truly had no fear of causing a scandal.
Zachary Hawkins glanced at Raymond Landry's retreating figure with undisguised contempt. "Just a wastrel."
Alice pressed her lips together.
Fortunately, Zachary was so arrogant that he probably never imagined Alice could have any connection with a man like Raymond Landry.
Still.
A cold smile flickered at the corner of her mouth.
The so-called "wastrel" was precisely the one man Zachary Hawkins had used every means to defeat—and failed to overcome!
"Let's go." Alice linked her arm through Zachary's and stepped into the ballroom.
This time, upon returning to the hall, Alice was noticeably more proactive.
She greeted the passing guests with polite ease, exchanged light conversation, sipped her wine modestly, and executed every upper-class social grace with flawless precision.
Zachary was somewhat taken aback by Alice's transformation. He couldn't help but ask, "Alice, I really feel you've changed. Before, you struggled the most with talking to strangers. Now you're handling it so effortlessly."
Back then, it was simply that I didn't want to—not that I couldn't.
She gave a practiced, elegant smile. "Seeing how outstanding you are, I must strive to keep up."
That, clearly, was a compliment to Zachary.
His mood brightened instantly. "Silly girl, isn't all my excellence meant to give you a better life?"
Alice smiled faintly, saying nothing.
"Besides, I hate seeing you strain yourself with all this socializing."
"I'll pace myself," Alice replied, though she truly loathed his false affection.
Fortunately at that moment,
the ballroom lights suddenly dimmed.
The evening's main event—the charity auction—was about to begin.
A man stepped to the center of the stage, and a spotlight shone down.
"Good evening, everyone! We are truly honored by the presence of all our distinguished guests at Kaldryn's annual charity gala. On behalf of Kaldryn's charitable organizations, I thank you all for coming..." His flowery opening remarks instantly drew everyone's attention.
After the formalities,
the host wasted no time, introducing each charity lot in turn and opening them for bidding.
A low hum of conversation buzzed through the audience.
Zachary leaned in and asked Alice, "Is there anything you'd like? I'll get it for you as a wedding gift."
Alice's eyes flickered.
Back then, she remembered that when the charity auction began, Zachary had called her to ask if she wanted anything. She said no—and then Zachary gifted a piece from the auction to Cecilia Mitchell, who "accidentally" publicized it, causing a minor scandal across Kaldryn. At the time, Alice had even posted an explanation on her Twitter to defend Zachary.
Thinking back now, it was like swallowing filth.
She said, "I heard the highlight of tonight's auction is the sapphire from Diana, Princess of Wales's crown in the 1980s. I saw a photo and thought it was stunning."
"Alright," Zachary agreed immediately.
In truth, he was slightly surprised. Alice had never shown interest in such things, always frugal for his sake. He had already promised Cecilia Mitchell a bracelet to bid on—now his budget was clearly insufficient.
Alice pretended not to notice Zachary's hesitation, keeping her attention fully on the stage.
Finally,
the last auction item arrived.
The host lavished exaggerated praise before striking the gavel. "The sapphire starts at 50 million, with increments of 1 million! Bidding begins!"
Guests in the audience began calling out: "60 million!"
"65 million!"
"68 million!"
"100 million!" A familiar male voice suddenly rang out from the darkness.
It wasn't Zachary.
Zachary had just raised his hand when the bid stunned him into a brief pause.
Everyone in the room froze at the sudden spike.
All eyes turned toward Raymond Landry.
Natalie Finley, now standing beside Alice, couldn't help but mutter, "Raymond's still throwing money around like it's nothing!"
"Still relying on family wealth—good for nothing but causing trouble!" Zachary sneered, yet still raised his hand. "110 million!"
His pride wouldn't let him be outdone.
"150 million!" Raymond countered with a sky-high bid.
Zachary's face darkened visibly.
"160 million!" Zachary raised the bid again.
"200 million!" Another outrageous jump.
It made Zachary look petty and small.
Zachary's budget tonight was only 100 million, and at most couldn't exceed 150 million.
At this moment...
his face turned ashen.
And many in the room were now watching him, some with clear amusement.
Few outsiders knew that the Hawkins Group had been facing financial strain lately. Tonight's attendance was meant to project stability, to silence internal rumors and secure bank loans and investments from other businesses. They could afford over 100 million, but 200 million or more was clearly beyond their reach.
Zachary suppressed his fury so hard his body trembled.
Never in his life had he been so humiliated.
"200 million—first call!" The host announced, seeing no further bids.
Raymond didn't even glance at Zachary, his expression calm and indifferent.
It made Zachary feel Raymond didn't even consider him worth noticing.
"200 million—second call!" The host repeated.
"200 million—third..."
"250 million!" Alice suddenly spoke up.
Her clear, feminine voice caused an uproar throughout the hall.
Zachary hadn't expected Alice to bid at all.
He whispered sharply, "Raymond is clearly trying to drive up the price. Don't fall for his trick."
Alice acted as if she hadn't heard.
As Raymond raised to "300 million," Alice prepared to match.
But Zachary, in full view of everyone, abruptly pulled her hand down.
Everyone saw it.
Alice stared at him.
In that moment, Zachary had acted on impulse—because he simply couldn't afford the price.
Yet he offered Alice no explanation under the public gaze.
He assumed that no matter how he treated her, she would always forgive him—so her feelings didn't matter.
He said, "Since Mr. Raymond Landry wants it so badly, a gentleman doesn't take what another desires. We'll graciously step aside."
"I heard," Raymond interjected, refusing to let it go, "this was Mr. Hawkins's wedding gift for Ms. Casey. Are you sure you're giving it up?"
Zachary's face turned ugly.
Knowing full well and still provoking him—Raymond clearly showed him no respect.
Raymond smiled faintly, his voice light yet rich with magnetism. "I thought raising the price a bit might help Mr. Hawkins express his love more fully. Seems I overestimated the gesture."
"Love shouldn't be measured by money," Zachary declared with righteous indignation.
Raymond chuckled again. "Mr. Hawkins speaks wisely. So you're truly giving up?"
"Graciously conceding," Zachary replied with polite restraint.
At that moment, Raymond seemed to cast a glance toward Alice.
Alice always felt that Raymond's gaze—though seemingly indifferent, just a casual flick—somehow pierced through with devastating intensity.
- Writer
