Chapter 4: Great Admiration for You
1083 Words
Rex Carlson hadn’t expected to run into Sophia Bennett’s best friend, Olivia Harper, at an event like this.
Then again, considering the Bennetts’ high status in Washington, it wasn’t surprising that Olivia, likely from a similarly well-off family, would show up here.
“I’m here because—”
Before Rex could finish, Olivia cut him off. Her sharp eyes flicked over his casual outfit, and she scoffed, already convinced he must have snuck in to deliver food.
“Why you’re here doesn’t matter to me,” she snapped. “But hear this loud and clear—Sophia is my best friend. You got her pregnant, and if you think you’re walking away without taking responsibility, you’ve got another thing coming!”
Rex’s patience wore thin. “She already had it taken care of. What am I supposed to be responsible for now?”
Olivia’s eyes blazed with fury. Grabbing him by the collar, she hissed, “Who told you that? She’s keeping the baby!”
The news landed like a hammer.
What?! She didn’t go through with it?
Olivia noticed the stunned look on Rex’s face and doubled down, her anger bubbling over. With a gleam of vengeance in her eye, she raised her stilettoed foot and aimed for his toes with all her strength.
But Rex sidestepped gracefully, his reflexes honed from years of training.
“Ah!” Olivia yelped as her heel slammed into the ground, sending a sharp pain shooting up her leg. She shot Rex a death glare, clutching her ankle. “This isn’t over!”
Rex watched her storm off, her figure swaying with each angry step. Nice proportions, he thought absently, but her personality’s as sharp as her heels.
Still, her words echoed in his mind. Sophia’s keeping the baby?
Back in the auction hall, Rex took a seat, his thoughts still tangled, but the scene before him snapped him out of it.
A group of men swaggered into the room, their entitlement practically oozing from their pores. They claimed the front row, their arrogance palpable.
Mia Liu, Leonard Hayes’ sharp and composed assistant, stood beside Rex.
“Who are they?” Rex asked, nodding toward the group.
Mia adjusted her glasses, her tone professional. “That’s Ethan Hansen, heir to the Hansen family fortune. He’s the main competitor for today’s project.”
Rex’s eyes darkened. The Hansens.
Ethan—the same man Sophia was being pushed to marry—was notorious for his sleazy reputation.
If I win this project, the Hansens can’t partner with the Bennetts. Sophia won’t have to marry that scumbag. If I discreetly help the Bennetts after that, Sophia won’t owe anyone.
Was it altruism? Hardly. Maybe it was just that Rex hated to see good people sacrificed for the unworthy.
As the formalities dragged on, Ethan stood, silencing the room with his booming voice.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, his tone dripping with condescension, “the Hansen family will be taking the New District project. Anyone foolish enough to challenge us will regret it.”
Satisfied with the silence that followed, he raised his paddle. “Fifty million dollars. It’s ours.”
A voice from the back cut through the room like a knife.
“Sixty million dollars”
Heads turned, eyes locking onto Rex, who lounged in his seat like he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Who’s that guy?” someone whispered.
“Does he even know what he’s doing?”
“He must not be from here—no local would dare go against the Hansens.”
Ethan slammed his hand on the table, his face twisting in anger. Rising to his feet, he growled, “You looking for trouble?”
Rex shrugged lazily. “Isn’t the highest bidder supposed to win? That’s how auctions work, right?”
Ethan’s face darkened. “Seventy million dollars!”
Rex smirked. “Eighty million.”
The room buzzed with whispers as the tension mounted.
Ethan stormed over to Rex, gripping his collar and leaning close. “Ninety million! Listen, you piece of trash—you’re playing with fire here. Back down before you regret it.”
Rex’s grin widened, unbothered by the threat. “One hundred million dollars”
The room erupted in chaos.
Ethan, livid, raised his fist. “Do you have any idea who you’re messing with? I’ll bury you alive, you hear me?”
Rex moved like lightning, delivering a clean uppercut that sent Ethan sprawling. Grabbing a chair, Rex brought it down with precision, leaving Ethan groaning on the floor, blood streaming from his forehead.
Dusting off his hands, Rex glanced around the room. “Anyone else have a problem?”
The silence was deafening.
Rex handed his payment card to Mia, who efficiently finalized the deal. The room exploded in murmurs as the transaction went through.
Still crumpled on the floor, Ethan hissed, “Find out who this bastard is. I want him dead!”
Meanwhile, in a private lounge, Olivia Harper was still nursing her sore ankle—and her bruised ego.
“Grandpa, who is this mysterious guest you’re so eager to meet?” she asked, her curiosity barely concealed.
Leonard sipped his tea, his demeanor calm.
“You’ll understand when you meet him. Just be respectful. His temper isn’t easy to predict.”
Olivia pouted. “Fine. But I still think this whole thing is ridiculous.”
A staffer entered. “Sir, the auction has concluded.”
Leonard nodded.
“Did the Hansens win?” Olivia asked casually.
“No. Someone else secured the bid.”
Olivia blinked, then gawked. “What? Someone outbid the Hansens? Are they insane?”
Leonard chuckled. “That someone is the man we’re waiting for.”
“Okay, now I really have to see who this lunatic is!” Olivia exclaimed, grabbing her phone. “Text me when he gets here!”
As she rushed out, she turned a corner and smacked right into Rex.
“Watch where you’re going!” she snapped without looking up.
“Stupid delivery guy!”
Rex sighed, muttering something under his breath as he continued toward the lounge.
Leonard rose immediately when Rex entered. “Sir.”
Rex pointed toward the door. “The girl who just left—she yours?”
Leonard smiled, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. “My granddaughter, Olivia. Single, healthy, and…”
He hesitated before adding, “She greatly admires you, sir. Always talks about wanting to meet you.”
- Writer
