Chapter 9

I handed my early resignation letter to HR, watching her stamp it with the company seal.

“Since Mr. Thorne approved, Luna, please hand over your current tasks. You can leave in three days.”

My gloomy mood, which had lingered for days, finally began to clear.

I returned to my desk to finish my final tasks.

After two days of organizing documents and handing them over to my colleagues, I took a box and packed all my belongings.

I had just finished tidying up when Damon pushed the door open and walked in.

Seeing my empty desk, a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.

“What are you packing for?”

I was about to answer when he seemed to remember something and nodded.

“Right, you’ve been promoted, so you’ll have a private office. You can pack later. Come with me now.”

With that, he didn’t wait for my answer, turned, and left.

I wanted to say something but held back, silently following him all the way to an auction house.

Scarlett was there too.

Seeing me, a hint of disdain crossed her face.

She walked over and linked her arm with Damon’s.

“Damon, I’ve already picked out the jewelry I like. You have to buy all of them for me this time, no matter what.”

Damon gave her a doting smile and helped her to her seat.

“Don’t worry, I’ll bid for anything you want.”

I stood alone in a corner, watching their intimate, laughing figures, feeling nothing in my heart anymore.

Once the auction began, Damon bid relentlessly on everything Scarlett showed interest in.

The entire hall was shocked by his lavish spending, everyone turning to look.

“He’s bidding on so many items! How much does Mr. Thorne dote on his girlfriend? She gets whatever she wants, it’s better than a wishing well. Ms. Hayes must have saved the galaxy in her past life.”

“I heard that ever since they started dating, Ms. Hayes has gotten everything she wished for. I can’t believe it’s still like this after all these years. Mr. Thorne is truly devoted.”

Hearing these envious praises, Scarlett was beaming with pride.

She casually tossed the auction catalog to me, then playfully pouted at Damon.

“I want to go to the restroom, Damon. Will you come with me?”

Damon immediately stood up and helped her leave, leaving me with only one instruction before they went.

“Bid on everything circled in the catalog.”

I quietly noted it down and, as he requested, bid on and won all the items.

Just as I was about to leave, the auctioneer on stage suddenly unveiled a new item.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we now move to the hidden item of this auction: a pink-purple necklace carved from a 40.52-carat alexandrite. Starting bid, ten million.”

All the guests were unprepared for a hidden item, and their gazes were drawn to the dazzling and luxurious necklace.

Immediately, bidding calls rose and fell, quickly driving the price of the necklace to an astronomical sum.

I picked up my phone, took a picture of the necklace, and sent it to Damon, asking if I should bid.

But he didn't reply. I called a few more times, but no one answered.

While I was trying to contact him, the necklace was sold for five hundred million.

The moment the gavel came down, Scarlett happened to return.

She immediately fell in love with the necklace.

Upon learning it had been sold, she picked up a glass of red wine from the table and deliberately splashed it onto my face.

“What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you to bid on everything I liked?”

The wine soaked my hair and clothes. I clutched my hands tightly, trying to keep my voice steady.

“This necklace wasn’t in the auction catalog. It was a last-minute hidden item. I called Mr. Thorne, but he didn’t answer…”

Scarlett ignored my explanation, looking tearfully at Damon.

“Damon, she not only has competence issues but she’s also shifting blame! I don’t care, I want that necklace. If you don’t get it for me, I’ll never talk to you again.”

Damon had seen my message, so it wasn’t my fault.

But in front of Scarlett, he couldn’t explain that for me. He could only go along with her words to soothe her.

“When have I ever failed to give you what you wanted? Be good. I’ll send someone to buy the necklace back right now.”

Damon called over a staff member, his voice stern:

“Go negotiate with the buyer. Whatever he asks for, as long as he’s willing to give up the necklace.”

I stood by, my soaked shirt clinging to me, red wine dripping from my hair.

Watching Scarlett’s triumphant eyes, I suddenly had a bad feeling.

The staff member soon returned, looking troubled.

“Mr. Thorne, the buyer said he’s willing to part with the necklace, but…”

“Speak.” Damon frowned.

“He has one condition…” The staff member stammered.

“He wants your secretary to spend a night with him. He said…”

The staff member gritted his teeth and repeated,

“He said that even though your secretary is of ordinary looks, he’s used to gourmet meals, but a simple snack can be refreshing sometimes.”