In the towering, well-lit office building, Aldrich had just concluded an important meeting with the other project managers from the Barrett Group. He needed to hurry back to the Barrett Tower for a high-level conference, but his thoughts were still on Maggie.
As he was about to call Maggie, a figure around the corner caught his attention, causing him to pause.
“Ethan?” Aldrich slowly lowered his phone, his gaze growing sharper. “Were you waiting for me?”
Ethan straightened up. “It’s just a coincidence.”
“We don’t have the kind of friendly chitchat,” Aldrich replied.
“You’re right, some things are better kept secret; they have a more significant impact.”
Aldrich narrowed his eyes. “Do you think I’d give you a chance?”
“I admit, you’ve done well. You’re a formidable opponent,” Ethan replied with indifference, his gaze turning sly. “But you can’t be perfect forever.”
“Failures only make noise,” Aldrich retorted. “You better stay vigilant. I’ll ensure I thwart your plans every time… and you won’t get near Maggie, let alone touch her.”
“Keep your guard up as well. Once I seize an opportunity, I’ll have Maggie!” Ethan left with a dark expression, and Aldrich descended the stairs with firm steps. He kept telling himself that the security detail he’d assigned to Maggie was top-notch, and Charlie was with her. Maggie would be safe. As for Ethan, he must be frustrated that his plans had been thwarted by Aldrich, prompting him to take action.
Aldrich dialed Maggie’s number as soon as he got in the car. His clenched hand on the phone revealed that he wasn’t as composed as he seemed.
The phone connected, and Maggie’s voice came through. “Aldrich? Is your meeting over?”
“Maggie, you finally answered. Hearing your voice is so good,” Aldrich said.
Maggie’s face reddened slightly. “Aldrich, it’s very noisy at the auction…”
“You wouldn’t understand. Waiting for you to answer the phone felt like an hour to me. I miss you so much. I wish I were with you,” Aldrich admitted.
The auction hall was bustling, and Maggie put her phone on speaker, amplifying Aldrich’s words, catching Charlie’s and the serious-looking bodyguard’s attention. They could hardly believe that the typically aloof CEO was being so tender and affectionate in front of Miss Nelson. Charlie almost burst into laughter but quickly covered his mouth.
Though Maggie had grown accustomed to Aldrich’s occasional sweet and affectionate words, she was concerned that this side of him might tarnish his image in the eyes of the employees. She hurriedly interrupted him, “The auction is ending soon; we’re okay.”
“What about those moonstone?” Aldrich inquired.
“They’re not what I need,” Maggie replied with clear disappointment.
Aldrich was also somewhat disappointed, but he quickly suppressed the negative emotions. “It’s okay, energy stones are precious. Finding them all at once is no easy task.”
“I know, it’s just a bit frustrating.”
“We’ll find them, don’t worry. I’ll assign more people to the task.”
Aldrich’s meeting time had come, and as long as he knew Maggie was safe, he was at ease.
At the auction, the “moonstones” were not the energy stones Maggie was seeking, leaving her rather frustrated. She absentmindedly enjoyed her dessert, feeling somewhat detached from the bustling surroundings.
The auction was drawing to a close, and there were rumors that all the items on the list had been auctioned off. However, an unexpected twist occurred at the last moment.
“Miss Nelson, are you heading directly back to Barrett Manor after the auction?” Charlie had been considering the arrangements for their return.
“Can I go somewhere else?” Maggie couldn’t believe the security alert had been lifted. The imposing bodyguards beside her were a testament to that.
“Or you can go to the company,” Charlie suggested with a smile.
“Go see Aldrich?” Maggie shook her head. “No, I’m not in the mood. I just want to go back and rest.”
Maggie felt a hint of disappointment as she hadn’t found what she was looking for. But deep down, she understood that if these energy-infused gemstones were easy to find, Mrs. Jenkins wouldn’t have hidden them so securely.
Charlie signaled for the security detail to prepare the vehicle for their departure, sensing that the auction’s time was drawing to a close.
Maggie leisurely nibbled on her tea treat, her gaze fixed on the auction stage. As she anxiously awaited the presentation of the final piece, a sense of unease and disappointment swirled within her.
The auctioneer began to introduce the last item, capturing everyone’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived. We are about to unveil a mysterious auction item-a thousand-year-old owl statue from the Baka Temple on the North continent. Its craftsmanship is astounding, with each feather intricately detailed, lifelike, and sharp-eyed, seemingly able to gaze into the souls of onlookers. Bidding for this masterpiece starts at ten million dollars.”
Surprisingly, as the owl statue appeared, an unexpected feeling surged within Maggie’s body. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from the exquisite sculpture, a strange sensation enveloping her. While Maggie had no professional knowledge of artifacts, this was merely a statue to her. However, the feeling inside her was becoming increasingly intense, impossible to ignore. Suddenly, her eyes locked onto a particular spot on the statue, and she was filled with wild excitement.
Charlie noticed Maggie had been staring at the owl statue and casually praised, “This statue is a remarkable find, no doubt. Its thousand-year-old history and intricate craftsmanship are undeniable. Its final selling price will undoubtedly be astonishingly high.”
Maggie turned to Charlie, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation. “Charlie, can we bid on this statue? It has something special.”
“This owl statue?” Charlie was extremely surprised. “Maggie, appreciating it is one thing, but buying it isn’t necessary. If you like antiques, Mr. Barrett’s collection is more valuable and of higher quality.”
“No, I just want this statue.”
Charlie furrowed his brow, contemplating her request. As a werewolf, owls didn’t hold much appeal for him, and he knew that having an owl statue at home might make the boss uncomfortable. However, Maggie’s insistence left him at a loss.
Charlie said, “Maggie, you know the boss doesn’t like owls. Having one in our home might not be the best idea.”
Maggie sighed, her voice clearly tinged with frustration as she tried to make him understand.
“But, Charlie, there’s something about this statue. I can’t explain it, but it’s calling to me. Please, let’s bid on it.”
Charlie paused, pondering Maggie’s words. He couldn’t help but recall his wife Jolie’s advice on fulfilling pregnant women’s wishes, even if those wishes seemed irrational. The memory of the boss being drenched in breakfast flashed through his mind. Charlie took a deep breath and raised his bidding card.
“Alright, Maggie. We’ll place a bid for you.”
The auction house manager, who had been standing on the sidelines, breathed a sigh of relief. If Mr. Barrett’s representative left empty-handed, the burden of failure would weigh heavily on him, causing sleepless nights.
The auctioneer’s voice rang out, announcing the start of the bidding, and the room fell silent in anticipation. It felt as if the entire room was suspended in a moment of pause, where the outcome of the bidding was crucial to the hopes and desires of the participants. As the tension mounted, time seemed to stretch, leaving the fate of the owl statue and Maggie’s connection to it hanging in the balance.
Maggie’s heart raced with excitement and nervousness. She clung tightly to Charlie’s arm, her fingers gripping even tighter, hoping to gain the upper hand and protect the statue that had stirred her senses. The room around her seemed to blur, and all her focus was on the auctioneer, awaiting the decisive moment.