“Are you here to bid on behalf of Nelson, as instructed by Marilyn?”
Callie forced a smile. “Mr. Oconnor is busy, so he asked me to handle it.”
Ahmad’s fingers lightly tapped on his knee, his gaze never leaving her, making her uneasy. It felt like he was looking through her, at someone else…
But she had checked; Ahmad and his wife had always been very loving, with no scandals. Could it be that he had a secret love that hadn’t been exposed? Perhaps this person had left or passed away for some reason?
Ahmad remained silent, so Callie continued to bid. “Ninety-five million.”
He finally spoke, “Do you want this item?”
She didn’t dare move. “If Mr. Oconnor wants it, then I naturally want it too.”
“Then I won’t compete.”
His words were a surprising favor, sending chills down her spine. Callie couldn’t smile. “Mr. Ellison, thank you for your generosity on behalf of Mr. Oconnor. I’m sure he will personally thank you another day.”
Ahmad’s gaze was endlessly tender, full of emotion but not lewd. He fiddled with the prayer beads on his wrist. “Miss Marsh, you look more like my old friend today in that dress than you did the other day.”
Callie straightened her back and chose her words carefully. “Mr. Ellison should look forward.”
Ahmad seemed not to hear her, showing a hint of melancholy. “If she were your age, she would probably look just like you.”
Callie frowned at his words. She had a sudden realization; this old friend wasn’t a lover.
Nelson had also thought she resembled someone.
Could it be the same person?
Before she could ask more, the auctioneer on stage was loudly calling out, “One hundred million once, one hundred million twice, one hundred million-”
Callie snapped back to reality and raised her paddle. “One hundred and ten million.”
The room fell silent, with people starting to take pictures to document the highest bid of the auction.
After three confirmations, the auctioneer struck the gavel. “Sold!”
Callie let out a sigh of relief. Though it was at a high price, she had secured it.
The crowd applauded, and Callie nodded to Ahmad beside her. “Thank you, Mr. Ellison, for not competing with me.”
Ahmad glanced back once. “I’m not the only one who made this possible.”
Lucia had already left early.
After completing the paperwork, Callie lifted her dress and left the venue. As she stepped out, she saw Karlie waiting at the door, clearly for her.
“Miss Sherman, are you really going to treat me to dinner?”
Karlie tilted her head. “Won’t you give me this honor? After all, I did lend a hand when you were in trouble.”
Indeed. Callie hesitated for a moment. “Wait a second.”
She stepped aside to call Nelson. The call went through but no one answered. She had to send him a message: I’m leaving with Karlie.
“Miss Sherman, let’s go.”
Karlie drove off quickly as Ahmad exited the venue just in time to catch a glimpse of Callie’s profile as she sped away. “Did I see that right?”
“It was Miss Marsh, Mr. Ellison,” his secretary respectfully replied. “She probably went with Miss Sherman.”
Ahmad nodded slightly, deep in thought. “Am I being too blind?”
“Mr. Ellison, your love for your daughter isn’t blind, but Miss Marsh isn’t that person.”
Ahmad sighed. “I know that well enough. Don’t let Marilyn know about this. By the way, she’s working nearby these days; arrange for her to see me tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”