The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 281

Should I tell her?

Charlotte blinked, her long lashes trembling as her bright eyes shone with curiosity. “Alright, go on. I’m listening.”

She really wanted to see how Anthony would explain bidding such a suspiciously romantic number.

“Well…” Anthony’s gaze lingered on her flawless face. His eyes were deep and intense, his breath a little uneven, and his voice came out rougher than usual. “Lottie, do you want to date me?”

She had expected him to come up with some poetic excuse, maybe something about loving her forever, anything to match that over-the-top bid. But this… she hadn’t seen this coming.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, the surprise making her heart thump wildly. “You mean… with you?”

A few seconds passed while she regained her composure. Then she tipped her head up, a playful, proud smile tugging at her lips. Her eyebrow arched in a challenge.

Anthony nodded, letting out a low chuckle. He could hardly believe how nervous he felt, his palms slick with sweat. Asking Charlotte out was way more stressful than signing billion-dollar deals. Honestly, he’d never felt like this before.

“You think I’m that easy?” Charlotte grinned, leaning in close, her voice soft and teasing.

Did that count as a rejection? Anthony could only smile helplessly, wondering if he’d pushed too hard and scared her off. Whatever. She was right here with him. Sooner or later, she’d be his anyway.

…

Meanwhile, at the auction house, the auctioneer raised his gavel and called out, “Five hundred twenty-nine million, one hundred thirteen thousand, one hundred forty, going once!”

The whole room fell silent. Everyone stared at bidder number eight, waiting to see if she’d go any higher.

The gavel struck. “Congratulations to bidder number nine for winning the SaKura diamond!”

Applause and excited chatter erupted around her.

Patricia froze, her whole body trembling. She hadn’t won SaKura. She couldn’t give Charlotte the best gift anymore.

Anne hurried to her side, worried. “Please, Patricia, don’t be upset. Even if you didn’t win, Charlotte will still be so happy to know you tried your best.”

Patricia’s eyes brimmed with tears of frustration. She stomped her foot again, then stormed out, muttering, “I’m going to find Anthony. He’ll have to buy that diamond back for me, no matter what!”

In another room, a staff member handed Anthony the crystal box holding the diamond. Anthony looked down, smiled quietly, and placed it right into Charlotte’s hands.