(Chapter 63) The Auction Begins

Astrid stopped focusing on Lewis's intense mood swings, she only felt that he had become a bit more talkative since the last time they saw seen each other. She didn't even question the conversation they were having.

That was when the door to the room opened. Revealing a decent-looking Italian man wearing glasses. Astrid glanced at him once and then didn't pay any attention to him again.

Viviano was quite surprised to see the woman who he had investigated so much in real life for the same time. But feeling the room's temperature drop, he peeled his eyes away.

"The auction is beginning in 10 minutes boss." Viviano lowered his head. His boss was glaring at him so intensely!

Lewis took away his glare and looked at Astrid, seeing her not eating anymore. He stood up. "Alright, note down anyone who is late, they won't be invited again." Lewis nonchalantly said as he started to walk out of the room.

Viviano nodded and then rose his head to meet Astrid's gaze. Seeing her stand and look at him with an emotionless look on her face, he felt a shiver up his spine.

"Mm, you seem quite capable. No wonder you managed to investigate me and my family." Astrid off-handedly mentioned. As she followed Lewis out of the room.

'... Shit, will I die tonight?' Viviano was terrified to say the least. Did he just offend 2 powerful monstrosities at the same time?

Outside the room was a small hallway to a room that currently were holding close to a hundred of the richest men and women in Europe.

"Go in from that door, we'll speak later." Lewis started to talk in his normal tone. Cold, professional, and uncaring. He didn't even look at Astrid when he spoke to her.

Astrid didn't reply and went in through a small door into the room. 2 guards were standing by the door she came out of. They didn't question her as they kept their gazes steely and straight.

'He was prepared.' Astrid knew that the Guilliano family was famed for their security even before the current elder of the family took control. They were close to old royalty in the country and had control over the protection of the royal family. It was no surprise for Astrid to see such professionalism.

No one questioned Astrid coming from a small doorway on her own, because everyone's attention was brought to a small stage at the front of the hall. On it, a cold handsome man was currently standing beside the host of the auction...

"All the money spent tonight will be going to charity, the reporters that were invited you may take your seats first, while others will follow in the order they are told with the number on the back of your invitation card." The host explained some things, and also how to seat in the auction room...

The guests didn't question this, the way the auction was held was always like this. The reporters were put into positions near to guards or where they are easily accessible. In case of a security issue. Then the invitation cards sent also had their seat number on it. It was randomized from guest to guest, the guest needed to remember their seat before entering. Otherwise, they would immediately be kicked out.

It happened many years ago and was a famed incident, it helped the public opinion of the Guilliano family seeing how much care was put into the charity auctions.

Astrid waited for her number to be called. She was number 247, meaning she would be at the very back and in a corner of the room.

Astrid sat herself and took a glance to her right. Seeing a middle-aged man next to her she paid no attention to him. Just watching the large screen that was settled for people who couldn't see the item clearly.

.......

"Going once, going twice. And sold, the paintings of Icarus sold to number 161 for 5 million euros!" The host announced with a smile.

Astrid had an uninterested expression on her face. An hour had passed and the auction was still going strong. It started with jewelry and women's items. Then antiques that were donated for the auction. And now paintings that were donated, nothing she was interested in.

"Don't see anything you fancy?" The middle-aged man beside her asked with a sly grin.

Astrid ignored him again. He had been trying to talk to her for the majority of the auction. She just blocked him out, knowing he wouldn't dare do anything here. Nor would he have the ability to do so...

Seeing Astrid not respond the middle-aged man felt an anger building inside him. He had never seen this beautiful woman inside the business circles before. But since she was in this auction and was invited, then she must be someone important...

But he couldn't keep his desire held within, he studied her body. She was a true goddess. She was probably taller than him, had slim but also curvy body. At least D cups. And her face...

He couldn't let this opportunity get away from him tonight. As the host's voice made him look back to the auction.

"The next item coming up is something of legends. Legends spoke of the Queen of the long dissolved tribes of Eastern Europe. Within those legends, Queen Miosaik brought the separate and disorganized Russian principalities under her control. She ruled during the years of 383- 423. Historians felt this legend was just that, but evidence came a year ago of this historic empire existing, as the crown worn by Queen Miosaik was found in an archeological dig site!" The host spent time garnering interest in the item before revealing it.

He knew what he was doing. Most of the wives of the powerful men that were invited were already giving their husbands looks. The daughters did the same to their partner. While a few of the independent women invited, were also interested.

Astrid was one of them. As she saw the crown made from pure silver and emeralds come on to display, she finally gave a light smile.

'So it was true. The Guilliano family did find the crown...' Astrid didn't believe the information at first, why would the Guilliano family have anything related to ancient Russian history?

But seeing the crown that was a legend within the lands of modern Russia in front of her, she actually felt a burning passion. She, who struggled to produce any emotion, felt a need and want for that crown...

"Bid starts at 50 million euros" The host started the bidding war.

"100 million!"

"200 million!"

"400!"

Such a large bidding war took place, and why you might ask?

The prestige of being able to say a businessman owned such an item would be enough to make others ride their cocktails. The price was no problem, since the crown was literally priceless. Also, the rarity, not many normal people would get to own a piece of history like this. It was only with a lengthy process that the Guilliano family were allowed to take the crown in the first place. So now it would be in their hands with no problems.

The other, is credibility, the Guilliano family would never lie about the credibility of an item. They not only had a reputation to uphold, but also had a system to allow those who wanted a refund, to be able to get it, the money would be through their own pockets.

In the past someone tried to fraud that the Guilliano family sold a fake item to them and wanted a refund and compensation. It only took a day for the item to be confirmed real, and the family of that person to be completely annilihaited. Nver to be heard from again.

"540 million euros going once... Twice." As the host was about to slam down the mallet. A female voice came from the back.

"1 billion euros." Astrid had raised her card, and bid for the first time.

The mumbling from the reporters and the guests filled the hall. A billion euros for the crown? This woman must be extremely rich, or her partner was so...

The man beside Astrid looked at her with a strange expression. Not that she paid any attention to it. She kept a calm gaze on the crown she had bid on.

Above Astrid was a seperate room, this was where the host of the auction would sit, meaning Lewis was sitting up there watching over with a smile.

"The crown of Queen Miosiak, I see. It makes sense now." He mumbled to himself, the crown was a crucial part of history in the east of Europe, not just to Russia. But also parts of Asia as well.

It was stunning to look at, and it was a one of a kind. Any female would die to have the opportunity to wear it, so most of the females were now glaring at the corner where the female voice came from. But they couldn't see her face properly because of the lighting.

The host was stunned. 'A billion euros... This number is crazy! How would anyone be able to casually pay for that?' sure 700 million euros was a lot. But a billion was a crazy number!

Of course, Astrid didn't care to think about what anyone was thinking, she wouldn't be leaving the hall today until she got what she wanted...