“Mom, stop insisting on it. We are over. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I have a meeting to get to.”
Without waiting for her response, he ended the call. The screen went dark.
He handed the phone back to Brent, his expression once again composed and distant.
But as they walked toward the waiting car, his gaze flickered once more toward the direction where the red Corvette had disappeared.
Brent slipped the phone neatly back into his inside pocket before lifting the tablet in both hands. He stepped closer, angling the screen toward Magnus.
“Mr. Graves, the auctioneer you were looking for has been found,” Brent said in a professional tone.
Magnus’s stride slowed. “Sylvia?” he repeated, his brows knitting slightly as he took the tablet.
Brent nodded.
Magnus took the tablet from him, long fingers brushing the edge of the device. His sharp eyes lowered to the screen. A detailed profile filled the display—Sylvia’s credentials, herrecord-breaking auctions, her connections across the world, her expertise in gemstones and rare jewels.
Brent continued, hands clasped behind his back. “She has already accepted our partner’s invitation to join the next auction.”
Magnus’s lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile. His thumb tapped once against the side of the tablet.
“Good. We needed that,” he murmured, almost to himself.
Brent hesitated slightly before continuing. “However… there is an issue.”
Magnus’s eyes flicked up sharply. “What issue?”
“Our international partners for the gemstone project have unexpectedly arrived in Manhattan. They intend to attend today’s auction personally.”
Magnus’s head snapped up, eyes sharpening instantly. “What the hell is happening?” His tone turned cutting. “Didn’t we already assign someone to handle this project?”
“We did,” Brent replied carefully. “But today’s auction was meant to be a small-level event. It seems our partners for the largest ongoing project decided to attend without prior notice. Given their status, we cannot risk presenting an auctioneer who is not… suitable.”
A deep line formed between Magnus’s brows. He exhaled sharply, irritation flickering across his features.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath, jaw tightening.
Brent quickly added, “There may be a solution.”
Magnus’s gaze flicked back to him, cold but expectant.
“Miss Sylvia’s current location has been discovered. She is in Manhattan at the moment. Since she has already joined our project, perhaps we can persuade her to handle today’s auction.”
For a split second, Magnus was silent.
Then eyes gleamed with calculated interest.
“Get her,” he said without hesitation. “Hire her for today’s auction no matter what it takes.”
He handed the tablet back, already moving toward the car.
***
The auction at the Majestic Hall was nearing its finale.
Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, scattering fractured light across the velvet-draped room. The final transaction was being processed, assistants moving discreetly between rows with polished professionalism.
“The auction has now reached the end. Thank you everyone.”
