Chapter 43
The auction kicked off with a crazy high bid of 30 million dollars, which scared off a bunch of people. The. competition got fierce really fast.
“We got a gentleman at 40 million dollars,” the auctioneer hollered.
The auctioneer kept the bids coming, but with each new number, fewer hands popped up. Then things stalled at 100 million dollars and there were no more takers.
“100 million dollars, going once,” the auctioneer started. “100 million-”
Before he could say more, Liam stepped up, throwing down 300 million dollars. “Mr. Liam Sullivan goes 300 million,” the auctioneer nearly shouted, getting all pumped up.
At 300 million dollars the room fell silent. Cynthia almost swallowed her tongue in shock. She turned to Liam and whispered, “Wait, you’re getting me this thing?” The thought of a 300–million–dollar ring scared her silly.
Liam just smiled and asked, “Do you like it?”
“I’d rather you give me the money.”
Liam laughed. Most girls would be doing flips over such an expensive jewel, but here was his wife, playing it cool.
Nobody else in the room could just whip out that kind of dough. They could only watch as Liam took home the prize.
Liam got the ring, stood up, and walked right over to Cynthia. With his fancy suit and those deep eyes full of affection, Liam, about 6 feet 3 inches tall, towered over her. Cynthia had to lift her head to meet his gaze.
When she figured out what was about to go down, her heart raced and she got all flushed.
The big–shot CEO, who was usually all business, got down on one knee and held out the ring to Cynthia. “Cynthia,” his voice was all emotional as he said, “will you share this blessing with me?”
lite
It was so like a scene from a TV show. The crowd was in an uproar. Journalists snapped pics from every angle. Everyone was super jealous, wondering, ‘How’d this lady land such a catch?”
Here was a big–deal CEO, all romantic, which was so not his usual thing. Cynthia, moved to tears, realized this man had given her so many surprises. She found herself addicted to his unexpected gestures. No longer did she want to ponder their arranged marriage or worry about their split after reclaiming shares. All she wanted was to savor this tender moment and stay close to him!
Cynthia got up, huddled next to Liam, and hugged him. “I do, I do,” she whispered.
Liam’s tough look melted. He slipped the ring on her finger and squeezed her hand. “With this ring, you’re stuck
with me. Got it?”
Cynthia had been a bit cold earlier that day, which freaked Liam out. He didn’t want to upset her more. Originally thinking of surprising her with the ring, he changed his plan. He wanted to make her feel secure and show her off as his wife to everyone. By her reaction, he’d played his cards right.
The place erupted with claps and cheers. “Congrats!” Even the auctioneer threw in some improvised good wishes
from the stage.
After all that buzz, it was picture time. Everyone with a big win got called up for a snapshot with their goodies.
Only Yolanda hung back, still red–faced from before. “Just take a picture. What’s the big deal?” someone in the crowd snickered. “Too late to save face.” The staff had to sweet–talk her onto the stage.
Yolanda finally crept up there with her bid–the toilet, trying to crack a smile while everyone else beamed with
their treasures.
With the photo shoot done, the charity auctioned u
Ziv was driving them back. At a stoplight, they saw a super flashy red sports car. It was so shiny and cool that people were turning their heads to look. But the thing that stood out was the fancy toilet tied to the back.
At the auction, they had lots of small stuff, but the toilet was the big, weird prize. They didn’t think anyone would buy it, so there wasn’t a plan to deliver it.
Yolanda had spent a whopping 3 million dollars on it and wasn’t about to leave it. So she tied it to her car.
“Hey, isn’t that Yolanda’s car up there?” Cynthia turned to get a better look.
Liam pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “Forget her.”
Cynthia leaned into him. “You know she’s liked you since childhood, right? And you just ignore her.”
Liam frowned at that, “So, what should I do?”
“At least respond to her so you don’t seem mean.”
Liam laughed, “If I respond to every girl who liked me, I’d never have time for anything else, especially the boss of Sullivan Group. I’m like a hot commodity.”
since l‘
Cynthia giggled. “Who calls themselves a hot commodity?”
12:45 Sun, 21 Jul
Chapter 43
“Jerk,” she joked back.
Then she felt him flick her forehead and say, “Oh, you’re gonna
“Oh, you’re gonna pay for it when we get home.”
Cynthia stuck out her tongue.
They got home after 11 PM.
After a quick cleanup, Cynthia was feeling good. She went to the wine cellar and picked out a bottle of red wine.
“You’re drinking wine?” Liam had been looking for her and found her downstairs.
Cynthia grabbed two glasses. “Want some?”
He nodded.
She poured the glasses half full for both of them–she couldn’t handle her alcohol, so she only gave herself a little bit.
“Why do you want to drink all of a sudden?” he asked, holding his glass and taking a sip. It was a nice scene.
Cynthia, enjoying the moment, finished her wine in one gulp.
12:45 Sun, 21 Jul W