Chapter 17 Your Cover’s Blown
“Why aren’t you going in?” Philip asked.
Sybil stood still, watching Lowell get out of the car and walk into Zenith Auction House. She frowned, “I just saw someone I’d rather not deal with. Let’s go in later.”
Philip followed her gaze. “That looks like Mr. Hendrix from the Hendrix Group, Lowell. Do you know him?”
Sybil wrinkled her nose. “No!”
*****
The auction house was divided into two levels. The ground floor was reserved for regular buyers, while the second floor offered private booths for VIPs who preferred to remain unseen. Each booth had its own discrete number for identification.
Lowell was in Room 1, and Sybil was in Room 7.
After a few ordinary antiques were sold, the main highlight of the auction–some ancient bronze artifacts–was brought onto the display stage.
The auctioneer expertly described the historical background and collectible value of the pieces. Then, he announced that bidding would start at 3 million.
“5 million!”
“6 million!”
“10 million!”
Eventually, the bronze artifacts were bought by a mysterious bidder in Room 1 for an astonishing 40 million, leaving everyone in the hall in awe!
In Room 7, Sybil lounged on the sofa, yawning lazily. ‘So, that odd man is interested in the bronze pieces. Now that he has them, he should be leaving soon, right? After all, there is nothing left to look forward to.
Just then, the auctioneer spoke up. “The next item is a masterpiece by the famous Impressionist painter Herba, titled ‘V Formation in Late Autumn.‘ The opening bid is set at 160 thousand.
‘That’s it!‘ Sybil sat upright.
“Bidder 3 offers 2 million.”
“Bidder 11 raises it to 2.3 million.”
“Bidder 5 increases the bid to 2.5 million.”
Sybil tilted her chin slightly, signaling Philip to raise his bidder card.
“Bidder 7,jumps to 3 million!”
The audience gasped again–who was this mysterious bidder 7 making such an
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outrageous bid?
The auctioneer began the countdown. “3 million once! 3 million twice, and 3 million-”
Just as the bid was about to be finalized, James from Room 1 raised his paddle.
The auctioneer was momentarily taken aback, his voice suddenly filled with excitement. “Bidder 1 raises the bid to 6 million!”
The room buzzed with excitement. ‘Jumping directly to 6 million? Is bidder 1 trying to challenge bidder 7?‘
Sybil frowned, wondering why Lowell hadn’t left yet.
Philip was irritated. “What is Lowell trying to do? Show off his money?”
“Keep going.” Sybil remained calm.
“Okay,” Philip replied and raised the paddle.
“Bidder 7 bids 8.3 million. Anyone going higher?”
“Bidder 1 raises to 10 million!”
“Bidder 7 escalates to 13 million!”
“Number 1 goes to 16.5 million!”
“16.5 million going once! 16.5 million going twice…”
Sybil’s expression darkened–she didn’t have enough money now.
Philip suggested, “This painting means a lot to you. Maybe we can temporarily use some funds from the project.”
Sybil raised her hand, shaking her head. “No, I can’t risk the company’s funds for my personal affairs. I’ll find another way to get the painting. Let that man have it for now.”
Philip fell silent, feeling resigned.
The auctioneer’s gavel came down, announcing that Lowell had won the “V Formation in Late Autumn” for a final price of 16.5 million dollars.
The crowd was shocked. ‘Spending 16.5 million on a painting that is worth much less? Money talks, right?‘
Sybil’s mind raced. Her mom had published under the pen name Herba and was a bit of a cult artist–respected byt definitely not mainstream.
Yet, Lowell had just dropped 16.5 million on “V Formation in Late Autumn.” Sybil couldn’t help wondering, ‘Could there be some connection between him and my mom? Or did he know her personally?‘
Just then, two beautiful servers from the auction house entered to serve coffee and desserts.
“Sybil?” one of the servers suddenly exclaimed. “What are you doing here? You think you have the right to sit here?”
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Sybil looked up and recognized Queenie. ‘Didn’t she get fired from Ace Group? Is she working here as a server now?‘ she wondered.
Queenie was visibly shocked. She stared at Sybil and then glanced at the handsome, well–dressed Philip, feeling envious.
“Sybil, you’ve got some nerve. You got me fired, and now you’re living it up with a rich man?” she hissed through clenched teeth. Her voice rang out, sharp and loud enough. for everyone in the auction hall to hear.
Lowell, who had just left Room 1, paused at the commotion and quickly turned his cold gaze toward Room 7.
Queenie had started her job on a trial basis just the day before, but her disrespect toward a VIP client had caused a scene and negatively impacted the venue.
The auction house manager quickly rushed over with security and took Queenie out. Then he kept apologizing to Sybil and Philip, looking mortified.
Queenie was certain her job was over. As she was dragged away, she yelled, “Sybil, you witch! You cost me my job again. Sooner or later, that guy is going to get tired of you and dump you.”
‘I didn’t mishear–someone was calling Sybil’s name. Is that little girl here? Is she the one bidding from room 7?‘ Lowell thought. With narrowed eyes, he briskly walked toward Room 7.
Philip sent off the overly apologetic manager and was about to shut the door.
Just then, Lowell’s tall, imposing figure appeared. His gaze was sharp as he looked at Philip. “Is Sybil here?”
Philip paused for a moment but then nodded with a smile. “Do you need something from her?”
Lowell narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice deep and cold. “Tell her to come out.”
Without hesitation, Philip turned and called into the room, “Come on out. Someone’s looking for you,”
Soon, a girl in a work uniform stepped out of Room 7. She looked at Lowell puzzledly, asking, “Sir, were you looking for me?”
Lowell looked down at the unfamiliar girl, his brow furrowing. “Are you Sybil?”
The server replied, “My name is Sibyl, S–i–b–y–l.”
Instantly, Lowell’s blue eyes went cold and distant. Losing interest, he glanced at Philip. gave a quick nod, and said casually, “My bad. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Then he turned and left, with James following behind him respectfully.
As Lowell walked far away, Philip pulled out a platinum shopping card from a major brand and handed it to the server. “You did well. Change your name–from now on, you‘ re Sibyl.”
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“Understood, thank you, Mr. Philip!” The server happily took the card and stepped back.
Philip returned to Room 7 and said, “Lowell’s gone. How do you know him? Why are you hiding from him?”
Sybil looked serious. “It’s nothing big; I just got married to him the other day.”
Philip had just sipped his coffee and spat it out. “What did you just say?”
Sybil calmly explained the situation to him.
Philip was shocked at first but then grinned mischievously. “So, did you manage to score with him on the wedding night? I hear older guys know exactly how to treat a woman right.”
Sybil rolled her eyes at him. “Wanna get smacked?”
Knowing Sybil wasn’t joking around, Philip quickly bolted. “Uh, gotta hit the bathroom real quick!”
Sybil got up as well and headed to the restroom. She washed her hands at the shared sink, casually waiting for Philip to finish up.
Just as she glanced up at the mirror, her expression froze–Lowell stood right behind her, hands casually tucked in his pockets, his face a blank slate.
“Well, I dodged one bullet, but not the next, she thought.
Lowell walked over to her, looking down at her with deep suspicion. “What are you doing here?” he asked.
Sybil remained silent.
Just then, Philip emerged from the men’s restroom. “Boss, the more I think about it, the madder I get. Lowell can have any famous painting he wants; why is he competing with us for ‘V Formation in Late Autumn?‘ He’s so-”
His words came to an abrupt stop when he saw Lowell standing in front of Sybil.
Lowell glanced at Philip, then turned back to Sybil, sizing them both up. Then he
narrowed his eyes slightly and drawled, “Bo–ss?”
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