Free Web NovelChapter 45: The Winter Lotus Emerald Necklace!
"You actually dare to hit me?!"
Tristan Caldwell clutched his burning cheek, staring at Luca Hale in utter disbelief.
Growing up, he had always been the one humiliating others. Nobody had ever dared lay a hand on him, let alone strike him in front of half the city’s elite.
The surrounding guests turned their attention toward the confrontation. Yet despite the tension in the air, nobody stepped forward to intervene. They were all curious to see how this would unfold.
The auction hadn’t even begun, and a conflict had already erupted in the front row.
On one side was the son of Octaveo Pharmaceutical’s general manager.
On the other sat the mysterious new owner of Kanda Hospital.
Neither was someone ordinary people could afford to offend.
Even Austin Silva, seated several rows away, straightened in his chair and looked over.
Luca remained perfectly calm.
"That’s right."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"I hit you. So what are you planning to do about it?"
His gaze turned cold.
"Some people refuse to listen until they’re taught a lesson."
Truthfully, Luca had no interest in wasting time on someone like Tristan. But the fool had repeatedly crossed the line in front of Naomi.
Humiliation burned through Tristan’s chest.
He had already lost face in public. If he didn’t retaliate now, how could he continue showing his face in elite circles?
"You bastard!"
With a roar, Tristan threw a punch at Luca.
Gasps erupted around them.
But before the fist could even reach its target, Luca casually reached out and caught Tristan’s wrist.
The movement was so effortless it looked almost lazy.
Tristan froze.
Luca glanced down at the expensive watch on his wrist.
"Nice watch."
He nodded approvingly.
"Looks expensive."
For a split second, Tristan almost thought Luca was complimenting him.
Then Luca’s grip tightened.
"Shame the person wearing it isn’t worth nearly as much."
"Aaaah!"
Pain shot through Tristan’s arm as finger marks appeared on his wrist.
Before he could react, Luca shoved him backward.
Thump!
Tristan stumbled several steps before collapsing awkwardly into his seat.
The entire row fell silent.
Luca dusted off his sleeve.
"Remember this."
His voice was calm, but the warning carried a chilling weight.
"This is the last bit of patience you’ll get from me."
"Try my luck again, and you’ll regret it."
For the first time that night, genuine fear flickered through Tristan’s eyes.
The pressure radiating from Luca was suffocating.
Still, his pride refused to let him submit completely.
"Fine..."
He lowered his head.
"I understand."
On the surface, he appeared to surrender.
But the moment Luca turned away, Tristan quietly pulled out his phone beneath the table.
A vicious light flashed through his eyes.
Luca noticed it immediately.
’Still plotting?’
He wasn’t surprised.
People like Tristan never learned from a single loss.
Unfortunately for him, the San Fierro Grand Hotel belonged to Luca.
If Tristan wanted to make trouble here, Luca would happily teach him what real regret felt like.
The disturbance ended as abruptly as it had begun.
Many of the guests exchanged glances.
No one had expected the notoriously arrogant Tristan Caldwell to back down so quickly.
Regardless of what happened next, Luca Hale had already made a memorable first impression tonight.
Of course, some of the older tycoons quietly shook their heads.
They knew the Caldwell family well.
This wasn’t over.
Fortunately, the tension eased when a graceful middle-aged woman in a tailored silk cheongsam stepped onto the stage.
The ballroom lights focused on her.
She offered a warm smile.
"Good evening, distinguished guests. I am Vivian Croft, and I’ll be hosting tonight’s charity auction."
After a brief introduction, the event officially began.
One luxury item after another was presented on stage.
Designer jewelry.
Rare watches.
Limited-edition collectibles.
The bidding remained lively, but Luca never raised his paddle.
Watching from nearby, Tristan sneered inwardly.
’So that’s all he is.’
’Acting tough is free. Spending money isn’t.’
As item after item passed by, Tristan became increasingly convinced that Luca was nothing more than a man putting on a show.
Then the next piece appeared.
The moment the velvet display case was unveiled, Luca’s eyes finally sharpened with interest.
Under the spotlight rested an exquisite emerald necklace.
The centerpiece resembled a blooming winter lotus, carved with extraordinary craftsmanship.
Beside him, Naomi’s elegant neck and flawless complexion immediately came to mind.
This was the finest piece of the night.
Vivian smiled.
"Our next item is the Winter Lotus Emerald Necklace, handcrafted by world-renowned master artisan Elias Whitmore."
A murmur swept through the ballroom.
"Elias Whitmore?"
"That’s one of his works?"
"No wonder it looks incredible."
The opening bid started at two hundred thousand dollars.
Hands immediately shot into the air.
The price climbed rapidly.
Three hundred thousand.
Four hundred thousand.
Six hundred thousand.
Eight hundred thousand.
Just as another bidder prepared to continue—
"Two million dollars."
Luca calmly raised his paddle.
The room fell silent.
Every head turned toward seat number seven.
Even Naomi stared at him in surprise.
The necklace’s market value was nowhere near two million.
Yet Luca had casually added more than a million dollars in a single bid.
Seeing everyone’s reactions, Luca smiled.
"It’s a charity auction."
He shrugged lightly.
"Consider it my contribution." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
No further bids followed.
The auctioneer recovered first.
"Two million dollars going once!"
"Going twice!"
"Going three times!"
Bang!
"Sold!"
"Congratulations to Mr. Luca Hale for acquiring the Winter Lotus Emerald Necklace for two million dollars!"
Applause filled the ballroom.
Even Tristan was stunned.
Two million dollars.
Just like that.
For the first time, uncertainty crept into his mind.
’Who exactly is this guy?’
Before the auction even ended, Luca completed the payment through the VIP terminal.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully spent $2,000,000 on Naomi Monroe.]
[Critical Hit Reward Triggered.]
[Reward: Koenigsegg One:1.]
Luca’s eyes brightened.
A Koenigsegg One:1.
Only a handful existed worldwide.
Even billionaires couldn’t simply buy one whenever they wanted.
That reward was worth far more than the money he’d just spent.
A few minutes later, a staff member carefully delivered the necklace.
The emerald glowed beautifully beneath the ballroom lights.
Luca turned toward Naomi.
"Come here."
Naomi obediently brushed her hair aside.
Luca lifted the necklace and gently fastened it around her neck.
The emerald rested against her fair skin like it had been made specifically for her.
The surrounding guests couldn’t help admiring the sight.
Naomi looked breathtaking.
Her heart swelled with happiness.
Although she had suspected Luca wanted the necklace for her, actually wearing it was an entirely different feeling.
"Luca..."
Her voice softened.
"This is too expensive."
"Two million dollars for a necklace..."
Luca adjusted the clasp and smiled.
Then he looked into her eyes.
"Compared to you?"
He shook his head.
"Two million dollars isn’t worth mentioning."
Naomi’s face flushed.
The warmth in his voice dissolved the last of her resistance.
Without thinking, she wrapped both hands around his arm and leaned closer.
The rest of the auction passed quickly.
Eventually, guests began leaving the ballroom.
As he stood up, Tristan cast one final venomous glance toward Luca.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
