Chapter 2

The show officially began, and Camila made her grand entrance as the specially invited guest, appearing as the finale act.

She wore a stunning red gown, her delicate features framed perfectly, while the "Starry Night" necklace adorning her graceful neck instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Starting bid: 10 million dollars." This was the highest opening bid of the entire auction. The moment the auctioneer's voice fell, gasps echoed throughout the venue.

Clifford sat in the front row VIP section, his fingers casually tapping the armrest, though his gaze imperceptibly lingered on Camila's face.

The jewelry seemed redundant—she herself was more captivating than any of these material objects.

So when the auctioneer announced the ten-million-dollar starting bid, Clifford didn't even lift an eyelid.

"Twenty million dollars."

He directly added ten million dollars.

"Thirty million dollars."

"Forty million dollars."

"Fifty million dollars."

Within just a few minutes, the price had been driven up to fifty million dollars.

The hands that had been eagerly raised earlier now discreetly lowered.

Clifford's amber eyes stared directly at Camila on stage, one hand holding a cigar, as if declaring his ownership.

Suddenly, the auction hall doors were forcefully pushed open, and laughter came from the back row, "Sixty million dollars."

That familiar voice—Camila looked toward the entrance to see Albert had somehow taken a seat in the diagonal back section, his deep, affectionate eyes filled with love, fixated on the necklace around Camila's neck.

Clifford whipped around, his chair legs scraping against the floor with a harsh screech, "Seventy million dollars."

"Eighty million dollars." Albert leaned back in his chair, smiling without warmth. "I would have been happy to let Mr. Thompson have it, but unfortunately, I want to give it to my fiancée."

When Albert mentioned "fiancée," Clifford's expression turned to a cold sneer. His well-defined hand raised again, "One hundred million dollars."

The auctioneer's voice trembled, and camera shutters clicked frantically throughout the audience.

The air between the two men seemed to freeze, their very breathing charged with gunpowder. Surrounding guests stepped back, afraid of being caught in this storm.

Just then, Camila suddenly stepped down from the display platform. A subtle smile played at the corners of her mouth as her lips parted slightly, "Since Mr. Thompson likes this necklace so much, Albert, why don't you be magnanimous?"

Clifford's fist clenched instantly, the rage hidden in his heart igniting in a flash. "No need."

This was her warning—whenever anything touched her boundaries, she would deliberately show intimacy toward other men to pressure him.

The damnable thing was, he knew it all, yet still couldn't resist.

"Forget it, it's just a necklace. I'm not interested."

In the end, Albert won the necklace for the astronomical price of one hundred million dollars.

Thunderous applause erupted. Camila calmly removed the necklace and personally delivered it to Albert.

They shared a smile, and Albert wrapped his arm around her shoulder. An overwhelming kiss descended, causing many to scream with excitement.

...

After the auction ended, Camila walked in her high heels with Albert following behind, his fingertips lightly touching her gown, the cool metal sensation transmitting through the thin fabric.

They returned to the lounge together. Albert's voice betrayed no emotion, seemingly casual yet loaded with meaning, "Clifford has never been interested in jewelry and such things."

His voice was low, carrying a barely perceptible note of inquiry. "I'm curious why he showed such interest in the necklace this time."

Camila seemed completely oblivious, calmly walking to the mirror and using a cotton pad with makeup remover to remove her false eyelashes. "I find it strange too. Maybe he has someone he likes now."

"Is that so?"

Albert moved to her side, gently encircling her waist with both hands, deeply inhaling the fragrance from her hair.

"I can't help but feel he was there for you."

Camila covered her lips and laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with a hint of playfulness. "Really? Would that scare you?"

"You can't stop other men from having feelings for you, but don't worry—you should know that you're the only one I love."

She playfully planted a kiss on Albert's cheek, though her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"That's true."

Albert lovingly inhaled her natural scent—this woman was like opium, full of temptation, impossible to resist.

Yet he couldn't prevent her from attracting other men.

As Camila stood before the vanity mirror preparing to remove her makeup, the zipper of her dress suddenly loosened at the waist.

She instinctively looked over, catching only a glimpse of the undeniable heat in Albert's eyes.

Everything was understood without words.

"Do you want to?"

She looked up with a light laugh, teasingly poking his chest.

Albert nodded eagerly, his pupils filled with desire.

Camila let her hands fall naturally, allowing the dress to slide to the floor.

But the next second, she pressed against his chest.

"Someone could come in here at any time."

"It's fine, I locked the door. No one can get in."

He wasn't one for reckless behavior, but the woman before him could effortlessly ignite his desire, making him unknowingly and willingly offer everything.

"That necklace is worth one hundred million dollars."

"But I think... it still doesn't match your worth."

Camila smiled, reaching up to touch the necklace at her throat.

"Is that so?"

"Perhaps we can find a way to make the most of its value."

The next second, she removed the necklace and used it to bind Albert's hands to the table leg in the lounge.

Albert's expression froze, instinctively refusing.

"Don't..."

"Don't?"

Camila sneered, using a makeup brush to lift Albert's chin. "Darling, how did you forget again that between you and me..."

She paused, biting the tip of his nose. "You never have the right to refuse."

Albert swallowed hard, unable to say a word.

Time passed minute by minute, and the night outside grew deeper.

...

Afterward, Albert's body trembling as he gently pressed her shoulder, removing the ornament from her head. "Mom wants me to bring you home for dinner and discuss the wedding."

Wedding?

Camila smiled without speaking, though her other hand unconsciously clenched. "That sounds good. You're so busy with work—if we married right now, it might interfere with things."

"But don't worry, I'll have a good talk with them."

Such thoughtfulness made Albert feel somewhat guilty. He pulled her tightly into his embrace. "Once I sort out current matters, I'll marry you."

"I know you've always been understanding, never making things difficult for me."

"Of course."

Camila gently patted his back, providing the emotional support he needed, though now wasn't the time for marriage.

"Alright, go wait for me in the parking garage. I'll come down after I change."

After changing clothes and walking to the parking garage, as soon as the car door opened, Albert said with a slight frown, "Emily went to my house."

This name was something they both understood but had never discussed openly.

But this time, Emily had dared to go to the Garcia Mansion—it seemed things were about to escalate.

Camila nodded understandingly, adjusting her position. "It's okay, I'll go back with you."