Chapter 710

Edward passed by us, handing Gavin a paddle with a number on it. Gavin nodded his thanks before Edward went around the room, passing paddles to all the gentlemen and a couple of women who had powerful auras.

Levi and Lila sat in the same row as us, though they were a few seats away.

I admired how confidently Gavin sat; I knew he was planning something, I just wasn't sure what it was, and I wasn't sure if he'd tell me if I asked him, at least not here. He wouldn't. I glanced over at Levi and saw him grinning at Lila. They were also planning something. I just hoped that Gavin was one step ahead of him.

"I can feel your anxiety," Gavin whispered from beside me.

"This is just a lot," I admit. "I feel like I don't belong here."

His fingers wrapped around mine in a gentle handhold. He squeezed my hand gently.

"You belong by my side," he reminded me. "Where I am, you belong."noveldrama

I felt my cheeks warming at the sincerity in his tone and at his words. Before I could reply, the auctioneer returned to the podium and tapped the mic a couple of times to test it.

I heard the soft humming of the cameras starting to roll, and the light around the room dimmed. A spotlight appeared on the stage, highlighting Edward as he stood at the podium.

One of the cameramen gave Edwards a thumbs up, and Edwards cleared his throat.

"Good evening, folks. We are about to start the auction. Today's auction is a donation to the Cancer Center. Every cent we make today will go straight to their donation funds, so we appreciate you all for being here. The center holds a spot in the owner of this museum's heart. Cassandra William's mother had recently passed away from her long battle with cancer. Let us all hold a moment of silence out of respect."

The room fell silent; not even a hushed whisper could be heard. A woman stood off on the side of the stage, her head bowed and her eyes red from the tears she had cried. She was a gorgeous woman with shimmering blonde hair and a silver gown. Her fair complexion was radiant under the crystal chandelier. I had seen her featured in magazines before, and I knew right away that she was Cassandra Williams, a famous artist. This was her museum, and I was honored to be in the space.

The auctioneer, Edward, cleared his throat.

"Very good," he said, breaking through the silence that nearly consumed us. "Now we are starting off with a priceless artifact... a pendant with the rarest red ruby, surrounded by the rare blue diamond. It was named the Fire Cry pendant; the ruby presented the fire, and the diamonds represented the tears. It's worth $100,000 on the market, and it was given to us by Madam Eliana of the Westwood pack, passed down by generations."

Cassandra walked out, wheeling a small cart that held the pendant on display for the room to see. There was a camera zoomed in on it as well, which brought the pendant to a big screen on the stage for us to get a closer look.

It was gorgeous, and my chest tightened when he said that it cost $100,000. If

this is what we were starting off with, I couldn't imagine what the rest of the auction was going to be like.

I wondered why Madam Eliana

would want to sell such a priceless heirloom, I've learned of her schoot she was a heiress in the Westwood pack. her father was a rich Alpha, and though they aren't as rich as Gavin's family, or as powerful, they have made a name for themselves.

Eliana had taken over the pack as one of the first female Alphas after her father's death a few years ago. I was surprised that she was selling this necklace because it once betonged to her grandmother.

"We will start the bid off at $100,000," Edward continued.

A few paddles went up, including Levi's. Lila beamed, and I knew he was trying to

win the pendant for her.

$110,000," Levi said, a smug smile on his face.

"$110,000, am I hearing $120,000?" Edward asked the room.

A few paddles went up, but not as many as the last time.

$150,000,” Levi said confidently.

“$150,000... am I hearing $160,000?” Edward asked.

Only one other paddle went up.

I glance at Gavin to see if he was seeing this, and as amazed as I was, he was

too focused on his phone. He was typing away, texting somebody, and my brows furrowed at the sight.

$200,000," Levi-announced, his voice

booming across the room. A few gasped; that was double the asking price, and the fact that he can throw money around like that was jaw-dropping, especially considering this wasn't his main focus.

"$200,000, am I hearing $210,000?" Edward asked.

There was silence; no paddle went up, and Levi sat back in his seat, a smile on

his face while Lila beamed with excitement.

"$200,000, going once... going twice..."

Gavin, who was typing on the phone up until that point, stood to his feet, his paddle high in the air.

"$500,000."