Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Arrogant and Conceited

The private booths at the auction were separated by movable partitions.

The attendees of the auction were all wealthy and influential, but there were also many who had paid their way in simply to seek out opportunities.

The organizers were happy to provide them with that opportunity.

So, if both parties agreed, the lock on the partition could be opened and the panel moved aside.

After a moment of silence, a knock sounded on the partition.

Cecilia Croft had no intention of responding.

But Jasmine Vance stood up, unlocked the partition, and slid it open a crack.

Cecilia Croft raised an eyebrow and looked over, her eyes meeting the deep, profound gaze of Jude Sheridan, who was standing in the opening.

His eyes held a veiled displeasure, and his expression was somber.

Cecilia Croft arched a brow, her expression unchanging. As if looking at a complete stranger, she coolly averted her gaze and spoke to Jasmine Vance.

"Aren’t you coming back to watch the auction?"

Jasmine Vance grinned, clearly in high spirits.

"I was just curious. I wanted to see the piece of shit everyone’s fighting over."

She and Cecilia Croft had grown up together. A few years ago, when she found out Cecilia had given up returning to Karthus for a man, she’d cut off contact in a fit of pique.

They had since reconciled, but Jasmine Vance still had no interest whatsoever in meeting Jude Sheridan.

This was the first time she and Jude Sheridan had ever met.

Cecilia Croft: "..."

’It felt like Jasmine’s insult was aimed at her, too.’

Jude Sheridan’s face darkened. His gaze fixed heavily on Cecilia Croft as he started to step through.

Jasmine Vance sneered and threw out an arm to block him. The bodyguards standing in the shadows of the booth stepped forward, flanking her.

"The booth *I* booked isn’t a place for just any piece of filth to come wandering in."

Jude Sheridan’s expression hardened, his eyes locked on the beautiful figure seated in her chair.

"Cecilia, come here."

Cecilia Croft’s lips curved into a faint smile as she spoke softly.

"If I came over, your precious little side piece wouldn’t be able to wave so proudly. I’d hate to ruin your fun."

The color drained from Jessica Keller’s face, and her body went rigid.

Jude Sheridan’s expression wasn’t much better. He glared at her, his face grim.

Jasmine Vance signaled for her bodyguards to close the partition, but Jude Sheridan, his face like ice, raised a hand to stop them.

The atmosphere crackled with tension.

Jude Sheridan stared at Cecilia Croft. "Are you sure you’re not coming over?"

’This was the warning sign he was about to get angry.’

Cecilia Croft nodded. "I’m sure."

’In the past, she would have cajoled him, not wanting his anger to erode what they had. Now, she wouldn’t even blink if he dropped dead from rage right in front of her.’

"Mrs. Sheridan, we were just joking around. President Sheridan and you are getting married soon, how could he..."

The man who’d just been humbly asking Jude Sheridan for advice on how to keep two women at peace now tried to smooth things over for him.

Jasmine Vance cut him off before he could finish.

"Shut your damn mouth and stop spouting bullshit. Our Cecilia isn’t married, so don’t you dare lump her in with a piece of scum like him."

Jasmine Vance’s voice was loud, and the surrounding booths fell silent.

The man’s expression froze, but seeing the bodyguards at Jasmine Vance’s side, he didn’t dare say another word.

He had instantly recognized the insignia on the bodyguards’ uniforms. They were from the nation’s most elite security firm.

Hiring them cost a seven-figure sum. No one could afford such exorbitant security fees without an illustrious family background.

’Wasn’t Cecilia Croft from an ordinary family? The one who’d built everything from the ground up with Jude Sheridan?’

’How could she know someone from such a powerful family? And they seemed to be on very good terms.’

The others who had been about to step in wisely chose to remain silent.

Jessica Keller’s eyes were red as she rose from her seat, her expression one of profound humiliation.

"President Sheridan, please don’t fight with Cecilia over me and become a laughingstock for everyone. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t be here. I’ll leave right now."

Jude Sheridan frowned, and the hand holding the partition faltered slightly.

Cecilia Croft rose from her seat.

’Jude Sheridan’s wavering expression immediately firmed up. He knew it. He knew Cecilia Croft wouldn’t let him lose face in public. To appease her, he would, of course, tell Jessica Keller to leave.’

However, Cecilia Croft simply walked up to him, grabbed the partition, and slid it shut with a decisive click of the lock, blocking his view.

"Cecilia Croft!"

An enraged male voice roared from the next booth.

Cecilia Croft’s expression was placid as she returned to her seat.

Jasmine Vance followed, looking utterly delighted, and sat down.

"I thought you were going to go over to his side."

Cecilia Croft’s expression was distant as she gazed at the auction stage. "What, you think I have no self-respect?"

Sensing Cecilia’s low spirits, Jasmine Vance scooted closer, wrapped an arm around her, and pressed her cheek against Cecilia Croft’s.

"Of course not. At worst, you were just blind for a few years."

Cecilia Croft: "..."

The auction was due to start in a few minutes, but the commotion from the next booth showed no signs of dying down.

Jessica Keller’s soft sobs could be heard.

"It’s all my fault, that’s why President Sheridan and Miss Croft are fighting. I have to personally apologize to Miss Croft and explain that there’s nothing between me and President Sheridan."

No one else dared to speak. Only Jude Sheridan replied in a cool voice.

"That won’t be necessary."

The auction began its introductory announcements.

The sound of Jessica Keller’s quiet weeping could still be heard from time to time.

Finally, a representative from the auction house knocked on the door of Jude Sheridan’s booth.

"President Sheridan, we’ve received a complaint that the noise from your booth is disturbing another guest’s ability to follow the auction. I must ask you and your friends to please keep it down. I wish you all the best in acquiring the items you desire."

Jude Sheridan’s face turned livid.

Jessica Keller was still rigid from Cecilia Croft’s earlier humiliation and hadn’t dared to utter a word. But now, even a lowly staff member was bold enough to come and warn them? Her anger flared.

"We’re not the only ones making noise!"

Someone else chimed in.

"That person is probably just trying to use this as an excuse to get to know our President Sheridan, right? Let’s give him a chance. Tell him President Sheridan will cover his booth fee. As long as he comes over to apologize in person, we’ll consider the matter settled."

The commotion carried over to Cecilia Croft, and she couldn’t help but frown.

Jude Sheridan remained silent.

’Ever since Vantage went public, Jude Sheridan had been surrounded by sycophants like this.’

’Such arrogance and conceit would eventually be his downfall.’

The representative from the auction house offered a few more placating words before leaving.

Jude Sheridan, at least, was rational enough not to cause any more trouble, and no further commotion came from his booth.

Instead, he changed tactics. He began deliberately targeting Cecilia Croft and Jasmine Vance. Whenever they raised their paddles to bid, he would immediately raise his own to drive up the price.

Several items she bid on were snatched up by Jude Sheridan.

The man seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. He even sent her a provocative text.

See anything else you like? I’ll buy it all and send it to you.

Cecilia Croft replied: I don’t like a single piece of the garbage you just bought.

Jude Sheridan: Are you doing this on purpose?

Cecilia Croft glanced at her phone but didn’t reply, raising her paddle once more.

This time, Jude Sheridan didn’t follow suit, and Cecilia Croft won the item she wanted. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

’This bracelet would be perfect for her older sister. A gift for her return to Karthus.’

Jude Sheridan: Did you really think I was going to bid?

Cecilia Croft: Thanks, President Sheridan, for not bidding. You let me get what I wanted for a low price.

This time, Jude Sheridan didn’t reply.

’Cecilia Croft could already picture his face, cold and seething with frustration.’