Betrayal At The Altar

Chapter 586

Olivia Cruise took a moment before answering. Gracefully, she glided to the front and slid into the man’s arms. “Louis, what’s wrong? Why do you always look so absentminded these days?”

Louis Smith lowered his gaze and saw Olivia’s concerned expression, his heart throbbing with guilt that was difficult to break free from. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I’m alright. Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly.

“Louis, have I done something to upset you? Is there something I’m not doing well enough?” Olivia’s voice trembled as she bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears. Her pitiful and vulnerable expression made one’s heartache. “I used to think that I knew you so well. But I feel like we’re drifting further apart. and this scares me. It feels like I might lose you at any moment now.”

Olivia tightened her grip on Louis’s shirt. Her gentle voice trembled, “Please, be honest with me. Do you regret marrying me…”

Hearing her words, Louis frowned. A sense of guilt quickly overpowered the struggle within his heart.

He was well aware of the sufferings that Olivia had endured during this trying time, and he saw how tirelessly she had worked to keep up with him. Despite her lack of familiarity with the business world. Olivia had enrolled in a finance class and had done everything she could to support him in his pursuit. Even now, she was suppressing her fears and worries while being extra cautious of his well-being. As he reflected on his recent internal struggles, Louis was consumed by guilt and remorse.

Snaking his arm around her slim waist, Louis pulled Olivia closer and whispered reassuringly, “Why would you even think that? Even if we’ve been separated for three years, you’re still the woman I want to marry. So, why would I regret marrying you?”

“Are you sure?” Olivia subconsciously asked.

Louis nodded solemnly as he answered, “I mean it. Stop dwelling on this.”

Hearing his comforting words, Olivia’s eyes brimmed with tears of relief. With a gentle smile on her face, she nestled into his embrace.

Louis held Olivia close. He took a deep breath and silently vowed to dispel his restless thoughts.

He should not have any other thoughts now that they were legally married.

In fact, he would not have been alive today if Olivia had not shielded him with her delicate body during the car accident.

He owed his life to her.

Even if it was a way to repay her kindness, Louis could not disappoint her.

“Would you like anything from this auction? Shall I buy them for you?” Louis asked.

Olivia thought immediately of the final item the organizers had planned.

Although all the guests had arrived, the organizers had kept the final item a secret, refusing to reveal any information about it. This piqued everyone’s interest, and all the guests were curious to see what it was. If she could successfully bid for this item, it would be enough to attract everyone’s attention. Olivia’s eyes flickered at the thought. Casting her gaze to conceal her emotions, she murmured with contentment, “You are all I need.”

As she spoke, Olivia leaned in and gently pecked the corner of Louis’s lips.

Louis gazed at her fondly as he reminisced about their carefree days in university together.

Louis’s heart softened as he caressed her cheek lovingly, Gazing at her affectionately, he cooed, “Even after all these years, you have not changed.”

“It’s my fault for being so stubborn. Once I’ve set my eyes on someone, I want to spend the rest of my life with them,” Olivia Cruise replied.

“What a silly girl,” Louis chuckled.

As they chatted, the couple could hear the host announcing the official start of the auction.

Louis and Olivia exchanged a brief yet meaningful glance before returning to the private room.

All the guests had dabbled in the business world for many years and were well-versed with such events” social rules and norms. Everyone remained composed and patient after the auction began and was not in a hurry to make a move.

As such, the first few items were all purchased by bidders planted by the organizers. These bidders saved the organizer’s reputation and prevented an awkward situation where guests felt obligated to bid.

Since this was a charity banquet, all guests made a genuine effort to bid on the items, though some may have been motivated by their appearances.

Mary Green purchased several jewelry pieces and a Renaissance painting from the 1800s. At the same time. Rachel Grey idly flipped through a booklet until the host on stage announced the name of the following collection.

The host announced, “Next, we have an ivory-craved painter’s brush made with squirrel hair from the 1700s. The brush body measures approximately 8 inches in length. The starting price is set at 160 thousand dollars.”

Most attendees were young heirs and heiresses of wealthy families and had little interest in the cultural relics being auctioned. However, there were also several antique enthusiasts present.

In the eyes of industry experts, this brush held significant value.

As such, the price quickly soared to 300 thousand dollars.

Rachel lifted her sign and raised the price, “400 thousand dollars.”

Upon seeing Rachel’s bid, Olivia, who was sitting in the private room at the end, hastily raised the bidding sign in her hand as she declared, “440 thousand dollars.”

This painter’s brush held little value to Olivia. However, she could not bear to let Rachel get what she wanted.

Instinctively, Olivia would seize any opportunity to cause problems for Rachel.

However, her unusual action caught Louis’s attention.

Sensing Louis’s gaze, Olivia’s eyes showed a hint of panic. She quickly explained, “Grandpa Smith always loved these cultural relics, right? I once gave him a fake one at his birthday party, and I’ve felt guilty about it ever since. So, I want to bid for this one and gift it to him.”

Louis’s frigid gaze softened upon hearing her words.

He dismissed the suspicion in his heart.

Olivia silently heaved a sigh of relief at Louis’s softened expression.

In the next few bidding rounds, Olivia followed Rachel closely, raising the bid higher each time. It was as if the duo were natural rivals.

Meanwhile, Rachel also became aware that Olivia’s secret competition against her.

“Is she so obsessed with stealing what’s mine?” Rachel pondered.

Raising her brows, Rachel broke into a meaningful smile as she announced, “500 thousand dollars!”

This number sent a jolt through Olivia, and she raged.

Olivia cursed in her heart, This bit*h must have done it on purpose!

“Of all the possible prices, she had to offer 500 thousand dollars!

“Isn’t it clear that she’s taking this opportunity to criticize me!”

Secretly gritting her teeth, Olivia raised the sign and declared, “600 thousand dollars!”

“700 thousand dollars!” Rachel continued to bid.

“800 thousand dollars!” Olivia followed.

Experts in the industry knew that this painter’s brush was only worth 700 thousand dollars; anything more would be an overpayment.

However, Olivia had raised the bid to 800 thousand dollars.

No one knew if she was being wilful and arrogant or that she lacked intelligence despite her wealth.”

However, this interaction piqued the curiosity of the attendees.

Murmurs could be heard from the crowd, “It’s just a painter’s brush. Is it worth fighting over?”

“You don’t understand. Love can make people do crazy things like this.”

This heated exchange naturally led to discussions about the complicated love triangle between Rachel, Louis, and Olivia.

“Wow, Mr. Smith seems popular among the ladies!”

“So what if he is? The beauty has already been taken by someone else. It’s too late for him to regret it

now.”

The onlookers threw meaningful glances at one another and smiled.