Chapter 43
The auction event had uneventfully gone on for few minutes, hours even, but Ivory wasn’t quite sure how long had passed, as she had been focused on something else.
The constant prick and irritating feeling of her contact lenses coming out of place.
With the amount of blinking she had been doing, it was only natural that they felt loose, and as such, she made the decision to go to the restroom and take them out.
Lucien, who had been watching her, immediately noticed her discomfort and asked. “You okay, v?”
“My lenses,” She hinted, trying to soothe the pricking feeling with the pad of her thumb as she robbed gently against her eye lids. “I need to take them out for a bit.”
Nodding, Lucien extended his hand. “Here, I’ll help you.”
“It’s fine, I can handle it by myself.” Ivory tried to refuse his offer. She didn’t want to draw any more attention to herself, than she had already done at the entrance.
No thanks to Evangeline!
“And risk you poking your eyes?” Lucien frowned. “I’ve seen that once and certainly don’t want to witness it a second time. Now, come on.
Realizing that it was better to listen, Ivory gave in and placed her hand in Lucien’s. She grabbed her eye drop out of her purse as they got up and headed towards the female restroom.
“I’ll stay outside, call if you need anything.”
“Okay,” She muttered and headed into the restroom.
Once inside, Ivory quickly tried to pull the disturbing lenses out. But after a couple of tries, she huffed in defeat.
“Lucy,” She called and in seconds, Lucien cautiously stuck his head into the restroom.
She pointed at her face, looking a bit ridiculous, and said. “Help, I can’t take the contact out.”
Despite the situation, a light chuckle slipped Lucien’s lips.
“Alright, alright,” He said and approached her. Standing in front of her, he placed his hand on her shoulder, gently nudging her down.
“Lean closer to me, that’ll make it easier for you to take the lens out.”
She did as instructed and leaned her head a bit lower, so Lucien could properly do his work.
“Stay still, now.” He instructed and gently, his bands cupped the side of her face and gently rubbed the corner of her eye and slowly, he was able to ease the lens out.
“Done,” He announced, holding the defeated lenses in front of her.
“Thank-” Her words suddenly died on the top of her tongue as she caught a figure exiting the restroom, the door sliding close as they walked out.
It had happened too fast and for a split second, she believed her mind had been playing tricks on her, taking advantage of the fact that the of her contact was out, because she could have sworn the figure leaving looked like Gadreel.
“Is something wrong?” The sound of Lucien’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“N–no,” She stuttered and glanced in the direction the figure had disappeared to, but saw no
one.
Maybe she had really been seeing things.
“You sure you’re okay?” Lucien couldn’t help but glance at where she had been looking. His gaze lingered for a few seconds before he asked. “Was someone there?”
“No,” Ivory shook her head. “It’s just me being silly.” She dismissed the topic immediately, not wanting to think too much about something so unimportant and reached for the eye drop on the counter, handing it over to Lucien.
‘Help me with this so that we can head back.”
Lucien’s eyes lingered on her for a bit longer before nodding and agreeing to help her with the
contact.
‘Stay still,” He instructed once more and she did. Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulders, holding her in place as his other hand moved up to her face.
With utmost gentleness, his thumb carefully pulled down her lower lid and he skillfully placed the contact in, followed by a drop of eye drop.
The moment Ivory felt the liquid enter her eye, her nose wrinkled at the sudden coldness.
Lucien chuckled at this.
“You’re a big girl, I can’t believe you can’t apply a drop by yourself.” He teased and Ivory lightly pinched his hand.
“Shut up,” She muttered, blinking a few times to taste the waters.
Luckily, it was placed in perfectly this time around.
“Thanks,” She said and together they walked out of the restroom. “How’s our exhibition
walked back towards the hall.
going?” She asked as the “?
“Mr. Hutchinson has promised that it’s ready. The question is, are you?”
“Of course I am.” Came Ivory response, but she didn’t expect the very next second, Lucien
would stop and pull her along with him.
“And Arnett, is she ready?”
Ivory hesitated for a few seconds. Revealing she was Arnett to a room of only God knows how many people, was not on her auction bingo list… especially with Gadreel in there.
“I don’t think anyone needs to know that,” she responded. “They already know I’m Elixiron’s CEO, that’s gonna put a lot of eyes on me, so for now, let’s keep the little Arnett thingy
between us.‘
Lucien was silent for a few seconds, then he flashed her his usual big brotherly smile.
“As you wish.” Pointing towards the auction hall ahead, he suggested. “We’re going to be late for our own auction, let’s go, shall we?”
Ivory couldn’t help but smile back. She had the best brother figure and she was thankful that despite her decision, he had accepted it without questioning her.
“Yeah,”
They returned to their respective seats just in time for Elixiron’s auction.
“And ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, tonight’s item of honor, the very first sample of Elixiron’s very own Bioengineered drug and bioelectronic device; Essence of Oblivion!” The host announced, and the lights dimmed and a spotlight shone on the case which contained the a drug and a slim flexible transparent patch about the side of a miniature playing card.
Whispers broke out across the crowd as people stole curious glanced at the drug.
“And tonight, we’ll all have the honor of witnessing the new CEO of Elixiron, herself, oversee this auction. Ms. Ivory Remington, please come forth.”
A loud applause went out as the host gestured for her to take the stage.
Lucien smiled and nudged her forward. “Go on, you’re the star of the show tonight.”
Ivory nodded and stood up, heading to the stage.
“Wow, who knew the current CEO was so young and pretty.” Mr. Hutchinson hyped. “The press is going to go crazy.”
Ivory ignored this comment and focused on the task at hand. Taking the mic, she began her speech, which was a scripted one.
“Hello ladies and gentleman,” She greeted and the audience returned the
reeting.
“As the host said, I am the current CEO of Elixiron Pharmaceutical, pleasure to meet you all, Today, I am presenting to you the Essence of Oblivion. It’s a Bioengineered device and drug, consisting of the Cardiovita, a revolutionary bioelectronic device paired with a Nano medicine
diseases. It acts as both a solution that offers a high probability of curing advanced he
regenerative stimulator and a real–time monitor after being applied directly to the heart tissue during minimally invasive surgery.
And when paired with the NanoSolution, An injectable nanomedicine administered alongside the device to facilitate recovery and ensure long–term effectiveness, chances of Restore heart tissue to near–normal functionality, Elimination of existing damage caused by chronic heart disease and Prevention of future occurrences of heart–related complications, has been boosted to 85 percent success rate.”
The crowd gasped at this.
“And yes, I assure you, the drug And device is tested, trusted and approved by our most experienced medical personnel. So, without further ado, I’ll start the auction. The bidding price is opening at ten million Euros.”
Immediately after the price was announced, someone in the crowd raised their paddle.
“We have a bidder. Thank you, sir.”
Ivory nodded at the staff who had announced the bidder.
“Twelve Million.” A new bidder called out.
“Fifteen,”
“Eighteen Million.”
“Nineteen Five.”
Just when it seemed like the price had gone high enough, another guy raised his paddle. ” Twenty five million, but not for the invention,”
Confusion spread across the room and even Ivory was confused.
“Pardon?” She asked.
“Your company’s invention is wonderful and all, but I think we can all agree that the real interesting thing is right before our eyes.” His eyes shamelessly racked over Ivory’s figure and
he smiled.
“I’ll
give you a
with you.”
a better offer, Ms. Remington, thirty five million, for both the drug, and a date
Gasps and whispers broke out in the room as the man finished his statement.
Ivory however, had been completely thrown off and the shock on her face was evident.
However, before she could even speak, someone else raised their paddle and called out.
“Fifty million.”
All heads, Ivory’s included, snapped in Gadreel’s direction.
“Fifty million?” Someone whispered. “Does he want a date that bad?”
The comment caught Gadreel’s attention and at once, he squashed the rumors before it could even begin.
“I only want the drug alone.” He looked down at Evangeline and smiled softly. “The bids for Evangeline.”
The tender expression on his face as he said this made the ladies watching drool with envy.
“Lucky her,” Someone whispered. “How many men are Willing to pay 50 Million Euros for their girlfriends.”
“I really wish I can find a man such as Mr. Odegaar.” Another added.
Several more people expression her envy for Evangeline’s luck and amidst all this, Ivory could only but stare at Gadreel with a blank face.
Was that his way of humiliating her? Of showing that her presence wasn’t worth the bother? Ah, if that’s the petty game he wanted to play, then she could equally play it.
“Fifty million Euros, going once, twice, and sold!” Mr. Hutchinson announced, but the very next second, Ivory voice cut through his announcement.
“Not sold.” She objected, earning the confusion of the crowd and a frown from Gadreel. “I apologize but, this bid is only open to certain people. Unfortunately, Mr. Odegaar,” Ivory held his gaze with a subtle smile. “You are not qualified.”
“What?”
“How’s that possible?”
“Mr. Odegaar didn’t qualify?”
“Since when does a rule like this exist.”
Whispers of such broke out across the room and soon, everyone who had witnessed the situation was demanding answers.
“This is the first I’ve heard of such!” Someone said.
“Since when does such a bizarre rule exist? If you’re too young and new to know what to do, get down!” Another demanded, followed by another.
Soon, the room was filled with people saying Ivory didn’t know what she was doing and should be taken down from the stage.
However, before things could get too heated, Lucien’s voice sounded out,
“Everyone, please calm down,” Taking to the stage and standing beside Ivory with a microphone of his own, Lucien explained. “This may seem like a new and sudden rule, but
please know, it wasn’t evoked by Ms. Remington herself.”
Then who evoked such a useless rule!”
“Arnett,”
The room, once filled with noise, suddenly went dead silent and Lucien smiled.
“The rules were set by Arnett herself, so, please if you have an issue with it, you’re welcome to keep quiet, because your opinion won’t change a thing.“
