Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
“I know, James.” Danika smiled and nodded. “I’ll contact you if I ever face a serious problem.”
The reason why she didn’t contact him was also because she knew that the authenticity of the painting would be proven after an appraisal. There was no need for her to trouble him.
“So, that’s Mr. Birkett’s last mentee?” someone asked timidly.
Danika smiled and said, “I’m glad everyone likes my mentor’s artwork. I’ll let him know about this. I’m sure he’ll be very pleased.”
The crowd went silent. Someone with insider information said softly, “I’ve heard before that Mr. Birkett took on his last mentee. The mentee is considered exceptionally gifted, and Mr. Birkett plans to train and make them his successor. Who knew we would see her in person today.”
They didn’t expect the mentee to be a woman, let alone such a beautiful one. The crowd was abuzz at once. The look that they gave Danika had slightly shifted as well. They didn’t treat her as just eye candy anymore. Danika didn’t acknowledge them. She was busy introducing the two.
“Gilbert, this is my senior, James Windsor.”
“James, this is my big brother, Gilbert Hawthorn.”
The two men nodded at each other and didn’t say much. James didn’t stay long. He left shortly after having a quick chat with Danika. He was swamped. If it weren’t for the news he had received about someone auctioning off an imitation of Mr. Birkett’s painting, he wouldn’t have rushed over either. However, when he saw the people bullying his junior when he arrived, he couldn’t take it. He instantly backed Danika up and realized there wasn’t any fake painting.
He had left, but the auction went on. After confirming the authenticity of the painting, the crowd went hard with their bids. Everyone wanted to get it. But the painting still ended up in Eustace’s hands. After all, very few people in Parrington could compete against him.
“What was the reason for this bid then?” Paul asked as he looked Eustace up and down.
“Grandpa’s birthday is coming soon, and he’s a big fan of Mr. Birkett. He would be over the moon to receive this painting as a gift. I was just worried about not being able to find a suitable gift, and now I’ve got it.” He laughed.
Paul was sipping his drink but was also thinking about something else. “I’m starting to become interested in that woman.”
“What?” Eustace thought he had misheard.
“Don’t you think that she’s very interesting?”
Paul looked at him and continued, “Not only is she a famous doctor, but she’s also Mr. Birkett’s last mentee. Who knows, she might have some other identity. Who wouldn’t be fascinated by a woman like her?”
Eustace’s expression immediately turned dark. “What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing much. If you’re not interested in her, I plan on getting to know her. It just so happens that my family have been urging me to find a girlfriend as well,” he said thoughtfully. He didn’t look like he was kidding.
Eustace didn’t say a word, but his expression said it all. Paul was entertained by this gloomy face of his.” Alright, I was just kidding. She’s not my type.”
“What’s her name? I’ll get someone to look her up,” he said.
“Dr. Zellweger,” Eustace responded.
Paul looked confused.
“I’m asking for her full name.”
Eustace shook his head. “Couldn’t find it out.”
“You didn’t manage to find out? This must mean that she’s not as simple as she seems.” Just because Eustace couldn’t find it out, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t. After all, they didn’t come from the same background.
“Let me know when you succeed.” He was also curious about how many secrets she was keeping.
Paul nodded. Sipping his wine, he said slowly, “Don’t you worry. I will make sure to find out everything about her.”
After the auction ended, it was time to socialize. Quite a few people were eager to approach Danika. After all, she was not only Gilbert Hawthorn’s sister, but also Mr. Birkett’s mentee. If they could be together with her, wouldn’t it be easy for them to have a meteoric rise in their career?
Danika didn’t know what these people were plotting. She was busy sulking. Ever since she knew Eustace got the painting, she had been upset. Although it was for charity, and it shouldn’t matter who it was sold to, she still felt disgusted knowing it was sold to Eustace.
“Does that guy even understand art? Don’t tell me he bought it for Faye again?” she thought.
For a moment, she regretted choosing this painting. She should have chosen another one. She went to hide in a corner with her drink in her hand. She smiled a little while watching Gilbert interact with the crowd with ease from a distance. Gilbert was starting to behave more and more like a high flyer.
She was deep in thought until someone came up to her. “Hi, miss. I’m Steven Dickman. Can we be friends?”
Danika raised her head to look at him. She frowned a little. He was a slightly fat man, and Danika found him repulsive. Especially those eyes that stared right at her, which made her highly uncomfortable. She stood up and responded directly, “Sorry, I don’t like making friends.”
After saying that, she was prepared to leave. She didn’t want to continue talking to him. However, Steven didn’t intend to let her go just like that. He immediately blocked Danika’s way.
“Miss Hawthorn, Parrington is a huge place. Gilbert won’t be able to protect you all the time. You might want to think before you speak.”
While he was speaking, Danika noticed a few more people had surrounded her. It was apparent that this fattie had come prepared. Danika put down the glass in her hand and scanned the place. Gilbert was nowhere to be seen. Someone must have used an excuse to bring him somewhere else. She wasn’t worried about Gilbert’s safety. With his current status, nobody would dare to touch him.
Looking at Steven, she did not panic at all. Instead, she kindly reminded him, “Mr. Dickman, I don’t wish to be violent today. Please ask your men to fuck off. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not being nice.”
It was a charity dinner, after all. She didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere.
However, Steven didn’t take her words seriously. He got more excited instead.
“Feisty. I like that. I wonder if you’ll be this feisty too later in bed!” He snickered.
Danika scowled immediately. She had already clenched her fists, ready to punch Steven anytime now.
“In broad daylight? Mr. Dickman, isn’t this a little inappropriate?”
At this very moment, a slightly frivolous voice rang. In the blink of an eye, this person appeared in front of Danika. Even though Danika had met many good-looking men, her heart skipped a beat when she saw this man in front of her. What a stud. Until today, the most handsome man Danika had seen was Eustace, but this man was actually on par with him. They were just two different types.
Eustace looked more cold and intimidating. On the other hand, this man…looked a bit more gentle.
“Max Pearson!” Steven gritted his teeth. “Since when have you started to stick your nose into other people’s business?”
“How could you call this sticking my nose into your business? I’m obviously saving the damsel in distress.” After saying that, he even raised his brows at Danika.
Danika was speechless. That was unnecessary. She didn’t even take Steven and his men seriously.
“What if I say that I must take her away tonight? Are you planning to go against my family?” Steven looked at Danika with a devilish look in his eyes.
He didn’t care who Danika was. As long as this woman was pretty enough, he must have her!
“So what if I am? Do you think I’m afraid of you?” There was a sudden shift in Max’s aura. It was as if he had turned into Asura, which made her shudder.
Danika turned to look at him. This man was…pretty intriguing. He appeared frivolous, but once he became serious, it was as if he had turned into another person. Just when the two men were deadlocked, Eustace and Paul came down from the second floor. When they saw Max appear, the two of them were startled. “Yo, we’re late. He’s one step ahead of you,” Paul gloated, purposely teasing Eustace.
Eustace scowled, “You think Max Pearson would actually be so kind?”
“That’s true. He’s probably plotting something evil,” Paul nodded and continued. “Too bad Dr. Zellweger doesn’t know that. Who knows, she might get deceived.”
Eustace didn’t say a word, nor did he go over there. He just observed from a distance.