Love Began with the First Meeting novel Chapter 209

With a click, a strong light was cast on a crystal tank on the dais.

The tank lit up everyone's eyes.

It was almost two meters high, shining iridescently under the light.

Inside the tank was something that really made people hold their breath - a mermaid, floating in the water.

Acting mermaid, Molly wore a costume with shimmering scales, covering her body from the soft breasts all the way down to the toes. The fishtail parts and fins wrapped her legs and feet in, showcasing a tempting curve. Her long hair hung loosely around her body, rippling in the flow of water like the softest silk. Brilliant light flooding into the tank fell on the crystal wall and reflected, ricocheting in every direction. The impression danced across her breathtaking body, coating her with a mysterious luminescence. Her bare skin seemed impossibly fairer in the swaying light. The whole scene was enthralling. Almost unreal.

The hall buzzed with boisterous excitement. For a moment everyone forgot about Pluto. The whole audience was blown away by the beauty of the mermaid, and none seemed to think straight anymore.

Pluto was lying serenely on Molly's cleavage. Somehow Philip managed to get the necklace fixed there. It didn't float in the water, but it swayed lightly along the flow. But all eyes were on her tempting bust which was half wrapped by scales.

It was uncomfortable. She wanted to say something but the words caught in her throat. She felt as though her throat was burning, yet she couldn't find the strength in her to open her eyes. The water covered her, pressed her and carried her along. Trapped and helpless, there was nothing she could do but wait for her salvation like a delicate mermaid.

In less than half a minute, the auctioneer's voice pulled everyone's mind back to the present,"Now, for Pluto, we'll start the bidding at 10 million dollars and a bid increment at 1 million!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Brian had already walked out, Eric trailing behind. Lenny and Tony followed. The four of them were well out of the hall when the first bid was called out.

Molly was revolving slowly in the tank while the bids shot up. It wouldn't be a bad deal even if Pluto couldn't lead them to the treasures. They could always sell it for a handsome profit.

In less than one minute, the bid went up to 20 million. It was a price that made a lot of people hesitate. But among today's guests, there was lots of old-money with a penchant for antiques. Once again, the Greek miniature would add an invaluable item to their collections.

The bid kept climbing until it hit the 40 million mark, where many quit the competition. That was beyond their means. No matter how much they craved Pluto, still they knew the rules here. It was death to write a bad cheque at Philip's auction.

The auctioneer glanced around the hall and repeated his words with practiced ease,"Are we all done at 40? Is anyone willing to bid higher?"

No one spoke a word, although everyone's breathing increased. Eyes fell on the foreigner who had just bid 40 million. Some, unwilling to give up kept weighing in their minds how much the necklace was worth. After a while, another man bid again. But that foreigner followed shortly, escalating the bid to 45 million after a few rounds.

The man's breathing quickened. He gritted his teeth hesitating, his eyes roaming from the mermaid's seductive body to the necklace on her cleavage.

Noticing the man's quailing, the foreigner curved his mouth contemptuously. The auctioneer waited for a moment and called out,"Any advance on 45 million? Anyone? 45 million going once, going twice. 45--"

"50 million!"

A cold voice rang out and people gasped in surprise.

Including that foreigner, everyone turned to look toward the door, where the voice had come from. A man in a black shirt and suit was standing in the doorway. The top two buttons were open, vaguely exposing his wheaten skin. He stood there loosely as any other ordinary man. Yet the chiseled lines of his incomparable face put their hearts in their throats.

Brian totally ignored the people in the hall. He narrowed his eyes and stared straight at the crystal tank. His face was impassive, his gaze cool as ice, giving nothing away. But everyone felt the danger hidden beneath his calm.

Just then Eric came in. His bright eyes darkened as he saw Molly dressed like a mermaid. His mouth was a cruel line, concealing the dark fury boiling in him.