Natalia was furious.
"If you can joke about such things, I can see what you are like in your personal life, Miss Nadia."
Nadia's face didn't change. She'd probably heard that sort of talk enough not to care.
Her eyes still gazed straight at Archie.
"Consider it, Mr. McCarthy?"
Natalia wanted to pounce on her and claw her face off. She grit her teeth, grabbed Archie's elbow and said, "Darling, I like those earrings."
Archie nodded pamperingly. "Okay. I'll buy it for you."
Seeing that, Nadia seemed a bit disappointed.
Archie finally looked at her. His eyes were chilly. "Miss Nadia, I know what you're planning, but apologies. I'm not your prey. A woman like you..."
He thought about it until he landed on a more appropriate phrasing. "I'm not interested in a woman I can buy."
Nadia's face changed subtly.
"What do you mean by that, Mr. McCarthy? I..."
Max cut in. "All right, fine, skip the explanation. We all know what the Naran family gets up to. You're coming up to Archie over and over today not for that hairpin or this pair of earrings, aren't you! You just want to attract Archie's attention, because he's already on your list of people to make connections with, isn't he?"
Nadia's expression was quite stiff.
All these years, this was the first time she came up on someone like this. Not only rejecting her advances, but putting her on the spot in front of so many people.
Max seemed to think that wasn't enough and mocked, "Don't worry, lady, Archie's always been a strait-laced guy. A woman even I don't want, he wouldn't take even if she was gift-wrapped."
Natalia smiled and didn't speak.
Nadia's face shifted about, and she maintained a stiff smile at the end.
She replied, "If you like joking around this much, Mr. Nixon, I'll invite you to drink someday, where we can joke around as much as we want. In a scene like this, however, it's best to be cautious. I'm representing the Naran family as I attend the auction today, and I'm not here to trade insults!"
Max grimaced and didn't reply to her.
Nadia finally returned to her seat.
Archie got the earrings in the end.
Later on, Max also bought up a delicate little thing in the form of a red coral bracelet. She asked him why, but he didn't reply, playing up the mystery.
Natalia suddenly remembered that it was Laura's birthday in a few days, and she understood.
But she didn't call Max out to his face.
After all, if they wouldn't say it, he probably didn't want people to know, so Natalia wasn't going to put it up for discussion.
With the auction over, the three were about to leave when a man walked over.
"It's been a while, Mr. McCarthy."
The three stopped. The man was in his thirties, wearing a silver-grey suit, appearing noble, even royal. His skin was pale and smooth, and he had a gentle smile that seemed to speak of spring comfort.
Natalia's first impression was that this man must be quite high in status.
He might have had a smile on his face, but his aura of irreproachable power and authority was undeniable.
Archie nodded mildly at him. "It's been a while, Mr. Lafayette. I didn't think you'd be here personally."
Mr. Lafayette smiled. "I haven't been back to Ambario in a hot minute. I was just taking this opportunity to tour the place. I have to say, the nation's changed a lot. I don't recognize a lot of place anymore."
Archie chuckled. "The country has been developing rapidly these few years. If you're interested, Mr. Lafayette, you could stay Ambario for a while longer."
Mr. Lafayette nodded. "I actually was planning on that. If you're free, Mr. McCarthy, I might disturb your household for a time."
"If you would attend, Mr. Lafayette, it would be an honor."
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