Invisible To Her Bully (Jessa and Noah) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 First Encounter

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The man who walked in was Draven. His presence alone was enough to make people hold their breath. Even from a distance, that kind of power could crush anyone in the room. He was born to lead.

Beside him stood Eric and his personal assistant, Seven Hanson. But it was obvious who the real king was.

Draven’s eyes swept across the crowd and landed on Cassia. For a moment, her heart skipped a beat.

Cassia quickly looked away.

What on earth is this reaction? Why would I feel like this just from looking at him?

Draven had noticed her, too. Her skin was pale, her waist slender, and her legs long under the jeans.

His throat moved slightly before he realized it.

Eric followed Draven’s gaze and spotted Cassia. He almost whistled.

“Man, good taste. She’s young, but you can tell she’s going to be a stunner. Maybe you don’t need that miracle doctor after all-” Eric went on and on from the side.

Before he could finish, Draven’s icy glare cut through the air like a blade. Eric instantly mimed zipping his mouth shut.

The auction was about to begin. Jake pulled Cassia down beside him near the front row.

Draven sat just a few rows behind Cassia. She could feel it–the weight of his gaze, sharp and unrelenting. It made her uneasy, like someone was watching her every move.

Then, the auction finally began.

The lights dimmed slightly, and all eyes turned toward the stage.

“This painting,” the host announced with excitement, “is an original by Leonardo da Vinci–an extremely rare masterpiece. We’ll start the bidding at 20 million dollars.”

The moment he finished speaking, voices rose from every corner of the room.

“Twenty–one million!”

“Twenty–two million!”

“Thirty million!”

Every guest in the room was wealthy, the kind of people for whom money was just a number.

The host’s face glowed with excitement. “Do I hear anything higher than 30 million?”

“Fifty million,” came a deep, calm voice from the back.

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Chapter 4 First Encounter

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Gasps rippled through the audience. Heads turned instantly. Whoever made that bid was no ordinary buyer.

“Fifty million once! Twice! Sold! Congratulations, Mr. Ward!”

Eric gave a satisfied nod from his seat. Mission accomplished. His grandfather would be thrilled.

Russ Ward was known to be a die–hard Da Vinci fan. He adored the artist’s work, especially anything that resembled fine handwriting or brushwork. To him, this wasn’t just a painting; it was a treasure he had sworn to win, no matter the price.

Even the auction house hadn’t expected it to sell for such an outrageous amount.

After a few more antiques from other eras went up, Cassia still wasn’t interested.

None of them was what she came for.

There were eight items in total that night. Only the last one, the star of the evening, mattered to her. She was determined to get the ruby.

“Cassia,” Jake muttered, uneasy, “we might not get this ruby unless Draven sits this one out. He’s been quiet all night. What if he’s waiting for this ruby too?”

“It’s fine,” Cassia said calmly. “It’s just bidding–I’ll keep going until he gives up.” Her tone was so casual, it sounded like she was talking about buying an apple instead of a hundred–million–dollar gem.”

Holy shit! That’s a hundred–million–dollar gem! Well, but this is Cassia. She could afford this.

Jake twitched his lips slightly.

Finally, it was time for the main event of the night. The ruby was carefully placed inside a secure glass case and pushed onto the stage. Under the lights, it gleamed with a fiery glow–each facet sparkling with brilliance. The craftsmanship was exquisite, every reflection catching the crowd’s breath.

Cassia’s eyes locked on it instantly. Beautiful.

Gasps and whispers rippled through the audience.

“Draven, look,” Eric said excitedly. “That’s the legendary ruby everyone’s been talking about. Isn’t it stunning?” He was thrilled just to see it up close. He had already bought what he wanted earlier, but this gem was way out of his league.

Draven gave a cold hum, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

“It’s impressive. My grandfather will love it.”

Eric chuckled as he waited for that girl to fool herself. “That girl hasn’t looked away once. She’s clearly after it too. But honestly, that’s a losing battle. She doesn’t know who she’s dealing with.”

“Appearance could be deceiving,” Draven said coolly. “Save your breath.” There was something about that girl that unsettled him. Her bright blue eyes were impossible to read. Calm, but not empty. Mysterious,

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Chapter 4 First Encounter

like a storm hidden beneath still water.

It was the first time anyone had made him feel that way.

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Eric glanced at Draven and quickly shut his mouth. Draven’s instincts were rarely wrong. He better stop embarrassing himself.

The crowd waited eagerly, eyes fixed on the stage. Excitement buzzed in the air.

Draven sat with quiet confidence. These auctions weren’t for just anyone; only the most elite families. could even qualify to bid.

His estate was filled with antiques rarer than most muscums. For a top–tier family like the one he came from, this was nothing to him.

Finally, the host raised the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. The bidding for the ruby begins now! Starting price–80 million dollars!”

Jake’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “That’s batshit crazy! 80 million?” He could feel his heart pounding. He sneaked a glance at Cassia beside him. She looked completely calm, not even blinking. Not surprised, not impressed. Just Cassia.

“Ninety million!”

“One hundred million!”

“One hundred ten million!”

Cassia sat quietly, watching everything unfold.

“Cassia, what do you think? Are we bidding?” Jake asked, his voice trembling with excitement. His blood was pumping like he was in the middle of a battlefield.

Cassia nodded slightly and raised two fingers.

“Two hundred million!” Jake shouted, holding up the bidding paddle. The room went silent for a moment before gasps filled the air. Several bidders who had been ready to compete instantly backed off.

Eric glanced at Jake. This guy doesn’t know his limits.

He leaned closer to Draven and whispered, “That girl’s going up against you. Give her a little reality check, huh?” He smirked, clearly enjoying the show.

Draven glanced at Cassia, his lips curving faintly. His expression was proud, almost arrogant. That girl really doesn’t know her limits, does she?

Moments later, Seven raised his paddle. “300 million.”

Wow, money is paper for these big shots!

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Chapter 4 First Encounter

Eric’s jaw dropped.

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