The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 813

That night, the Solenia Convention Center buzzed with excitement. The rare pharmaceutical R&D auction, held only once every five years, was about to begin. Word had spread that some truly unique medicinal ingredients would be up for grabs, attracting people from all corners of the globe. The place was packed, the energy electric, and the scale of it all almost overwhelming.

In Solenia, money was everything. If you had enough of it, nothing was out of reach.

Hans was prepared. He had secured them one of the best seats in the house, with an unbeatable view of the stage. “Anthony, everything’s ready,” Hans said as he, Jackson, and Adonis fell in step behind Anthony and Charlotte, keeping a close watch on their surroundings.

Anthony took a quick look around, then gently led Charlotte up to their private seats on the second floor. From there, they could see everything—every move on stage and in the crowd below.

“Bring some snacks and fruit,” Anthony said as he sat down. He slipped off his jacket, rolled it up, and tucked it behind Charlotte’s chair. His voice was low and warm. “It might be a long night. This’ll make it a little more comfortable.”

“Okay,” Charlotte replied, settling back against the makeshift cushion. She pulled out her tablet and started scrolling through her notes.

Tonight’s auction was a big one. There were several drugs on the list that she needed. But she wasn’t the only one. If she wanted them, so would everyone else. The highest bidder always wins.

She pressed her lips together and glanced at Anthony, her eyes flickering with a hint of guilt. He was probably about to spend a small fortune for her sake.

Suddenly, there was a stir in the crowd. The unmistakable sound of bodyguards clearing a path echoed through the hall. Charlotte lifted her gaze, curiosity piqued.

In the VIP corridor, a tall man in a black trench coat appeared. Even surrounded by security, he walked with an effortless confidence, heading straight for the private boxes upstairs. From where Charlotte sat, she could only see his side profile—sharp features, a strong brow, and eyes that cut right through the crowd. His lips were pressed together, his expression cool and distant. He gave off an air of control and detachment, like he was carrying secrets no one else could see.

“Go broke?” Anthony chuckled softly, wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin. His eyes were full of quiet affection. “Taking care of you? I can handle it.”

Across the hall, Franco paused mid-step, as if he could feel someone watching him. He scanned the noisy crowd on the first floor, then looked up at the second. Only the most important guests were allowed up here. His gaze swept across the seats, finally stopping at the far left.

There, a girl in a white t-shirt and a hat was curled up in her chair, looking perfectly at ease as Anthony fed her pieces of fruit.

Something about her profile caught Franco’s eye. He frowned, a strange feeling stirring inside him, as if some forgotten memory had just been awakened.