"One hundred million?!"
A collective gasp rippled through the ballroom.
Everyone turned their heads.
And saw… Celia.
She stood in the far corner of the room, seemingly out of place with a bidding paddle raised in her delicate hand.
Celia blinked, stunned."…What?"
She hadn't moved a muscle. She hadn't raised a sign, hadn't even intended to participate in this ridiculous dance auction. She had been quietly watching from the sidelines.
But just moments ago, a flustered socialite next to her suddenly lifted the paddle, called out "One hundred million!"—then, in a panic, shoved the bidding sign into Celia's hand and vanished into the crowd.
Now, all eyes were on her.
"The winning bidder—please step forward and join Mr. Fu," the host announced cheerfully, striding toward her.
Before Celia could protest, she was gently but firmly pulled out from her corner and ushered down the long red carpet under dazzling lights. Her head spun, heart pounding, as she was guided directly to the center of the ballroom.
To him.
Nathaniel Fu.
He stood at the heart of the crowd, tall and composed, the elite of Yecheng clustered around him like satellites orbiting a planet. His eyes met hers.
His gaze was calm—too calm.
"Mr. Fu, I…" she began nervously, her voice soft.
But he cut her off, his voice low and smooth, like aged whiskey:"Do you want to dance with me?"
Celia froze.
"…What?"
Across the ballroom, Vivian felt her jaw drop.That was supposed to be her dance. She had practically secured it. And now, that country bumpkin—Celia—had swooped in?
With a bid of one hundred million?!
Impossible!
Vivian leapt to her feet. "Celia," she snapped, "don't make a scene. You can't possibly afford that. Do you even know what one hundred million means?"
Her mother, Mrs. Chen, quickly joined in. "Mr. Fu, don't be fooled. That girl—her name is Celia. She's a poor relation we brought in from the countryside. She couldn't afford ten thousand, let alone a hundred million!"
The rest of the Su family followed suit, rushing forward to stop the moment before it could unfold.
"She's uneducated and doesn't belong here!" Mrs. Chen continued. "She tricked her way into this dinner, and now she's trying to scam you into dancing with her!"
The crowd began to murmur.
"Wait, she's the one from the countryside?"
"Is that a scar on her face? Ugh."
"She bid one hundred million? She must be crazy. What a joke—thinking she could actually dance with Mr. Fu."
Vivian, seeing public opinion shift, curled her red lips into a satisfied smile.Let them tear Celia apart. Let Mr. Fu be disgusted by her.
This dance would still be hers.
Vivian stepped forward with a smug look. "Celia, stop humiliating yourself. Come down—"
She reached out to grab Celia's arm.
But she never made it.
Because Nathaniel Fu moved.
He stepped forward, his tall frame cutting sharply between the two women. His body shielded Celia completely, as if nothing—and no one—could touch her now.
Vivian's hand hovered mid-air before she jerked it back in shock. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
She looked up.
Nathaniel was staring straight at her.
His gaze was calm. Too calm.
It wasn't loud, but it was clear:Back. Off.
Vivian froze, confused and breathless.Why… why is he protecting her?
Celia, meanwhile, was nearly hidden behind Nathaniel's tall frame. He stood like a wall in front of her—silent, unmoving, protective.
Vivian tried again, her voice rising, desperate."Mr. Fu, we're not lying! Celia's just a poor girl from the countryside—she doesn't have the money! She's making a mockery of your event!"
Nathaniel slowly turned his head, eyes dark and steady.He looked at Celia.
"You don't have the money?" he asked softly.