Huo Shao Ting was frustrated. In his over thirty years of traversing the business world, he had never come across anything he couldn't handle. Yet he did not expect to be so stifled by a woman.
He had hundreds of reasons to replace her, but something felt off. He had to endure this humiliation for now!
As he glanced at Rong Dai treading carefully and prudently, he couldn't help but soften a little, thinking of her background.
"Turn around," the man's tone was still icy, but no longer angry, which made Rong Dai breathe a sigh of relief.
The design of this necklace was very strong. If the neck was a little shorter, or the skin not white enough, or the temperament lacking, this necklace's texture would not stand out.
But Rong Dai had a slender, fair neck. Wearing this necklace suited her extraordinarily well.
When Huo Shao Ting's fingertips touched her fair and delicate skin, his movements paused slightly. Staring at the back of her head, his gaze was profound.
He did not understand what this woman was thinking.
In all his years of bachelorhood, there were women who had pestered him, but he could discern their intentions with one look.
She was different. There was no light in her eyes when she looked at him.
And now, there was light in her eyes, but not because of him. This made Huo Shao Ting feel strangely uncomfortable.
"Does it fit?"
Rong Dai did not notice the complexity in his eyes. She glanced down at the necklace around her neck. This was her first time wearing such jewelry, so she subconsciously asked the person beside her.
"Barely," he grunted.
When she turned around, a hint of amazement flashed through Huo Shao Ting's eyes. Other than their wedding day, he had not seen her dressed up like this again.
Rong Dai felt a little disappointed, but without a mirror, she could not judge for herself either. She sat quietly without asking Huo Shao Ting anything else.
When the couple arrived at the venue, Huo Shao Ting courteously helped her out of the car. With V's help last night, she had hastily learned some etiquette for such occasions. Although still somewhat uncomfortable, her actions were elegant and dignified.
The two entered the venue hand in hand. Rong Dai noticed the venue was already full of people, with their seats right at the front. Even the wood of their table was made of precious redwood.
"President."
Seeing the couple arrive, Assistant Zhang heaved a huge sigh of relief.
From yesterday to today, the president's orders had left him scratching his head. Now, seeing the stunningly beautiful madam, he finally understood.
It was all to bring a smile to this beauty's face.
"Let's begin," Huo Shao Ting's expression was cold as ice, his tone always carrying a chill authority.
Rong Dai sat down with him, but the flashing photography lights around made her very uncomfortable. She was filled with unease, her face pale.
Huo Shao Ting noticed her discomfort and quickly typed a few words on his phone.
When Assistant Zhang saw the message, he couldn't help widening his eyes. Had the president gone mad?
Although this auction was funded by the Huo Corporation, it was a charity donation. The attendees were all the top dogs of Shengjing.
The purpose of attending such a charity auction was to build fame and reputation. If the reporters were chased away, why would these people still attend?
But he dared not say a thing, dare not ask a thing. He could only grit his teeth and carry out the orders.
When the reporters received such instructions, they immediately kicked up a fuss.
But Assistant Zhang had been by Huo Shao Ting's side for years. His capabilities were proven. In just a few minutes, hundreds of security personnel entered the scene, equipment was confiscated, people were escorted out.
But the faces of some influential figures were not looking too happy. They came to the charity auction for fame and reputation.
With the reporters gone, what was there to attend for?
Yet Huo Shao Ting seemed oblivious to the grumbling behind him. He just sent Assistant Zhang more instructions, leaving the poor man with a headache.
Rong Dai sat gracefully to one side the whole time, wondering why the reporters had left. But in such an occasion, it would reflect badly on her ignorance if she asked.
So she kept silent. After all, she was just here to accompany Huo Shao Ting through the motions. As long as she behaved appropriately, answering what she knew and smiling through what she didn't, she would not offend anyone or embarrass Huo Shao Ting.
Although the reporters were gone, the auction carried on as usual. Only halfway in did Rong Dai understand the significance of this auction.
She had seen countless treasures before. The jewelry here was first-class, at least in terms of craftsmanship and materials, able to stand the test of time.
She watched with great interest, though her heart still trembled when hearing those astronomical figures called out.
What a pity her own pockets were empty, or she would have collected some of these jewels too.
"Next, we have a jade pendant. According to expert appraisal, this should be worn by women during ancient coming-of-age ceremonies. It is an extremely rare piece of Tianhuang ink jade. Ink jade with an ink black base—this jade pendant is peerless material!"
The vague introduction from the auctioneer on stage piqued the curiosity of the attendees.
Rong Dai was curious too. Tianhuang ink jade, especially the ink black variety, was the cream of the crop for soft jade, only appearing once in a hundred years.
When that ink black jade pendant was brought out, Rong Dai's body shook violently! Her eyes widened, gaze fixed intensely on the pendant, her heart surging with tumultuous waves!
This jade pendant...was the one her father had personally put on her when she came of age.
Her father was strict with her, but his love was as heavy as a mountain. Back then, he had adamantly opposed her entering the palace, fearing she would end up meeting a tragic fate there.
Yet she had insisted stubbornly, and only after spending years in that cold palace did she finally understand her father's profound affection.
Huo Shao Ting had no interest in these things. His attention was focused on monitoring Rong Dai's behavior. Seeing her become so emotional all of a sudden, his brows couldn't help but knit together slightly. Did she like relics of dead people?
"Shao Ting!"
Hearing someone call out a bid, Rong Dai became anxious at once. Disregarding elegance and propriety, she grabbed his arm tightly with both hands.
There was unprecedented anxiety in her dark, bright eyes, mixed with some emotions he could not comprehend.
"Hmm?" He cocked a brow and grunted.
"Could you please help bid for that jade pendant? It's truly, truly important to me!"
Hearing the bids climbing higher and higher, Rong Dai's heart thumped wildly. Her pleading tone involuntarily carried hints of sobbing.
In her past life, the only ones she had wronged were her clansmen. She had been too stubborn, and it had led to the ruin of her entire family.
She regretted, she resented.
But all that had become dust now. The appearance of this jade pendant was beyond her expectations, perhaps the last vestige of her past life.
