Chapter 6

The auction suites were separated by movable partitions. The people who came were either wealthy, well-connected, or spending money here in search of an opportunity. The organizers were happy to accommodate that. As long as both sides agreed, all it took was unlocking the latch to slide the partition aside. After a stretch of silence, someone next door knocked on the panel. Vivian didn't intend to respond. Vanessa stood, undid the latch, and pulled the partition open just a crack. Vivian lifted a brow and looked over, her gaze colliding with Logan's deep-set eyes in the narrow opening. Annoyance sat in his features, his expression dark. Vivian raised her brow again. There wasn't much emotion on her face, as if she were looking at a stranger. She calmly looked away as she said to Vanessa, "Are you going to sit down and watch the auction or not?" Vanessa grinned, clearly in a great mood. "I was just curious what kind of shit had people scrambling to step on it." Vanessa had grown up with Vivian. Years ago, when she found out Vivian had stayed in Baymoor for a man instead of going back to Durmont, she cut Vivian off in a fit of anger. Later, they made up. Vanessa had never had any interest in meeting Logan. So, this was the first time she had ever laid eyes on him. Vivian didn't respond. Vanessa's comment included her too, apparently. Logan's face was grim as he stared at Vivian. He stepped forward as if he meant to come over. Vanessa let out a cold laugh and lifted a hand to block him. The bodyguard, standing in the shadows of the suite, moved up to her side. "This suite is mine. It's not a place where any filthy thing can wander in." Logan's expression tightened. His eyes locked onto the striking figure seated inside. "Vivian, come here." Vivian curved her lips and spoke lightly. "If I go over, your delicate side piece won't be able to keep fluttering. I'd rather not ruin your fun." Sloane's face went white in an instant. She sat stiffly, frozen in place. Logan didn't look any better. He kept his eyes on Vivian, his face set. Vanessa signaled for the bodyguard to close the partition, but Logan lifted a hand and held it in place. The air turned sharp with tension. Logan stared at Vivian. "Are you sure you're not coming over?" It was the warning sign before his temper snapped. Vivian nodded. "I'm sure." She used to soothe him because she didn't want him angry. It wore away at what they had between them. Now, even if he dropped dead in front of her, she wouldn't blink. "Mrs. Whitfield, we were just joking earlier. You and Mr. Whitfield are about to get married, so how could he..." The man who had been meekly asking Logan a moment ago how to keep two women peaceful started scrambling to smooth things over. Vanessa cut him off immediately. "Shut your damn mouth! Stop spewing garbage! Vivian isn't married yet, so don't you dare tie her to that piece of trash!" Her voice carried, and the surrounding suites went quiet. The man's expression stiffened, but with Vanessa's bodyguard beside her, he didn't dare argue. He had noticed the insignia on those bodyguards the moment he walked in. They were from one of the top private security teams in the country. It would cost seven figures to hire them. Unless they came from a powerful family, no one could afford protection like that. Wasn't Vivian supposed to be from an ordinary family who built a company from nothing with Logan? How did she know someone like this? And why did they seem close? The others who had been ready to chime in chose silence instead. Sloane stood up with reddened eyes, her expression twisted like she'd suffered some great humiliation. "Mr. Whitfield, don't fight with Ms. Hartwell because of me and let everyone laugh at you. This is my fault. I shouldn't be here. I'll leave right now." Logan frowned, and the hand bracing the partition loosened slightly. Vivian rose from her seat. Logan's expression softened at once. He knew it. Vivian would never let him lose face in public. Since he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, he would let Sloane leave. But Vivian only walked up to him and grabbed the partition. She slid it shut and locked it cleanly, cutting off his view. "Vivian!" His furious voice came from next door. Vivian's expression stayed calm as she returned to her chair. Vanessa followed and sat down too, looking thoroughly satisfied. "I thought you were going to go over there." Vivian's expression remained calm as she watched the auction stage. "Do I look like someone who's that pathetic?" Noticing the slump in her mood, Vanessa leaned in, hooked an arm around her, and pressed her cheek against Vivian's. "Of course not. At most, you were blind for a few years." Vivian was speechless. The auction was only minutes from starting, and the noise next door still hadn't died down. Sloane sniffled softly. "It's all my fault. I'm the one who made Mr. Whitfield and Ms. Hartwell argue. I should go apologize to Ms. Hartwell in person and explain that there's nothing between Mr. Whitfield and me." No one else dared speak. Only Logan answered coldly. "No need." The auction moved into its preview segment. Now and then, Sloane's quiet crying carried through. In the end, a representative from the organizers knocked on Logan's suite. "Mr. Whitfield, some guests have complained that your suite is too loud. It's affecting their viewing. Please keep it down with your friends. We wish everyone luck in winning the items you like." Logan's expression darkened. Sloane sat rigidly. Vivian's humiliation had left her too scared to speak, but now, even a low-level staffer dared to warn them. Anger flared up inside her. "It's not like our suite is the only one making noise!" Someone echoed her. "That guy's probably using this as an excuse to climb up and meet Mr. Whitfield. Fine, we'll give him the chance. Tell him Mr. Whitfield will pay for his suite, as long as he comes over and apologizes in person. Then, we'll call it even." Upon hearing that, Vivian couldn't help frowning. Logan said nothing. Ever since Whitfield Group went public, people like this had gathered around him in droves. Arrogance always planted the seeds of its own trouble. The organizer's representative tried to smooth things over a few more times before finally excusing himself and leaving. Logan stayed rational enough that no further commotion came from his room. He simply changed tactics and started targeting Vivian and Vanessa instead. Every time they raised a paddle, he raised one too and drove the price up. Several times, items Vivian had bid on ended up going to Logan. He seemed to enjoy it. He even sent her a message to provoke her. "What else do you like? I'll buy it all and give it to you." Vivian replied, "I don't like a single piece of the trash you just bought." Logan responded, "You did that on purpose?" Vivian glanced at her phone and didn't reply. She lifted her paddle again. This time, Logan didn't follow. Vivian won the item she wanted. The bracelet suited Camille perfectly. It would make a good gift to bring back to Durmont. Logan sent another message. "You thought I'd follow again?" Vivian replied, "Thank you for not following. I got the piece I wanted at a low price." Logan didn't answer after that. Vivian could already imagine how furious he must look.