The auctioneer stared at me coldly before asking in a rude tone, “Mrs. Goldwyn, the bank card you’ve provided has been blocked. Do you have any other cards?”
For a moment, I was speechless. James would do thing like this, just to please Celine!
I quickly pulled out another card, then another. But all of them were rejected.
I looked up at the auctioneer’s face that turned more unpleasant, while I could hear Celine’s mocking laughter.
“Adrianne, what’s wrong? It seems you’re having a bit of trouble. I think I can help you. Let’s make it interesting. Take off one piece of your clothing, I’ll give you one million.”
“I’m sure you’ll have enough money before you’re completely naked,” Celine said sarcastically, looking at me.
Beside her, James sat calmly as he cut fruits for her as if none of this concerned him. The only thing I could do was tremble in anger. Meanwhile, the people looked at me like swords piercing me.
The people in the Sotheby’s had noticed something amiss. When they realized that James did nothing at me being harrassed, the onlookers started to change their expressions. Without further ado, a group of people began circling me as they tried to hold me.
“Mrs. Goldwyn, you’re responsible for payment since you raised the board. Why not do as Miss Llewelyn suggested?”
With that, they forcefully ripped off my coat, leaving me only in a strapless dress.
As my eyes grew wider in shock, I struggled desperately, but they held me tightly.
Just when I thought I would suffocate from the shame, the private room door suddenly slammed open.
A group of masked men barged in openly.
The people initially were upset, but the next second, they were terrified by the guns in the masked men’s hands, then they crouched in place.
Those men brought us all toward the hall. Even the calm James finally changed his expression.
The leader was a tall, broad-shouldered man in a black mask. He laughed loudly before he spoke, “Well, isn’t this lively? Plenty of rich people tonight, I see. Good. Here’s the deal. Each of you pays fifty million.”
“I’ll also pick a few lucky guests to wear some of my special accessories. Whoever doesn’t pay … dies. Whoever pays … depends on luck.”
With that, the kidnappers began taking action.
James frowned deeply, wanting to resist. But due to the sheer number of kidnappers and their weapons, he couldn’t find an opportunity.
In the end, he chose to pay 50 million pounds. He also paid 50 million for Celine.
Meanwhile, I was pushed to the end of the line. My heart pounded so fast it hurt. Just as Celine exhaled in relief, thinking she was safe, one of the kidnappers reached out and grabbed her arm.
“I think your figure is perfect for a bomb. Keep her.”
At that, Celine’s face went pale quickly. She immediately clung desperately to James’ arm, pleading with her eyes.
“James! James, please, save me! I’m pregnant with your child!”
Her words made James frown slightly. He was about to negotiate with the kidnappers when Celine’s gaze darted toward me.
“James, switch me with Adrianne instead! She’s strong, so she can survive this!”
Celine’s face twisted into feigned desperation as if she wanted to push me before the kidnappers. Meanwhile, James told the kidnapper calmly, “I’ll pay another fifty million to save Adrianne.”
My heart caught in my throat, but I got completely heartbroken. It was because his finger pointed at Celine. After that, the kidnapper looked at me before he showed up a malicious grin.
He then said, “Ma’am, it’s your bad luck. Some husbands can afford to buy their wives’ lives. But yours can’t. But honestly, I really want to put the bombs on you. Besides, I’ve never seen an eight-month-pregnant woman explode before. Hahaha!”
His laughter was monstrous as it echoed through the hall. The kidnappers then tied my wrists and ankles tightly. I felt truly hopeless at that moment.
When I looked up, James was walking past as he carried Celine. He didn’t even look at me once. A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
One by one, the hostages who had paid were escorted out. The kidnappers stayed behind to put the explosives on me. Before leaving, James turned briefly and looked back at me. His lips moved soundlessly.
“Wait for me,” he mouthed.
I turned my head away. The moment they strapped the explosives on me, I already knew whose plan this really was. Soon, I would be out …
A few minutes later, a loud voice echoed. The entire Sotheby’s exploded. James, watching from the distance, looked very shocked.
“Adrianne!”
His roar was raw, desperate. But it didn’t reach the building. By that time, I was already gone. The kidnappers had driven me away in their van before the detonation.
When we already left the Sotheby’s, a sleek black Maserati was already parked on a nearby road. Oscar smiled at me as he held a button to counter the explosives.
“Am I late, my lady?”
“You’re right on time. Just like we planned. The Venus project launches today. We cut all ties with the Goldwyn Group. We can continue with our plan.”
Oscar gently nodded.
After that, I smiled coldly as I said, “As for the divorce papers, I’ll have them delivered on the same day. I want them to fall from the highest peak into the deepest hell.”
Without another word, I slid into the Maserati. As the engine roared to life, a violent explosion tore through the night behind us. The auction house as I was free from James!
