Chapter 24


    #24 “Are You Trying to Irritate Me?”


    “Since I am here now, I would love to invite Ms. Johnson back to the stage for a brief duet with me. If


    she will give me the honor,” Oliver asks, motioning for Sophia to join him.


    With a radiant smile, Sophia dly rejoins her friend on the stage. After a few yful exchanges, they


    settle into a rousing version of Sergei Prokofiev’s Sonata for 2 Violins. Their synchronized performance


    is


    breathtaking, captivating the crowd. As the final note resounds through the hall, the audience erupts


    into another round of enthusiastic apuse, their admiration for both musicians evident.


    After the apuse for the spontaneous duet settles, the auctioneer for the auction takes the stage, his


    face shining with excitement. “Well, let’s keep that energy going for our charity auction!”


    As the auctionmences, valuable items are enthusiastically bid on, and a substantial amount of


    money is raised for charity. Benjamin sessfully bids for a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, while Sophia


    wins a Pablo Picasso sculpture. However, the most sought-after auction item of the evening is Sophia’s


    Stradivari’s violin.


    When the auctioneer brings Sophia’s prized possession to the stage, the audience buzzes with


    excitement. “I can see we are all ready to bid on the Stradivari’s violin that Ms. Johnson so expertly


    yed on for us today. We shall start the bidding at 10,000 dors.


    Immediately, a flurry of paddles rises into the air, including Benjamin’s and Alexander’s. Turning to her


    friend, Sophia jokes, “I don’t think you will have to help drive the bid higher.”


    “Are you kidding me?” Benjamin responds with a smirk. “I want that! What you did tonight was


    amazing!”


    The auctioneer skillfully continues the bidding, quickly reaching 10,000, then 50,000, and even 100,000


    dors. Sophia feels a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that her violin is generating such


    generous charitable contributions.


    As the bidding climbs to 200,000 dors, Benjamin, with a hint of disappointment, admits, “Sorry, dear,


    too rich for my blood.”


    Surveying the room, Sophia notices that several determined bidders, including Alexander, are still


    raising their paddles.


    “As long as Alexander doesn’t win, I don’t think I’ll care,” Sophia remarks quietly to Benjamin. The


    auction proceeds, reaching a staggering 850,000 dors with two determined bidders remaining.


    “I can’t believe he is still bidding,” Sophia whispers as Alexander raises his paddle to bid 900,000


    dors.


    “Do I have 950,000 from the woman in the corner?” the auctioneer asks. She smiles and nods. Turning


    to Alexander, he inquires, “Do we make it an even million?”


    N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Alexander raises his paddle without hesitation, and the room releases a small gasp in awe at the


    monumental price. The other bidder politely declines to raise the bid any further. “With that, the


    Stradivari’s violin is awarded to the gentleman at table 8 for an even one million dors.”


    The audience explodes with apuse, and Alexander grins, satisfied with his sessful bid. Sophia


    whispers to Benjamin, “I really wanted it to go to someone I didn’t dislike as much as I dislike him.”


    “Honey, he paid one million dors for charity,” Benjamin consoles.


    “Yes, true, for charity. And he was most certainly very generous with his donation. I am very grateful for


    that.” Sophia concedes, clinking her champagne ss with his. But she is still somewhat disheartened


    that her violin now belongs to Alexander Stone.


    Impressed with Alexander’s bidding prowess, Emily turns to him with an enormous smile. “I cannot


    believe you bid that much for the violin!” she exims.


    Alexander turns his mboyant green eyes to meet Emily’s gaze. “Well, it is an incredibly crafted


    instrument, and I know it will make the perfect present,” he says confidently. Emily’s heart skips a beat,


    “Alexander was bidding on the violin as a gift for me!”


    His acknowledgment made her smile from ear to ear. Feeling a rush of excitement, she moves her


    hands to rest on Alexander’s arm, trying flirtingly tomunicate her happiness.


    “Yes, it is the perfect gift,” Emily replies, attempting to keep a seductive tone as she leans closer to him.


    Alexander’s response is quick, shifting slightly, avoiding Emily’s hands. “My mother has an affinity for


    stringed instruments, and with her birthdaying up soon, I am sure she will love it.”


    A wave of realization crashes over Emily, and her excitement detes like a popped balloon. She


    quickly tries to recover from her assumption. “Oh, yes. It is perfect for her. You are a wonderful son,”


    Emily forces a smile, though her eyes show her disappointment.


    Alexander, oblivious to Emily’s feelings, nods in agreement. “Thank you. She has always supported my


    pursuits, so I want to give her something special.”


    Emily nods, trying to hide her feelings as she turns her attention back to the ongoing auction. As the


    auction nears its end, Oliver gracefully makes his way to table eight, where Sophia, Benjamin,


    Alexander, and Emily are still seated.


    “Sophia, I wanted to thank you again for the incredible duet and, of course, for covering for me earlier,”


    Oliverments. “Of course,” Sophia replies with a warm smile. “Anything for a friend.”


    Oliver then addresses the rest of the table. “Well, I am going to retire for the night. Mr. Stone, it is a


    pleasure to put a name to the face finally,” he says, extending his hand.


    Alexander rises and shakes Oliver’s hand cordially, replying, “Yes, my family is beyond honored to be


    the organizers for your uing concert.


    “I truly appreciate it. It should be a fantastic evening,” Oliver responds appreciatively. As Alexander


    gazes at Sophia, his eyes softening, “Ms. Johnson, you should attend too. Maybe we will get lucky, and


    you will grace us with another surprise performance.”


    “Thank you, Mr. Stone, but I am going to have to decline the invitation,” she says politely but firmly.


    “Oliver, it was a pleasure to see you again. Let me walk you to the door.”


    Alexander is irritated by Sophia’s constant rejection, “How many times do you need me to be rejected


    before you’re satisfied? Are you intentionally trying to irritate me?” He grabs her arm and asks.


    Sophia pulls away from Alexander’s grasp and responds, “Mr. Stone, I am not trying to irritate you or


    stir up any emotions. I do appreciate you vouching for me with Barbara, but truth be told, we just don’t


    get along with each other. So, I see no reason to go to your concert or spend any more time with you


    than absolutely necessary.”


    With that, she embraces Oliver and leads him towards the exit. Sophia’s wordspletely ignite


    Alexander’s anger. He silently makes his way toward the informant remembering his prearranged


    meeting.


    Spotting the informant sitting at the bar, Alexander makes his way through the crowded ballroom


    towards him, his face set in a stony expression.