Chapter 457


    "It''s fine. It wasn''t expensive, so I thought I''d get it for you while I''m at it," Samuel added, worried that


    Sophia would be unwilling to ept the gift.


    Sophia gave Samuel a look. "Apologizing once is enough for one mistake. You have already purchased


    one bag for me, so that''s sufficient. I will get the next one myself."


    Following that, she let out a snort and added, "Otherwise, I''m afraid you''ll have trouble exining


    yourself to Alexander."


    The sudden public disy of affection silenced Samuel.


    He dared not insist on getting her anything and looked toward the stage, nning to bid a handsome


    price immediately after the bag was up for auction.


    The bag''s reserve price was one million and eight hundred thousand, and he nned on offering two


    million and five hundred thousand. Increasing the price by seven hundred thousand would deter others


    frompeting with him.


    s, Samuel had underestimated the allure of bags to women. After he offered two million and five


    hundred thousand, someone else increased the price to two million and six hundred thousand.


    Samuel frowned and dered, "Three million."


    Sophia moved and nced at Samuel''spetitor.


    By coincidence, the woman Samuel waspeting with happened to be the same woman who had


    been overheard speaking ill of Sophia at the hotel earlier that day.


    The auctioneer had already called the sale twice. He was about to call the price for the third time when


    suddenly the woman raised her paddle once again.


    The auctioneer came to an abrupt stop and announced, "Three million and one hundred thousand. The


    lady has offered three million and one hundred thousand."


    Impatient, Samuel was about to raise his paddle to offer three million and five hundred thousand when


    Sophia pressed his hand down.


    Taken aback, Samuel asked, "What''s wrong? I can afford to buy the bag. It''s only around three million."


    Sophia tutted. "Mr. Schild, you are both rich and generous, but this bag only cost one point five million


    when it was sold on the market. Since it''s now discontinued, its reserve price in the auction is one point


    eight million, and two point five million is already a high price to pay. If you increase the price beyond


    three million, you''ll be losing more than one million instead. It''s not worth it."


    In her opinion, the bag wasn''t worth three point five million.


    "Never mind. We''re having fun, aren''t we? I promised to get it for you, so even if I have to fork out thirty


    million, I must get it done."


    Sophia was amused by his response. "Mr. Schild, you don''t mind acting foolishly, but I do!"


    If he sessfully bids for the bag at three point five million, I''m not even sure if I could sell it for two


    millionter on.


    Sophia was used to having a business-oriented mindset. Despite her intention to purchase the bag as


    a surprise for Katherine, she was not willing to pay an exorbitant price for it.


    "Don''t you like it?" Samuel was baffled.


    "I like money better," came Sophia''s reply.


    As they spoke, the auctioneer had already closed the bid. The bag now belonged to thedy.


    It was toote for Samuel to increase the price.


    "Someone else managed to bid it."


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    Sophia pointed at another bag. "You can get this for me, Mr. Schild."


    "Sure! Don''t worry. I promise I''ll get this one for you no matter how expensive it is."


    Samuel knew handbags were the solution to everything for women. He was sincere in his apology and


    didn''t mind how much it cost.


    Sophia shot him an amused look. "Mr. Schild, is this how you discuss business coborations with


    others?"


    Midway Media would most probably go bankrupt if he was this generous.


    "This is different. Wee to auctions to bid on stuff we like. We earn money to spend it, right? Don''t


    worry. I''m not as rich as Alex, but I can afford to buy a bag that costs a few million," he assured her.


    Samuel thought Sophia had misconceptions about his wealth. Have I appeared to be too frugal all this


    time?


    After pondering for a while, he whipped out his phone and tapped furiously on the screen. A whileter,


    he handed his phone to Sophia. "This is the credit limit of the card I normally use."


    His actions caught Sophia by surprise.


    It took her a while to regain herposure. "Mr. Schild, what''s the meaning of this?"


    "Don''t worry. I''m not short of money."


    Finally, Sophia understood why Alexander loved spending time with Samuel. Thetter could be


    adorably foolish at times.


    "You''re the CEO of Midway Media. Why would you be short of money?" Sophia responded.


    Samuel reassured her, "Exactly. So don''t worry, the amount I spent buying a car can easily buy several


    of these bags."


    Sophia burst outughing. "Samuel, has Alexander ever told you that it is easy to swindle money out of


    you?"


    Samuel froze for a bit. After registering the meaning of her words, he asked, "What do you n to do?"


    "Let''s see how it goes."


    The bag Sophia wanted was already up for auction at that moment.


    Its reserve price was one point five million, and someone already raised their paddle immediately.


    However, the person didn''t increase the price.


    As the bag''s price didn''t rise right off the bat like the previous one, a few people started lifting their


    paddles one after another, offering a higher price.


    When the price reached one point eight million, there weren''t that manypetitors anymore.


    Sophia thought about it and told him, "The price should be around two to two point two million. If it


    exceeds that price, don''t bid for it."


    Samuel was afraid that Sophia would call him a fool again, so he didn''t raise his paddle as swiftly as


    before and did as told.


    When the price reached two million, his onlypetitor was anotherdy.


    In the end, Samuel got the bag for two point three million. When the sale was finalized, he nced at


    Sophia instinctively. "This price isn''t too expensive right?"


    A smile nudged Sophia''s lips. "Even if the price is too expensive, I''m not the one paying for it."


    Samuel rubbed his nose sheepishly. Why does it sound like she''s criticizing me for being a nouveau


    riche without any taste?


    As the duo had already gotten the bag they had set their sights on, they stopped paying attention to the


    following auction items.


    Samuel inquired about Alexander''s situation abroad, and Sophia readily informed him of all the details.


    "If he lost his memory, how did you both get to know each other?"


    What he said caught Sophia off guard, for she had not expected him to ask such a good question.


    Sophia couldn''t help but recall how Alexander whispered into her ear. The words "sex dream" made


    her feel uncharacteristically embarrassed.


    She stole an awkward nce at Samuel and replied, "I introduced myself to him."


    "Oh, I see." Samuel nodded. "It looks like Alex''s character has changed after he lost his memory."


    Sophia nearly choked on her water when she heard that.


    Samuel turned to her. "Why? Did I say anything wrong?"


    "Oh. He actually didn''t change much."


    "Then why did he even bother talking to you?"


    This was the first time Sophia realized that Samuel was actually quite clever. "I just introduced myself,


    that''s all. I didn''t pester him," she replied.


    Samuel stared at her for a while beforementing, "Looks like you''re indeed his type."


    Sophia raised her eyebrows. "So I should consider myself lucky to look like this, right?"


    Samuel remembered something from the past and clicked his tongue. "You know, one day after Alex


    married you back then, I asked him if he was ever interested in you. Do you know what he said?"


    Sophia never had the opportunity to understand Alexander''s situation or his thoughts during their


    marriage thatsted for three years. She never got to know him back then.


    Samuel and Alexander are close friends, so they must''ve talked about me.


    Sophia''s interest was piqued. She blinked and asked, "What did he say?"


    "He said you''re pretty but too arrogant."


    Sophia knew that wasn''t apliment.


    Taking note of her silence, Samuel was concerned that he might have unintentionally caused a rift


    between her and Alexander. He hurriedly added, "Don''t get mad. Alex is a proud man, and he can be


    stubborn at times. From what I observed, he had a pretty good impression of you when you were


    married. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have let you stay in the Xenos family for so long. He''s just stubborn. If


    you hadn''t asked for a divorce, he would have kept up the act for ten years or so."


    Intrigued by his words, Sophia arched an eyebrow and asked, "How do you know that?"