Burning Passion

CHAPTER 255: CHARITY BALL (WON THE AUCTION)

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"Don't worry, I am fine now. I was just thinking about something else," Nina replied to Steven with a low voice and a sweet smile, slightly tearing her lips. Since she was into this already, she will play along. 

It happens, she is already raking her head, thinking about how she would explain to Steven that everything is a mistake. But she needs to clear out her mind first. She needs to explain carefully to Steven that what she has for him is not love at all. 

Now her head is throbbing again. She wants the event to begin and soon finish, so then she could go home and get some sleep and rest. 

Nina carefully heaved a silent sigh. However, Steven paid so much attention to her; that is why he heard her sigh. 

"What's the matter?" he asked worriedly. 

Shook her head slightly, Nina replied, "I'm tired. I want to go home soon." 

"All right. Let's go home the moment the auction is over." 

Nodding, Nina lowered her gaze to the floor. She couldn't avoid pursing her lips tightly. Steven's voice is full of sincerity. Sometimes, she wishes she could teach her heart to love him. However, Harry remains in her heart, and it was not fair for Steven for giving him hope. 

The door suddenly opened. Queen Rebecca entered the room, walking toward Nina. 

"Are you feeling better, sweetie?" she asked Nina. 

Nina nodded as she replied, "I am, Queen Rebecca." 

"All right! The Auction will begin in a minute! But since you are last to present, you are on standby to call out later. Okay?" 

"Okay. I understand." 

After a brief reminder, Rebecca swallowed by the door, and the room filled with silence again. Greg grew antsy. He turned his attention to the champagne in his hand. But when he remembered that he had to send home the girls, Greg put down the wineglass and bear the awkwardness roaming in the room. 

Finally, it was the time that Nina had to go up on the stage. She took a deep breath. She glanced at Jessica, who was there to help her fix the sheer gown before she would appear.

Albert and Sarah now joined their parents' table, while Steven and Greg are seated at another table across the hall.

The auctioneer first acknowledges Val's presence and introduces him warmly. Then, he called the highlights item for this Charity Ball. As they saw Nina, they welcomed her with loud applause. 

The auctioneer describes the dress from its fabric materials to the gemstones attached to it; a real emerald and diamonds.

Not taking any longer, the auctioneer opens the floor and starts the price with one hundred thousand pounds. 

Everyone is eager to bid until the price goes up to two hundred thousand pounds. 

Jessica is eagerly listening from backstage. She was calculating the exchange rate of pounds into Chinese money. After she did Math, it dazed her to imagine it. 

Until a voice echoed in the hall. 

"215!" 

Everyone's gaze landed on the table where King Victor and Queen Rebecca seated at. But even the royal couple gaping at their son, shockingly. 

What's more intriguing when another table places a bid. 

"220!" 

Greg, who was seated next to Steven, swallowed his own saliva. 

'Is this guy serious?' he told himself. 'Is this amount typical for a Shang who is still in their college?' 

He knows that they could enjoy a luxurious life, but bidding an amount like that? It stunned Greg. It seems like he has no chance to ask Korin's hand for marriage. It looks like he needs to own a million pounds to marry a Shang member and be accepted to this family.

And the bidding didn't stop there. Albert pushed his bidding until two hundred thirty thousand, which Steven called for two hundred thirty-five thousand. 

Glaring across the hall, Steven returned Albert's sharp gaze with a scornful smirk. He is prepared to bid higher than this. 

When Albert is about to open his mouth, he feels Sarah's palm reach his fist above the table. He turned his head toward her sister, who was shaking her head slightly like saying, 'Enough.'

While dazedly peering at her brother, her mother leaned toward her and whispered something in her ear. Their parents want this craziness to stop.

Albert glanced at his parents. He didn't follow their order, but he bid one more time. As expected, Steven countered and settled to two hundred fifty-thousand pounds. 

Everyone watched Hamilton's table, waiting for the prince to bid his amount. Sarah helplessly stares at his brother. She wondered if Albert would go on. But she also pitied him that maybe, even in this situation, he would win. 

Pressing his mouth tight, a wide smile tore across Albert. He stood on his feet and looked at Steven. What he did next, Sarah did not expect that his brother yielded like a proud knight. 

"Everyone! A round of applause for Young Master Steven Shang! Congratulations!" said Albert, clapping his hands.

'Maybe this is better…' Sarah thought to herself. 'Thank goodness it's over.' She heaves a sigh of relief.

When the bidding heated up… Nina becomes anxious. Cold sweat forming on her forehead when Albert and Steven put up a tension atmosphere once again. She's glad that things ended peacefully. 

As an older four years than Steven. Albert just proved that he is mature enough not to act childish in the Auction. Nina sighed with relief. She smiled at Albert when the guy glances in her direction. Gladly, he acts cool until now. He must have great self-control, and Nina admired this. 

Now that the auction ended, the guests went home one by one going home. Several guests remain to chat and have business proposals and agendas. 

The Auction was over. At the moment, photographers requested Steven and Nina to pose with Val. After Nina and Val had a photo together, the photographers next to requests for Steven and Nina to pose together in front of the grand Christmas tree inside that Dance Hall. 

Before the photographer and few exclusive journalists pressing on their camera button, they notice their hands intertwined in between them. The photographers along with other Journalists shared glances and smirks. Looks like they have an interesting feature for tomorrow's issue. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

LONDON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 

It was a peak season, that is why the airport already crowded more than it has been. People come and go; either going home or coming home.

"One brewed coffee, to-go..." 

"A moment, sir! That is..." the service crew froze a moment while staring at his customer. 

"Is there a problem?" 

"Ah, no sir…" the service crew shook his head and focused on his job. He mentioned the amount of the coffee, his customer handed him a ten pounds bill. But before he could give the change, his customer had already left. "Mr. Steven Shang! Your change!" 

Halted from leaving, he turned around and asked the service crew. "What did you call me?" 

The service crew stammered as he replied, "Master Steven Shang?" He is uncertain if the guy got offended when he called him Mister instead of Master. 

He was nervous that this customer would complain to his manager. But to his surprise, the guy just pursed a bitter smile and replied to him. 

"You are wrong. Steven is my twin brother." 

The service crew dropped his jaw. "Wow. They are identical twins!?" he murmured to himself while staring at the back of his customers, leaving his stall. 

Harry dropped his ass on the cold floor. Finally, he found a corner he could sit on while waiting for his flight back to New Jersey.

He grabbed his hood and put on around his head. 

He never imagined that Steven is famous here in England.