billion book
MISTAKE 253
Chapter 253: Attacked
As the auction began, Vivian carefully reviewed the list of items Mathew had provided her. She checked off an antique Persian rug, a golden egg difinitely the one the goose was laying when Jack climebed that bean stalk and a pair of rare desert diamonds to start. With a slight nod, she
slid the list over to Mr. Levi.
The older man scanned her selections briefly before passing them off to one of his assistants, who quickly relayed the information over a concealed earpiece. Vivian watched stoically as the bidding began in the room below, trying her best to appear utterly unfazed by the illegal proceedings unfolding.
Her phone buzzed once more and she glanced down to see Mathew's name on the caller ID. Furrowing her brow, she accepted the call.
"Is everything going well? Do you like attending art exhibitions?" he asked so fotly, if she did not know who he was, she would hve thought he was god.
Vivian scowled at his choice of words. "It certainly would be an experience. I recond it will be boring."
Mathew chuckled, he liked her Shaw wife persona. "No need to worry, my dear. I've arranged for you to attend a...traditional exhibition."
She understood his implication that she would be going to some high-society art gallery or museum opening. Just another aspect of her new life. "I can hardly wait,” she deadpanned. As long as hands don't fly I am fine.
"Okay baby, Use that card. It is a lot of money, you know,"
The line disconnected before Vivian could respond. If she was not in her Shaw wife persona, she would have wursed out loud.
Down below, the auction was wrapping up, Mr. Levi's assistant jotting some final notes before excusing himself from the room. No doubt reporting on the illicit items she had just acquired, however unwittingly.
As the auction continued, Two hotel staff members who had been lingering by the doors peeking at her, caught her eye.
Vivian eyed him coolly. "Get me a personal shopper.
The staff swallowed nervously. "W-Well of course, ma'am. We have the finest personal stylists in the city at your disposal If you'll just come with me to the hotel's boutique area..."
"That won't be necessary," Vivian interrupted, her tone bored. "I don't like to repeat my self. Send for someone that will not make me repeat myself" The two staff members exchanged panicked looks, clearly not accustomed to being ordered
Chapter 253 Attacked
around in such a manner.
"B-But madam..."
Vivian fixed him with an icold stare that made the young man visibly gulp. This was Mathew Shaw's wife. The hotel had warned them to be careful as this was a dangrous woman and her husband was bene more dangerous.
"I-I'll fetch the manager right away!"
The flustered staff practically fled from the room, leaving Vivian alone with Mr. Levi and his assistant and her guards. The older man tried not to look at her. He could tell she did not apreciate being stared at, so, like everyone else, he looked away.
"The auction will son come to an end, Mrs, Shaw. Is there anything you would like to add?"
Vivian didn't dignify that with a response, simply leaning in her seat once more to wait. Precisely 44 minutes later, the manager himself entered, looking rather harried. A sharply dressed woman in an immaculate burgundy pantsuit followed closely behind.
"Mrs. Shaw," the manager began with a obsequious smile. "May I present Ethel Rottenberg of the Marquis Personal Styling firm? She's one of the city's premier luxury shopping
consultants.
The woman stepped forward extending a perfectly manicured hand. “An honor to be of service, Mrs. Shaw. My team and I are at your disposal." Her voice was warm and assuring, putting Vivian slightly more at ease despite her discomfort with the situation. She looked at Ethel's hand and looked away.
"Just get on with it then. Show me what you've got."
Ethel gave a slight nod, signaling to her assistants who immediately began flowing into the room. They rolled in garment racks filled with opulent designer gowns, suits, and dresses of every cut, color and fabric imaginable. Trays of glittering jewelry and rows of the latest designer shoes were brought out as well.
Ethel strode confidently toward a selection of chic ivory pantsuits, extracting one from the
rack to show Vivian.
"I thought we might start with some elevated separates suitable for an upscale evening art showing," the stylist began. "This classic ivory pants and jacket set from the new Valentino collection would make quite the polished statement..."
As Ethel continued detailing the various outfits, Vivian merely sipped her wine and watched with a carefully curated veneer of icy disinterest. Inside, however, she couldn't help but feel a small spark of excitement at seeing the hottest new designs and trying on opulent ensembles.
This had always been her favorite aspect of her former acting career - getting dolled up in the latest fashions, playing dress-up with different looks and characters. She may have been
Chapter 253 Attacked
coerced into this new role as Mathew's wife, but at least it came with some utterly luxurious perks.
Forcing herself to remain in character, Vivian maintained her poise in the plush armchair as Ethel's assistants began carefully trying different full ensembles on her. Dismissed the bland monochromatic looks with a subtle shake of her head. Nodded slightly in approval at a slinky red lace cocktail dress that clung in all the right places.
The glittering diamonds and gemstones Ethel brought out next truly caught Vivian's eye. She sat up straighter, examining the rare precious pieces with an expert's eye for quality and detail. Just because she had been playing poor for a while didn't mean she didn't know luxury when she saw it.
Once it became clear which jewelry pieces and ensembles Vivian favored, she gave a curt nod to Joe, silently signaling the bodyguard to handle any purchasing logistics. He immediately barked a few instructions to Mr. Levi's assistant, who swept in to begin carefully packaging up Vivian's selections.
The auction was nearing its climax when the first gunshots rang out, muffled but unmistakable. Vivian jumped in her seat, sloshing her wine as she stared at the monitor in confusion. Down in the main auction room, pandemonium erupted as smartly dressed attendees scrambled for cover.
“What in the world...?" she murmured, watching with rapidly rising panic as over a dozen masked, heavily armed men swarmed into the room, firing sporadically into the air.
Mr. Levi sprang to his feet, barking furious orders into a radio as SWAT-like security personnel stormed in to secure the area. The priceless artworks and antiquities were swiftly covered with heavy protective casings as the gunmen surrounded the stage.
“Multiple hostile forces have breached the auction, ma'am," one of the suit-clad guards informed Vivian, appearing at her side with his sidearm drawn. “Please remain calm and we'll get you out of here safely."
She did not even bother to nod, her eyes glued to the scene unfolding on screen. What seemed like an aged auctioneer emerged, hands raised in surrender as the gunmen's leader strode up and grabbed him roughly.
The sound didn't carry through the viewing room's thick walls, but Vivian could see the muzzle of an assault rifle being jammed under the poor man's jaw as he was clearly interrogated. The auctioneer appeared to be protesting adamantly, shaking his head in fear before gesturing vaguely around the now empty seating area.
"Who are these people?" Vivian asked curiously, one would thing she was asking what to eat, What do they want?"”
"Couldn't say for certain, ma'am," the guard replied gruffly. "But this was clearly a meticulously planned heist attempt, striking at the height of the auction. Likely after
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valuables from private sellers and collectors who were in attendance."
On the monitor, the tension seemed to be rising as the leader became more and more agitated with the auctioneer's responses. He snarled something and the man cringed, nodding furiously and lifting a shaky hand to point...directly at the viewing room's hidden camera.Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.