CHAPTER 472: QUEEN BERNARDO INTRODUCED HERSELF TO TAYLOR HER BETROTH

"No need,"

Harrison cut off Matvey mid-sentence, his tone laced with displeasure.

"Keep it for yourself."

Matvey, having climbed to his current position through sheer social finesse, immediately paled at the unmistakable anger in Harrison’s voice.

Well, he’d gone and offended the man after all.

If he’d known this would happen, he wouldn’t have brought out that final set of jewelry.

"Since President Luther is unwilling to grant me this courtesy, I won’t impose any further," Harrison rose from the sofa, looking down at

Sinclair with a meaningful glint in his eyes.

"President Luther will likely remain in E Country for some time.

I hope we’ll have other opportunities to collaborate."

E Country was Harrison family’s domain, not the Luther Family’s.

Though his words were polite, no one could miss the icy displeasure lacing his tone.

A faint smirk played on Sinclair’s lips as his sharp, penetrating gaze rested calmly on Harrison.

" Kai," he said slowly, "see President Harrison out."

Though seated, he still exuded an air of superiority that visibly dwarfed Harrison’s presence.

This man clearly had no regard for the Harrison family’s reputation.

Matvey wiped the cold sweat from his brow again.

Truly, when gods clash, mere mortals suffer.

"Understood."

Kai stepped forward, stopping in front of Harrison.

"Mr. Harrison, this way."

Harrison shot a glare at Sinclair, his deep-set eyes burning with undisguised fury.

Then, gripping Juliet’s hand, he strode out. Juliet nodded politely at the others—especially giving Taylor a pointed glance—before following Harrison.

As they passed Queen, Juliet hesitated for a split second, tightening her hold on Harrison’s hand.

"Queen, let’s go."

"You go ahead," Queen replied, her gaze sharpening as it locked onto Taylor.

"I have unfinished business."

"You..."

Juliet was about to say something more when Harrison shot her an impatient glance.

"Juliet, don’t bother with her."

Taking the hint, Juliet fell silent and followed Harrison as they continued toward the exit.

Before they could leave, a deep, magnetic voice sounded from behind them.

"Time’s up.

It’s time to drop the hammer."

The man was, of course, referring to the auction’s one-of-a-kind "Unique" violet-top luxury jewelry set.

Harrison’s footsteps faltered almost imperceptibly before he quickly regained his composure.

Fine.

Just fine.

Harrison’d make sure Sinclair learned soon enough who truly held the reins here.

Only after Harrison had completely disappeared from view did Matvey dare to respond.

"Y-yes, right away. I’ll see to it immediately."

Matvey hurried out, his face drenched in cold sweat, all traces of his earlier joy over the record-breaking sale now gone.

In the private booth, only Queen remained.

"President Luther, Mrs. Luther," Queen rose gracefully from the sofa, her crimson lips curving into a smile as she nodded slightly at Sinclair and Camilla in greeting.

Sinclair remained aloof, his expression indifferent, offering no response.

Camilla, however, could tell from the bright clarity in Queen’s gaze that she was straightforward and genuine.

Without hesitation, she returned the smile with a warm curve of her own lips.

Encouraged by Camilla’s acknowledgment, Queen exhaled a quiet breath of relief before striding confidently toward Taylor.

She extended her hand with deliberate poise.

"Hello, Mr. Taylor. I’m Queen Benardo."

She enunciated the last three syllables with crisp precision, making it unmistakably clear—she was declaring her identity outright.

Better to address the inevitable awkwardness now than let it fester later.

No matter what happened from here on out, at the very least, they could still be friends.

Queen extended her hand, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she gazed at Taylor.

Taylor took in the radiant smile and the candid, sparkling eyes before him, the corner of his lips curling slightly.

A moment later, he rose to his feet as well and shook her hand with polite formality.

"Taylor."

Anyone witnessing this scene would never have guessed— —that these two, now exchanging introductions, were technically engaged.

Queen studied Taylor, realizing the man standing before her was even taller than she had anticipated—a full half-head taller.

His features were refined and handsome, his demeanor cultured and composed.

She had to admit, this was exactly her type of man!!

The moment she caught herself thinking that, her eyes flickered, and she hastily withdrew her hand, flustered.

A faint blush tinged the tips of her pale ears.

A woman knows a woman best.

Camilla observed every subtle shift in Queen’s expression, keenly detecting the flicker of bashfulness in her eyes.

The curve of her lips deepened with quiet amusement.

It seemed Taylor’s arranged marriage might take an unexpected turn.

Camilla stole a glance at the man beside her, silently adding a surname to Taylor in her mind.

No, it should be Taylor.

After revealing her identity to him, Queen didn’t linger.

With a brief farewell to the group, she took her leave.

Meanwhile, in the auction hall.

The crowd waited in hushed murmurs, exchanging speculative whispers.

"Looks like Mr. Harrison halted the auction just to head straight to VIP Box 5."

"No doubt about it.

The real question is—who’s going to walk away with that violet diamond set?"

"Come on, it’s obvious.

Mr. Harrison’s got this in the bag."

"Exactly.

None of us came to E Country just for sightseeing.

If that American businessman in Box 5 has any sense, he won’t dare snub the Harrison family."

"I don’t know... Something feels off. Why else would this be dragging on so long?"

"Hmm... You might have a point there." ...

Amid the murmurs, the auctioneer finally received the signal and stepped back onto the podium.

"Thank you for your patience, ladies and gentlemen.

The auction will now resume." The man gazed down at the crowd with a perfectly composed, faint smile.

"Three hundred million from our distinguished guest in Box 5.

Any further bids?"

The room remained silent, eyes flickering with subdued anticipation as they waited for Harrison’s next move.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise— Even as the auctioneer began counting down,

Box Six stayed eerily quiet. Harrison’s voice never rose again.

"What’s going on...?

Harrison played along all this time, only to back out now?"

"Who on earth is in Box five, daring to snub Mr. Harrison like this?"

"Seems this American businessman isn’t just some ordinary player.

Could he be from one of those families at the very top of the corporate pyramid?"

"If it were really one of them, we’d have heard whispers by now."

"Guess we’ll have to dig deeper later."

"Three hundred million—going twice."

"Three hundred million—sold!"

The auctioneer’s gavel struck with finality.

"Congratulations!

’The One and Only’ belongs to our honored guest in Box five."

Applause rippled through the room.

The auction had officially come to an end.

Next on the agenda was the dining session arranged by the organizers.

Of course, most of the attendees were high-profile figures who rarely stayed for such events, and the crowd gradually thinned as people began to leave.

Only a handful of American businessmen lingered, curious to catch a glimpse of the influential figure seated in VIP Box No.

Five.

Their surprise was palpable when they spotted Taylor.

But the real shock came when Sinclair and Camilla stepped into view.

An auction like this—worth a personal appearance from these two power players?

And another thing— Wasn’t the Luther Family heir supposed to be gravely ill, with the family embroiled in turmoil?

What was really going on here?

Their minds raced with calculations.

They needed to send word back home immediately—stay clear of any involvement in the Luther Family’s affairs.

Otherwise, who knew what kind of storm might swallow them whole?