Embracing Wealth: The Exceptional Raymond Lawson

Chapter 6

“Then why are you here?” she demanded, believing he was just lying.

“To attend the auction,” Raymond replied simply, his voice steady.

Immediately Dahlia’s jaw tightened, disbelief flashing across her face. “You’re attending the auction?” she repeated, as if the words themselves were ridiculous. “Raymond, do you even hear yourself? You’re making a fool of yourself. Just return the card and stop this before it gets worse.”

Raymond’s gaze remained steady, his voice calm but firm. 

“I don’t need your concern, Dahlia. You’ve already made it clear where we stand.”

Seeing Raymond's attitude Caleb smirked with disdain.

“You should leave,” he said, his tone dripping with superiority. “This place isn’t for people like you. You’ll only embarrass yourself further. And Dahlia—stop wasting your time on him. The last thing you need is to be associated with his mess. It’s wise of you to have dumped him. No women would like to be with such trash!”

However, before Raymond could respond, a voice cut through the noise like a blade.

“Darling, sorry for keeping you waiting!” the voice said, warm and intimate.

Immediately the crowd turned in unison as Malisa stepped into view, her presence commanding instant attention.

She was strikingly beautiful, her tailored dress highlighting her graceful figure. Her sharp eyes carried a quiet authority.

Compared to her, even Dahlia’s polished appearance seemed dimmed, her usual poise suddenly overshadowed.

Malisa’s strides were confident, purposeful, and as she reached Raymond, she slipped her arm through his with effortless familiarity, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, her smile teasing but affectionate.

Immediately Raymond’s eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly understood her intent.

She was trying to help him. He said nothing, choosing instead to play along, though the unexpected closeness sent a faint ripple of unease through him.

At that moment Celeb’s smirk froze, his confidence faltering as he processed what was happening. His eyes flickered between Malisa and Raymond, disbelief clouding his expression.

Dahlia’s lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Darling?” she echoed, the word hanging in the air.

Malisa turned to face her, her sharp eyes gleaming with an almost imperceptible smirk. “Yes, darling,” she said, her tone dripping with gentle mockery. “Is there a problem?”

The crowd, initially silent, began whispering in shock and envy.

Malisa’s beauty and elegance were impossible to ignore, and the way she clung to Raymond with such intimacy shattered the image they had of him as “just a nobody.”

“She’s stunning,” another murmured, their eyes fixed on Malisa.

“How did he…?”Caleb, standing stiffly beside Dahlia, clenched his jaw.

Dahlia’s composure faltered, her fists clenching at her sides. “Raymond,” she began, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and something else—jealousy. “So, this is why you’re here? You’ve… moved on so quickly?”

Before Raymond could respond, Malisa tightened her grip on his arm and leaned closer, her head tilting toward his shoulder. 

“We were planning to keep things quiet for a little while,” she said smoothly, her eyes twinkling with feigned innocence. “But I suppose there’s no point in hiding it now.”

Dahlia’s face flushed red, her jealousy barely concealed beneath her anger.

Caleb stood rigid, his eyes narrowing as he watched Malisa lean into Raymond with an easy familiarity. The way she rested her hand lightly on his arm, the warmth in her tone when she addressed him—it all struck a nerve.

He couldn't believe that right after being dumped by Dahlia, Raymond was, already appearing close to a woman who was, frankly, breathtaking.

However he couldn't hide his anger anymore.

“ Well I will advise you to stay away from that man.”

Celeb pointed at Raymond.

“He's poor and useless, and I don't understand whatever he must have said to you, he's a liar and don't allow him to trick you.”

At that moment Malisa's jaw tightened.

“ Do I look like someone who can be tricked in your eyes? Malisa Black, senior director of Sky High Bank, I'm smarter than that.”

Upon hearing what Malisa just said, Caleb’s eyes widened in shock.

“Senior director of Sky High Bank?”

He couldn't believe what he just heard. Sky High Bank is just the largest in the country and has businesses spanning all over the world. Though his family was one of the four major families in the city, they were still nothing compared to the Sky High Bank, that’s why he only managed to get their platinum card.

While as the senior director of the bank, Malisa even has the power to decide on major investments and partnerships in this city.

And he couldn't believe such a woman was clinging onto that bastard!

He glanced at Raymond, his eyes narrowing, then whispered to Dahlia who was still in shock.

“It all makes sense now,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “He was able to get away  from the card thief, and get his way here all because of her.”