Embracing Wealth: The Exceptional Raymond Lawson

Chapter 7

Dahlia’s hands tightened around her clutch, but she forced her face to remain calm, trying to ignore the fact that Raymond had moved on with someone who looked far more capable and connected than she had imagined.

But so what? He was still trying to rely on women to make a living.

Thinking of that, a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes. 

She snorted, forcing herself to look away, and entered the hall with Caleb.

As they entered the glittering hall, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Chandeliers cast a warm glow over the room, and the murmurs of influential voices filled the space. 

They knew the kind of connection Caleb, and his family can control.

And they would do anything to be in his favor for any kind of collaboration from them.

Caleb, standing tall beside Dahlia, soaked it all in. His self-assured smirk widened as several guests approached them, eager to greet him.

“Mr. Caleb!” A middle-aged man in a tailored suit extended his hand with a wide smile. 

“It’s an honor to see you here. Your family’s reputation precedes you.”

Others quickly followed suit, their voices overlapping as they offered their praise.

“Such a powerful couple you two make,” a woman gushed, glancing at Dahlia with admiration. 

“It’s inspiring to see two people with such status together.”

“Yes, a perfect match,” another chimed in, nodding enthusiastically.

Hearing their praise towards her Dahlia managed a polite smile, but her thoughts were elsewhere. 

The compliments felt hollow. She glanced again toward Raymond who was still standing quietly with the mysterious woman.

Though he wasn’t surrounded by fawning guests, there was an air of calm about him that seemed... different. For a moment, she wondered if she had really misunderstood him.

However she immediately deleted the thought off her head.

Caleb, meanwhile, basked in the attention.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of arrogance. “We are indeed a great match. I’m lucky to have Dahlia by my side.”

Upon hearing what Caleb just said, the crowd murmured their agreement, and Caleb’s grin widened.

Just then, another guest, an older gentleman with sharp eyes, stepped forward.

 “I heard there’s something special at tonight’s auction,” he said, his voice laced with intrigue. “A rare vintage ring—part of Mr. Drake’s private collection. You all know him, of course, the president of the city’s largest business association.”

The mention of the ring drew a ripple of interest from the crowd. Someone gasped softly.

“They say it’s one of a kind,” the man continued, glancing around. “I also heard the starting price alone is enough to make most people hesitate to even considering it, but for someone with Mr. Caleb’s standing…” He paused, smiling knowingly. 

“Well, it might as well already be yours.”

Hearing what the man just said and his sweet words Caleb chuckled, his pride swelling even further. “Like you just said, the ring is as good as mine,” he declared, his voice loud enough to draw even more attention. 

“No one else here has what it takes to outbid me.”

 “Speaking as if you have everything under control,” Malisa scoffed, rolling her eyes with disdain. She’d had enough of his stupid arrogance, “ If Raymond wanted to, he could buy out this entire auction house without even trying.”

Her voice cut through the room like a blade, sharp and unwavering.

Immediately the room fell into a stunned silence, the boldness of her statement hanging heavy in the air. Then, as if on cue, a ripple of laughter spread among the guests, their disbelief quickly morphing into scornful amusement.

“Buy the auction house?” a woman snickered, covering her mouth as though the very idea was too absurd to say aloud.

 “Does she know who she’s talking about?”

“He’s just a washed-up ex-husband,” another that knew Raymond as Dahlia ex chimed in, shaking his head. 

“What kind of trick did he pull to get someone like her to back him up?”

“Maybe she feels sorry for him,” someone else added with a smirk.

The room buzzed with ridicule, the mocking voices blending into a chorus of false amusement. 

Caleb leaned back, clearly enjoying the spectacle, his smirk widening as he met Raymond’s calm gaze.

Raymond, however, didn’t flinch. Their words were meaningless noise, background static he had no interest in acknowledging.

He took a slow step forward, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

“I’m not interested in buying the whole auction house,” he said, his tone steady and unbothered. His gaze flicked toward the stage where the ring was displayed under bright lights. “But that ring?” He paused, letting his words sink in. 

“That’s mine.”