Chapter 15

ANA’s POV

(“At the auction, there will be expensive items for sale. Buy the best design and the best accessories, Ana. Don’t lose to those who attended the event today, outdo them. Martin will look after you.”)

When I heard Paris speak, I put my hands over my ears. Because I was worried about what was going to happen, I took a deep breath. I know I’ve prepared, but I can’t help but be worried, especially since this is the first task I had.

As the event’s host took the stage, the audience applauded. I’m still not sure what he said; all I remember is that he started bringing stuff out to sell tonight. Martin was holding my hand, so I turned to face him.

“Don’t worry, Ana; I’ll be by your side, and you’ll remember everything we taught you,” he whispered, so I nodded and cleared my mind of any bad ideas.

I spotted one necklace among all the products for sale.

“Damn it.”

When I heard Martin curse, I lost my attention on the jewelry and looked at him, but he seemed restless. What is going on with him? Is he familiar with the necklace that is currently on stage?

I returned my gaze to the jewelry, but I couldn’t concentrate because Martin was having trouble next to me.

“Martin, what’s wrong with you?” I irritably asked. I got even more suspicious of his actions when he shook his head, as if he saw a ghost.

“Focus on our mission.”

I grimaced but nodded, returning my gaze to the stage where the auction was about to begin, but I could tell Martin was in trouble.

“And, finally...”

When I spotted the jewelry, I wanted to buy in front of me; I sat.

“Vintage Gold Ruby, starting at 5000 dollars…”

They clapped and gazed in awe at the blood-red jewelry.

“7000!” said Natasha, holding out a number. Others turned to look at her. The host smiled and talked once more.

“Who else? Isn’t there anything higher than 7000?”

When I looked at Natasha, I noticed she was smiling at me, as if she was glad that she had won the auction. I tightened my hand because I wanted to be the one to get the jewelry.

I’m not certain why, but I feel a connection to that jewelry.

“Go. You can speak now.” I glanced at Martin, who nodded, and I smiled.

I raised the number in my hand. “20,000!” I shouted, and everyone turned to look at me, shocked to hear my voice.

I ignored them and only glanced at Natasha, surprising her with my ability to speak. Did they just hear a lovely voice? TSK.

“Whoa… Miss?”

Martin's staff approached the host to whisper, and the host looked at him in awe.

“I apologize, Ms. Mystica, but thank you for coming tonight.”

I grinned at the host, and he returned to inquire whether there would be more than what I had given.

“21,000!”

Natasha and I exchanged glances, and I could see she was cringing. They indicted the way we gazed at each other with electricity. I grinned and lifted my hand again.

“30,000!”

Her eyes widened, and she clearly couldn’t believe I could spend that much money. Is it really so bad that she thinks of me? So, I’ll show her who the real queen is.

“31,000!”

TSK, you didn’t want to lose. I shook my head at her because it made me happy to see her upset.

“Whoa! It’s a battle of the ladies!”

I smiled as I crossed my arms. My wa has yet to begin. I’m just using you guys to exact my revenge.

“Anyone else? And Ms. Mystica?”

I didn’t respond.

Natasha laughed as she continued, “Of course, she can’t afford that.”

I sighed and leaned against the table, facing her. “Are you sure I can’t afford that?” I asked, smiling.

“Of course, you’re nothing but a gold digger,” she added, looking at me.

She took me aback, but I shrugged and grinned at her. Because of what she was saying, I didn’t make it obvious that I was about to hit her.

Martin said, “Just calm down.” I groaned and adjusted my seat as I looked at him, who was gazing at me.

“All right, Ms. Natasha—”

“One million dollars!”

I didn’t finish the host’s speech since I was getting bored, so I’m going to end it.

“One million dollars?!?”

I nodded to keep them quiet, and I’m confident that the sale that happened today will reach the Villalobos because they are greedy when it comes to money.

“What the f-ck! No way!”

I came to a halt and glanced at Natasha, who couldn’t accept the loss.

“I won,” I smirked, glancing at Natasha, who turned red with anger.

“Y-you, bitch!”

I cocked an eyebrow at her, but all I did was smile and sit back in my chair.

I won’t penalize you if you’re upset. You are a low-class rival. I’m just going to waste my time.

“Congratulations, Ms. Mystica!”

The audience applauded, and they were all surprised by the tension between me and Natasha.

Hmm, I’m not even doing anything, and you’re already impressed. It’s differed when it looks like money. When people discover you are wealthier than them, everyone will adore you, especially those who wish to rise above you to surpass you.

Paris is right. The battle is mostly about money.

You will be known not because you are famous, but because you have a large sum of money to release to them, making you appear to them to be a king or queen. No wonder why so many people kill for money. TSK.

Many people I know or who are descended from a wealthy family sought me out after the auction to become partners in the firm I am starting. They will invest a lot of money if I work with them. I was grinning because the amount of money almost impressed them.

“Ms. Mystica!”

“Ms. Mystica, I’d like to be your business partner for your upcoming business!”

“Ms. Mystica!”

Martin’s men are stopping them to protect me. Hah, they are desperate to be my companion.

But I’m sorry. I don’t need you because the people I need are the ones I’ll be tearing down.

How are they doing? Are they looking forward to seeing me?

***

CHLOE’s POV

“Honey, look at the headlines in Korea!”

We stopped eating when Mama Caridad told us about the auction in SK.

“What exactly is it?”

Mama handed the newspaper to Papa Levy.

“Look at her! She’s a mysterious girl who bought a Ruby Necklace!” mom Caridad said to father Levy, who was also surprised and was reading the newspaper.

“Oh, she can really afford that?”

“Of course! She paid a million dollars for it!”

When Mateo and I heard this, our eyes widened.

Damn! She’s powerful and wealthy!

“I don’t regret auctioning that necklace; it was well worth it,” papa Levy added, smiling.

We all nodded because he was correct. They’re the ones that auctioned off the jewelry; I thought I’d get it, but I didn’t… Because they are more worried about how much money they will make off the jewelry.

“Please contact our representative in SK and set up a meeting with this girl. I want to be her business and election partner; she will be a great asset to us if we get her. I intend to be mayor of San Alfonso again.”

I tightened my fist. Isn’t Dad doing more to support them? Yes, she is wealthy, but they are unsure if she will be their partner. TSK, my family is still wealthier than that girl.

“Mateo, try to persuade her because Don Martin has yet to sign on to your business proposal; she is our hope so that we can get to know each other better and our family can grow even more.”

Mateo came to a halt and raised his eyebrows because of what his father had informed him. I clutched the spoon tightly because what he said offended me.

Why do you need Mateo to help you? I’m sure I can do it. Damn.

I frowned as I stared at Papa Levy. “No, dad,” I answered, “I’ll just make a deal with that girl, not my husband.”

Maybe she has a plan and will flirt with my husband, and therefore I won’t let them meet.

“Don’t be jealous, she’s been Don Martin’s girlfriend for very a long time.”

It surprised me, and my eyes widened at him.

W-what? What about that night? Ugh! Remember what he said, Chloe? He made use of you! He fucked with you!

Martin, you’re an asshole!

“Yes, don’t worry. Mateo loves you, so don’t be jealous. We will only use this woman’s wealth for all of us,” Mama Caridad replied, smiling.

I sighed and looked at Mateo, who was silent. Oh well, he no longer defies all of Don Levy’s orders.

Is there any chance he’ll love me? Gosh! I cannot wait. I love him so much that I will kill anyone who flirts with him.

Mateo is entirely mine.

I reviewed the newspaper headlines and stared at the face of the interesting woman, but she was wearing a mask, so I couldn’t see it, but I gripped my breath because I had a peculiar sensation about her.

I’m not certain why, but I got a feeling there was something wrong with this woman, who seemed to know her for a long time. Furthermore, I don’t want to think about it, but I can’t stop myself, and I don’t want to doubt, but I can’t get her out of my mind.

Who is this woman?

***

ANA’s POV

After the auction, Martin and I had a couple of meetings with people interested in partnering with us. They bring many of their sons to deal with me, which makes me unpleasant.

Do I look to be a person willing to marry for business? TSK.

Individuals are not being treated equally in the world we lived in. People are just worried about themselves and their wealth.

*** FLASHBACK

“Congratulations on your first mission, Ana; many business executives want to work with you!” Paris smiled. I smiled at her and raised my glass to join them in cheers.

“So, what’s the next step?” asked Arielle. I poked Martin, who had been standing quietly by the side, and he looked at me.

“Are you okay?” I asked. He nodded and turned to face us.

“The next step is for those who want to partner with her; not everyone can invest; you must be wise in this,” said Martin, and I agreed.

“Martin is correct. Don’t believe what they say. I told you to do a background check on their company first, so we can trap them in their plan,” Paris stated with a smirk.

“Right! Not everyone wants to be your partner; others want more money than you will get because you will be to suffer if they outbid you.”

“All those who want to partner with you are here,” Lucas said as he opened a folder in front of me. “I’ll also have a background check done, so you won’t have any trouble,” Lucas said, smiling. They were all prepared, so I nodded.

“Ana, when you face them, be brave. Be the type that holds nothing back so that they are afraid of you,” Klein stated as he waved his way out of the mansion.

They were the only ones who showed their excitement about what I was planning, so I sighed. I just scratched my cheek because I’m no longer nervous, but excited.

“The actual mission is to bring you back to the Philippines and introduce you to the entire country,” Martin explained, and I came to a halt and stared at him. But I snorted as he grinned and stroked my head, and he whispered, “Ana, get ready, you’ll be back soon.” I tightened my hands and grinned.

I’m preparing to return to my country, where I have painful memories. I’m about to see those who I’ll be killing.

*** END OF FLASHBACK

“MS. MYSTIC, Don Martin is here.”

I motioned for my secretary to let Martin in.

"How’s the business?” asked Martin as he entered my office. I smiled at him as I sat back in my swivel chair and turned the ballpoint pen on my fingers.

“More people want to invest, but as you said, I will make it difficult for them, and I have offered a large sum to lure them to accept my plan,” I said. He raised an eyebrow at me, but only nodded.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

I smiled and turned to face my office’s glass wall.

“It’s time to go back to the Philippines…”