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Chapter 64 Starlit Devotion
Julian said, “Don’t move. I’m almost done.”
His gaze lingered on Rosalie’s slender neck and delicate collarbone, and his Adam’s apple shifted as he
swallowed hard.
“All done,” he said at last.
Rosalie quickly snatched the ointment from his hand. “I’ll take care of my arms and legs myself.”
Julian said nothing, turned sharply, and walked over to the vending machine. He bought a bottle of ice water, twisted off the cap, and gulped it down in one big swallow.
As Rosalie applied the cream, she caught a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye, and her heart skipped a beat.
She had seen that raw, untamed look before.
Lucian had once stared at her with the same intensity, teeth clenching as he growled, “Rosalie, do you have any idea how dangerous you are? One look at you, and I’d rather die in your bed than live without you.
His words had been crude, yet she had understood, even then, that she was the kind of temptation men
couldn’t resist.
Now, she was terrified she might once again make another man lose control, push him past the line, and drag him into a crime he would regret.
“The ointment’s on. Too many mosquitoes out here, so I’m heading back,” she said in a rush, practically
fleeing.
Julian watched her hurried figure disappear. Then, he tipped back the bottle and drained another gulp of ice water, but it did nothing to smother the heat surging through him.
He ended up running in the park for over an hour, pushing himself until sweat soaked through his clothes, only then forcing that restless desire back down.
Two days later, Rosalie finally led her team in completing the bid proposal. The fate of Vertex Tech hinged entirely on securing the partnership with Vista Furnishings.
But when she arrived at Vista Furnishings with Richard, the project team brushed her aside with only a couple of sentences,
“Ms. Ashford, I’m sorry, but your bidding slot was added last minute and isn’t in our official budget.”
The man’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Unless Mr. Skeldon signs off on it, no matter how good your
proposal is, it won’t matter.”
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Unfortunately, Howard Skeldon wasn’t in the office. He had taken his wife, Nydia Hubbard, to Aurora
Auction House.
Aurora Auction House hosted an exclusive private auction only twice a month, and every item that went on the block was a rare, one-of-a-kind treasure.
Rosalie didn’t hesitate. She turned to Richard. “We’re going to Aurora Auction House.”
The atmosphere inside Aurora Auction House was lavish, every corner glittering with wealth.
By coincidence, Rosalie spotted Lucian and Camelia in the crowd. They clearly saw her as well and were about to approach her. But Rosalie stopped in front of Howard and handed over her business card.
“Mr. Skeldon, I’m Rosalie Ashford from Vertex Tech. If I could take three minutes of your time, I’d like to
show you our proposal…”
Howard smiled as he wrapped an arm around Nydia. “Ms. Ashford, we’ll discuss business another day.”
Then, he patted Nydia’s hand lightly and said, “Tonight, my only job is to make sure my wife is happy. I’ll
be happy if she’s happy.”
The implication was obvious.
Soon, the auction began. Rosalie collected a bidder’s paddle and chose a seat at the back.
One exquisite piece after another was sold for staggering prices. Then, a diamond necklace was carried
onto the stage.
“Our next item is named Starlit Devotion,” the auctioneer, Norman Townsend, announced.
A thousand tiny diamonds sparkled like a river of stars, encircling a single pink diamond the size of a dove’s egg. Under the lights, it shimmered with a beauty that stole the breath out of everyone in the room.
Nydia’s eyes lit up instantly. She clutched Howard’s arm and said, “Darling, I want it!”
Across the room, Camelia’s gaze sparkled with desire. She tilted her head up toward Lucian with a pleading smile, “Lucian, I love it.”
However, Lucian’s expression was dark.
Starlit Devotion-that necklace had once been his gift to Rosalie on her 18th birthday. She had just started her internship at Stellar Group back then, and he had named it Starlit Devotion in her honor.
Lucian couldn’t understand why it was here. To him, it could only mean that Rosalie had either lost it or someone had stolen it and put it up for sale.
Norman’s voice rang out, sharp and energetic, “Starlit Devotion, starting bid at 500,000 dollars.”
The words had barely fallen when a low, lazy male voice came from one of the private boxes on the
Chapter 64 Starlit Devotion
second floor, “Five million dollars.”
Gasps swept through the hall, and everyone turned their heads toward the second floor.
