My Billionaire Built An Empire For Me Then Broke My Face For Her Chapter 05

My Billionaire Built An Empire For Me Then Broke My Face For Her Chapter 05

While news of my retirement spread across the internet, Julian Black remained completely oblivious. He was currently accompanying Chloe Vance to a high-profile charity gala in Beverly Hills.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the ballroom, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day. Chloe wore a silver mermaid gown, her arm linked through Julian’s as she wore a perfectly poised smile. Paparazzi aimed their long lenses at the couple, and camera flashes popped incessantly. This was Chloe’s major debut since signing with Blackwood Entertainment, and Julian’s personal attendance ensured maximum media exposure.

“Mr. Black, look this way!”

“Miss Chloe, you look absolutely stunning tonight!”

Chloe leaned obediently against his shoulder, offering an elegant air kiss to the cameras. Julian didn’t smile, but he didn’t push her away, either.

The live auction began. The first item up for bid was an emerald necklace with a starting price of one hundred thousand dollars. Chloe turned her head and leaned close to Julian’s ear. Her voice was pitched just right—soft enough to seem intimate, but loud enough for those around them to hear: “Julian, that necklace is gorgeous.”

Julian said nothing. He simply raised his paddle.

“One million.”

The room fell silent. The auctioneer brought down the gavel, and the emerald necklace went to Julian Black. Chloe’s eyes curved into

The second item was an oil painting. After a brief display of affection from Chloe, Julian raised his paddle again. Then came the third, fourth, and fifth items. Whenever Chloe’s gaze lingered on a piece for more than three seconds, Julian would raise his paddle without even blinking during the bidding war.

Whispers soon rippled through the ballroom.

“Is Mr. Black planning to take the entire auction home?”

“Who exactly is this Chloe Vance? She’s incredibly spoiled.”

“Haven’t you read TMZ? Evelyn Sterling has been kicked out. The woman by Mr. Black’s side now is her.”

“Wow, the new always replaces the old.”

Listening to the gossip, the curve of Chloe’s lips grew wider. She tightened her grip on his arm, practically hanging off him, her eyes unable to hide her smug satisfaction. Tilting her head, she lowered her voice. “Julian, everyone is staring at us.”

Julian didn’t look at her. His gaze remained fixed on the podium ahead, his tone indifferent. “Focus on the auction.”

Chloe pouted slightly, but quickly resumed her radiant smile. It didn’t matter. The fact that he was willing to accompany her today and spend money on her was more than enough.

Finally, the highlight of the evening made its grand entrance. A hostess walked onto the stage carrying a velvet-lined tray. Resting quietly on the red fabric was a brooch shaped like a butterfly, its

wings encrusted with sapphires. At its center sat a massive
fifteen-carat Paraiba tourmaline, glowing in a brilliant, deep-sea blue.

Even the auctioneer’s voice carried a hint of excitement. “Ladies and
gentlemen, this is tonight’s crown jewel: The Butterfly of the Deep
Sea. Custom-commissioned by European royalty in the late
nineteenth century, it features a fifteen-carat Paraiba tourmaline as
the centerpiece, surrounded by one hundred and eight natural
sapphires. The opening pledge is five million dollars.”

A collective murmur of awe echoed through the hall. Chloe stared
intently at the brooch, unconsciously clutching Julian’s sleeve.
“Julian, the Butterfly of the Deep Sea is breathtaking.” Her voice
trembled with barely suppressed greed. “I want it.”

Julian glanced down at her. His eyes were filled with cold scrutiny,
instantly dousing Chloe as if she’d been splashed with ice water.
Before she could even process the rejection, Julian had already raised
his hand to make a pledge.

“I’ll pledge six million.”

“Seven million,” someone else called out.

“Eight million.”

Everyone in the room was clearly there for this specific piece. The
pledges climbed rapidly, soon surpassing ten million dollars. Julian’s
expression remained entirely unchanged.

“Twenty million.”

No one else placed a bid. Julian secured the brooch without contest.

Just as the hostess prepared to respectfully hand over the Butterfly of the Deep Sea to Chloe, exactly as she had with the previous items, Julian suddenly spoke up.

“Wait.”

All eyes turned toward him.

“That twenty-million-dollar pledge is a direct donation to the foundation. But I want the physical brooch delivered to Evelyn Sterling.”