Chapter 17 - Virtuous Auction

It was the day of the Annual Charity Event. This was mostly a time for rich people to donate a ridiculous amount of money to several foundations.

Lena wore a stunning long velvet dress that outlined all the curves on her body. The front has an opening just enough to also showcase her beautiful long legs. Her hair was curled and let loose.

Lena was tall enough to be a model. Her parents already went to the event beforehand. It was very few occasions that Lena arrived at events with her parents. In the past, she would always arrive with Andy. However, now, she was just taking too much time to pretty herself.

Just as she expected, the paparazzi were all over the entrance. All the rich folks would be attending this event and it would be missed opportunity to not be here.

Lena stepped out of her car like a queen. She walked slowly to the building making sure everyone can take a good look at her. Her beautiful long legs walking elegantly and her long dress flowing in sync as she walked.

"Look, isn't that Lena Shen? She is as beautiful as ever."

"Isn't the Shen Industry failing at the moment?"

"Didn't you hear? Zhao Corporation invested them, even investing in more than what Li Company did."

"What? I heard that Lena Shen went and caused trouble at the Zhao Corporation but that must have been wrong?"

"Obviously. I don't know what tricks she used for the Zhao to invest in them but the Shen stocks are rising very fast."

"But seeing that she is not here with Ming Zhao, then maybe their relationship is not as most expected? Didn't she just got out of a relationship with Andy?"

Lena was going to use her first favor card by making Ming Zhao to escort her today but she knew that she needed to avoid the gossips. She only has 5 favors for life, so she should use them wisely.

After all, her goal today is to make the Li's to retract their ban.

Lena arrived a bit late. Most people were already conversing with each other. Lena spot her parents talking to the Zhao's. Probably small chatter about the new partnership.

Ming Zhao was nowhere in sight, but she spotted her target in a corner with his friends. Lena smiled.

"Kris, is it just me or Lena Shen is smiling at us?" Lay hesitantly commented.

Kris glanced at Lena but she has already turned away and making her way to the refreshment table.

"Didn't you say that she will come begging on her knees but here she is, as stunning as ever, and the Shen Industry is booming more?"

Kris glared at Lay. "I don't want to hear anything about her. I will make her come crawling to me, that I promise."

Lay stopped mentioning Lena and anything related to her. Seeing how cold and dark Kris was, he knew that Kris probably planned something bad.

Lay doesn't want to know. He was just a happy party boy.

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"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. It is time for our annual auctioning. As you all know, every item here in the auction are donations and the money from the auction will go to several foundations." the keynote speaker, Abby, announced.

People began sitting down. Lena walked towards where her parents were and sat down with them. She silently nodded her head to greet the Zhao's because the event was starting.

"We welcome Mr. Kris Li to introduce the first that will be auctioned."

The audience clapped as Kris went up to the stage. The auction was not just a normal way to "donate" items but also a time for big companies to introduce their product and fame.

The auction also brings a little competition for the rich to flex their money and wealth.

"Thank you. The first item is the painting "A Thousand Blossom" painted by Gu Shang Wei. The starting bid is 1 million."

Gu Shang Wei was a famous general and after retirement, painted 8 artwork. In the end, it auctioned for over 6 million yuan.

Kris walked off the stage and went back to sit with his mother. His mother smiled at her proud son.

A few more items were auctioned before it was Lena's turn.

"For the next item, we have Miss. Lena Shen."

Lena stood up and elegantly walked up to the stage.

"Thank you. I am pleased to be here today to introduce such a monumental piece of jewelry and history. The item for auction is part of Empress Wu Zetian's set of jewelry that Emperor Taizong gifted to her, the virtuous necklace."

When Lena introduced the item, Madam Li's eye lite up. She slowly caressed the ring on her finger, which was also an item part of the set. Her husband gifted her this ring on their 10th anniversary.

She had then wanted to collect the entire set. She had no idea that the Shen family had had such an item.

Even without her uttering a word, Kris knew that his mother wanted this item. He stared back on stage to be greeted with a small smirk on Lena's face.

'What is this woman up to?'

"The starting bid is 2 million."

"2 million." Someone bid.

"2.5 million." Kris spoke.

"3 million."

"6 million."

"12 million."

"25 million."

The other person stopped. 25 million was over his budget.

"25 million. Going once, twice ---"

"30 million." A voice spoke.

Everyone turned to the sound of the voice. Lena stopped smiling.