Delayed Passion: Miss Lynch's Unrequited Love-Chapter 78: At Odds with Nina Sinclair

Sure, here is the translation:

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"Mr. Preston, Miss Lynch and Mr. Bell are at Table 3 on the second floor, to the left."

The assistant leaned over and softly reported to Ian Preston.

Seated at the head of the table, the man rested one hand on the armrest of the redwood chair, his fingers rubbing against the raised patterns on the teacup, as he asked deeply, "Are they all here?"

"Yes. I just asked, Miss Lynch and Mr. Bell arrived together. They’ve been seated upstairs on the second floor and haven’t moved since."

The assistant relayed the information he had gathered meticulously to Ian Preston.

The man stared straight ahead, looking at the auction stage below without saying a word. He was always like this, remaining calm in the face of events, leaving people unable to discern his thoughts at the moment.

The assistant could only probe his intentions: "Should I invite Miss Lynch over?"

Working beside Mr. Preston for seven or eight years now, everyone had witnessed just how much Mr. Preston cared about Miss Lynch, probably more than even Miss Lynch herself realized.

Thus, at this moment, they could not bring Mr. Bell over, only Miss Lynch could be invited.

Ian Preston lowered his gaze and subtly sipped his tea.

Those who could remain by Ian Preston’s side were all exceptional individuals, and this was no exaggeration. Because most of the time, they did not receive clear instructions, relying only on themselves to gauge and comprehend Ian Preston’s current meaning.

Just like now.

After a silent two seconds, the assistant nodded, signaled to another specialist assistant, and quietly exited the private box.

—

Setting aside Sean Bell’s antics, Thea Lynch was in a rather good mood today. She estimated that in another twenty minutes or so, it would be her turn to bid on the painting she wanted.

Currently, bidding in the venue was not particularly fierce. It was a charity auction, and the final proceeds would all be donated.

"The next auction item is donated by Mr. Ian Preston, President of LX Capital; a 104-carat D-color flawless diamond necklace. Starting bid is 30 million."

"..."

Thea Lynch froze for a moment, picked up the handbook on the table, and carefully flipped through it. It wasn’t listed inside; it was added last minute.

Seeing the necklace, Sean Bell raised a brow unexpectedly, observing Thea Lynch’s every move from the corner of his eye.

"This necklace looks familiar, saw it at Third Brother’s house the other day," he commented, always stirring excitement. "Thought it was meant to woo some girl."

Thea Lynch didn’t respond.

The final price Ian Preston paid for it was already close to forty million; he truly was generous, donating it after all.

Downstairs, upon hearing it’s Ian Preston’s donation, everyone naturally showed respect, continuously bidding without interruption.

"Number 3, forty-eight million."

At the sound, Thea Lynch turned to look at Sean Bell as he just put down his bidding card. "Why are you making a fuss?"

"Didn’t you notice Ms. Sinclair is bidding too?"

"..."

Thea Lynch glanced downstairs, noticing Nina Sinclair dressed in the same red velvet attire, standing out prominently in the crowd. As expected, Nina Sinclair followed suit.

Sean Bell chuckled, "Does she have such wealth being just a host?"

Fifty million had already exceeded the necklace’s original value.

There were three types of people bidding now: like Nina Sinclair, those trying to ingratiate themselves with Ian Preston, and those like Sean Bell stirring trouble.

Soon, those trying to impress Ian Preston quietly stopped.

Only Nina Sinclair and Sean Bell remained in deadlock.

Now the bidding had reached almost sixty million, with Nina Sinclair seemingly determined, persisting in her bids.

Seeing Sean Bell attempting to raise the bid again, Thea Lynch quickly held his hand down, gently shaking her head, "This is enough. This necklace isn’t worth this much. At the final price, she would lose at least half."

"If you continue to bid, she may not keep up."

From her perspective, she could clearly see Nina Sinclair’s every move, noticing her frequent glances towards the second floor, evidently struggling.

She understood Sean Bell intended to raise the price, but bidding to this extent was sufficient.

Sean Bell and she exchanged a glance.

In his eyes, Thea Lynch saw the mania, she firmly held him down.

"Fifty-six million once, fifty-six million..."

Downstairs, the hammer was about to fall, as everyone believed no one was going to bid more, someone emerged from the central second-floor box, raising a hand to indicate.

Seeing this, the auctioneer hesitated, "Number 1, Mr. Preston bids sixty million. Sixty million once."

"..."

The crowd turned around to look at the second floor.

Thea Lynch also stared in disbelief at that area.

"Sixty million thrice, congratulations to Mr. Preston." The hammer fell downstairs, silence encompassed the room.

No one understood Ian Preston’s maneuver, donating and then buying it back at a higher price.

Throughout the venue, only Sean Bell appeared to understand.

"Interesting," he chuckled, lazily leaning on his chair, sighing.

From afar, Thea Lynch saw the assistant at the box doorway approaching her, prompting a slight furrow in her brows.

The person came closer, lowering their voice, "Miss Lynch, Mr. Preston requests your presence."

The next item was the chess painting she wanted, Thea Lynch didn’t budge, "Later, I’ll come after I get the painting."

The assistant pondered for a moment, finally giving a slight smile. As they left, they didn’t forget to nod towards Sean Bell.

Once the person left, Sean Bell propped his head with one hand, teasing, "Third Brother didn’t even ask me over, but he’s devoted to you. Who among us is closer to him?"

"You know it yourself, don’t you? You’re so repellent, why would he invite you?"

Thea Lynch finished the wine in her glass, sat properly, watching the auctioneer downstairs start showcasing the chess painting.

"Today’s sixth auction item is the 1943 creation ’Chess Painting’, opening bid eighteen million."

"Mr. Preston, twenty million once."

"Twenty-two million."

"..."

The bidding was fierce downstairs, Thea Lynch remained unmoving, showing no intention to raise her paddle. Instead, Ian Preston joined in twice.

Sean Bell quietly watched.

It wasn’t until there was a lull below and the auctioneer was preparing to strike the hammer that Thea Lynch calmly placed her bid.

The auctioneer nodded, "Number 3 bids twenty-eight million."

As soon as they heard it was Number 3, everyone knew it was Sean Bell, and naturally, no one dared opposed him, no one bid further.

Just when everyone thought the auction would end here, someone downstairs raised a paddle, "Number 21, thirty million."

Upon hearing the auctioneer’s voice, Sean Bell suddenly laughed.

In contrast, Thea Lynch calmly continued to bid, "Thirty-four million."

"Number 3, thirty-four million once, thirty-four..."

"Number 21, thirty-six million."

"A moment ago, Third Brother bid, she probably thought Third Brother wanted it," Sean Bell.

Thea Lynch glanced at him, "You made such a big move earlier, she’s not blind." It wasn’t necessarily because of Ian Preston.

But regardless of the reason, tonight they’re definitely butting heads.

"Then stop bidding. You said earlier that this painting isn’t worth that much."

Sean Bell feigned persuasion.

Thea Lynch bid again, Nina Sinclair continued to follow, holding onto it tightly.

She was doing it deliberately, using Sean Bell’s earlier trick against them. Thea Lynch squinted, a hint of anxiety flashed between her eyebrows.

Reason told her there’s no need to get carried away.

But...

"Number 3, forty-five million."