"Three million... sold!"

The auction room buzzed with high bids, truly living up to the grandeur of the event.

By this point, more than half of Ethan's artworks had been auctioned off. While a small portion ended up in others' hands, the majority were surprisingly purchased by Princess Ainebez.

This sparked even more discussions among the crowd.

After all, from the start, it was the Princess who had asked Ethan to escort her into the event, and during the auction, she chose to sit with him.

Now, they sat in the front row, occasionally bowing their heads to converse, drawing a lot of attention.

In fact, most of the time, it was Ainebez asking Ethan questions, like what mood he was in when creating a particular painting.

Ethan could only answer.

What else could he do, given that she purchased his works for the most money?

However, the two pairs of eyes staring from behind were certainly putting a lot of pressure on him.

Anya and Sofia were sitting right behind them, their silent gazes practically tangible.

This made it incredibly uncomfortable to sit still.

"Three million," once again Ainebez laid down the money, buying one of Ethan's pure line drawings.

"Your Highness, maybe leave some opportunities for others?"

Firstly, this was extremely conspicuous, and secondly, the painting wasn't worth that much; it was just a doodle.

After all she's done to help, seeing her waste money like this made Ethan uneasy.

"Why, don't you like me buying your paintings?"

Ainebez's tone was elusive; what seemed like a normal question carried an air of ambiguity at that moment.

Ethan suddenly felt the stares from behind grow even sharper.

This was not easy to answer.

"Of course, I want everyone to like my paintings, and Your Highness's affection is delightful to me, but because of this, others who want them should also have a chance."

While Ethan navigated through this strange whirlpool.

In a hidden room beside the venue.

The Eldest Prince Hughes actually came; upon hearing the latest bid, he couldn't help but sigh, yet with some affection: "Aunt, look, that Ain, she's really spoiled to the core."

Beside him sat Lady Sosde, who rescued Ethan that night and was also Sofia's mother.

Instead of showing indulgence like Hughes, Lady Sosde displayed a peculiar expression, mixed with disdain and a trace of pity. Finally, she just said lightly, "What are you doing here today?"

"I'm just here to see the most famous artist recently. Everyone loves Ethan, such charm. You know I love art."

Hughes's smile was flawless, as if every line on his face had been rehearsed.

"Really?"

Lady Sosde gazed at Hughes's face and laughed.

"Hughes, remember when you were little, you liked me the most, always following me around. So I know exactly what you look like when you lie. After all these years, you haven't changed that habit?"

Hughes's face was perfect, handsome and rugged, full of masculine charm while not lacking in refinement, with his unique purple hair adding an unspeakable allure.

Now, his left eyebrow slightly twitched.

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to."

Lady Sosde added.

Hughes didn't respond to that, instead gazing somewhere in the room before suddenly exclaiming: "Oh, did I get it wrong, is that cousin? Haven't seen her in years, should we say hello later?"

Lady Sosde's expression turned cold abruptly.

"Don't touch my daughter."

With that, she stood up and walked towards the door.

"Aunt, no need to see me off."

——————————

In the auction hall.

The auction of Ethan's paintings had temporarily reached a lull.

The truly significant pieces, like that urinal, were, of course, saved for the finale, along with "The Last Judgement" and others.

Now, they switched to works from other joint exhibitors.

For instance, up for auction was a handbag by Princess Ainebez, crafted by a renowned designer and made with expensive materials.

Quickly, the handbag reached a high price of fifty thousand.

Ainebez quietly asked Ethan, "Don't you want my handbag?"

"I... don't really need it, do I?"

Of course, Ethan couldn't take it, with eyes watching him from behind.

"I remember you have two female companions, right?"

With a 'thud,' Sofia finally couldn't resist kicking the back of Ethan's chair.

Anya immediately stopped her.

The handbag's final price settled at sixty thousand, won by a middle-aged woman dressed as a noble lady.

Next up were more items from Ainebez, but this time it wasn't just a handbag; it was a pair of shoes she once wore.

Also masterpieces by a renowned designer, encrusted with jewels.

Ethan dared not speak.

The shoes soared to a high price of one hundred thousand.

The bidder was a man around thirty, with a little moustache.

Ethan glanced briefly, recalling this man's information, Count Jiakade, known for his drinking and womanizing.

He had audacity; he didn't even spare the Princess, eyeing those shoes with a strange possessiveness while glancing at Ainebez, seemingly awaiting her reaction.

Ainebez showed extreme disgust, then suddenly leaned close to Ethan, so near that Ethan could smell the orchid-like fragrance on her.

"Help me win them, consider it a favor. You don't want that kind of person getting my shoes, right?"

Her expression immediately turned pitiable, coupled with a mature charm beyond her years, it was practically heartbreaking.

Hearing her plea, Ethan could only bite the bullet and bid two hundred thousand.

This instantly caused a stir in the room.

There had already been much talk about Ethan and Ainebez.

When Ainebez's handbag wasn't bid on by him, people wondered, but now with the shoes, everyone suddenly understood.

Turns out, this was what he was waiting for.

In contrast, Anya and Sofia quieted down, perhaps empathizing with Ainebez as fellow women.

Ultimately, Ethan successfully acquired the pair of shoes.

As for the debauched Count Jiakade, he cast a provocative glance at Ethan.

Ethan didn't mind, knowing this man squandered away family wealth.

At this moment, with Ainebez finally relieved, her face flushed, she whispered, "You... you better not handle them yourself..."

'Thud'—

This time, it was Anya's fist pounding on the back of Ethan's chair.

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