Chapter 278: The Auction 3
"Then perhaps you shouldn’t have stood so close that you startled the lady."
Aquilo’s voice carried the unmistakable authority of a military commander—calm, controlled, and leaving no room for argument.
Anton Trillo met Colonel Vibora’s gaze for a long beat before an easy smile spread across his face.
"My mistake, Colonel Vibora."
He turned to Lara, and his smile softened into something effortlessly charming—the kind that had disarmed countless people before. Years ago, when he had been branded a rebel, that same smile, paired with his conviction and the reasons he gave for taking up arms, had swayed more than a million hearts.
"My apologies, Miss Reyes. I didn’t mean to startle you."
He slipped his hands into his pockets and tilted his head slightly.
"But I have to admit, I’m fascinated. How did you manage to uncover treasures that had remained hidden for centuries in such a short time?"
Lara met his probing stare without blinking.
"I came across an old map. I’d also been to Mount Ourea several times before."
Her voice remained steady, almost casual.
"The map offered clues, but the marked location wasn’t accurate."
Anton raised a brow.
"And how did you figure that out? You’ve piqued my curiosity."
"I dug through old records and documents online," Lara replied. "Piece by piece, I narrowed down the actual location."
Of course, she couldn’t tell him the truth—that she had buried the treasure herself centuries ago, alongside Alaric and her brothers.
"I also learned the treasures once belonged to the royal family," Anton said. "Shouldn’t they all have been returned to the Kromwel Museum?"
"Everything that legally belonged to the Kromwel Museum has already been returned," Lara answered evenly. "The rest rightfully belongs to the finder."
"Naturally."
As Anton spoke, his gaze drifted downward. It settled on the diamond pendant resting against the hollow of her chest.
His smile deepened.
"An exquisite necklace, Miss Reyes. It suits you perfectly."
His eyes lingered on the pendant a moment longer before returning to hers.
"So why sell something so beautiful?"
"This does not suit me." Lara answered.
Standing beside Lara, Aquilo recognized the look that flashed across Anton’s eyes.
It wasn’t admiration. It wasn’t simple desire. It was the unmistakable hunger of a man who couldn’t bear not possessing something he wanted it.
Aquilo took a deliberate step closer to Lara, placing himself just enough between her and Anton.
"Watch where your eyes wander," he said, his voice low but edged with warning.
Anton let out a soft chuckle.
"They’re exactly where they’re supposed to be. Didn’t Miss Reyes wore the necklace to showcase it?"
The smugness in his tone was unmistakable.
Aquilo’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. Were it not for the charity gala—and the crowd watching—Anton would have already found himself on the floor.
"Well, look who’s here."
A coquettish voice cut through the tension.
Scarlet, Summer, Layla, and several women dressed in figure-hugging evening gowns glided toward them, their smiles polished but insincere.
Scarlet’s gaze swept over Lara before settling on the diamond necklace around her neck.
"So it’s you, Larissa Reyes." Her lips curved into a mocking smile. "The lucky woman wearing the jewelry set that’s opening tonight’s auction."
Anton frowned. He has not finished his conversation with Lara yet, and the last thing he needed was a woman’s meddling and turning every gathering into a spectacle.
"Larissa," Summer chimed in sweetly, "aren’t you going to introduce us to your handsome date?"
Lara regarded Summer with an unreadable expression. She knew they hadn’t come to exchange pleasantries.
They were here to provoke her. But tonight wasn’t the time to indulge them.
"Don’t you already know Colonel Aquilo Vibora?" she asked coolly. "Why pretend otherwise?"
Summer’s smile faltered.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I’m quite sure you’ve met him before."
Lara paused just long enough for anticipation to build.
"On Isla."
The three women froze.
Their eyes snapped to the man standing beside Lara. Only then did they truly look at him.
The impeccably tailored black suit. The commanding posture. The cold, disciplined gaze.
Recognition struck them all at once.
It was Aquilo Vibora.
Without his military uniform, they hadn’t recognized him immediately. Clad in a tailored suit instead of fatigues, he looked every bit the refined gentleman—yet nothing about him had softened. The quiet authority that clung to him remained as imposing as ever.
If anything, it was even more intimidating.
"We sincerely apologize for not recognizing you, Colonel," Layla said, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. "You look... very different in a suit."
Despite herself, her eyes lingered on him, sparkling with barely concealed admiration.
"And who is this other man beside you Larissa? Your sugar daddy?" Scarlet asked smugly.
Lara smirked. Scarlet was digging her own grave.
A woman in a crimson evening gown leaned toward Scarlet and whispered something into her ear.
Scarlet’s confident smile vanished. Her face paled.
She immediately turned to Anton, her posture becoming noticeably more respectful.
"Mr. Anton Trillo," she greeted with practiced elegance. "What an unexpected honor. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."
Why is someone like him wasting his time talking to that damned Larissa Reyes? She thought.
"Young lady," Anton interrupted before she could say another word. "The pleasure is entirely yours."
Scarlet’s smile widened.
Then Anton continued.
"As for me, I’m not pleased at all."
Her smile froze.
"You interrupted my conversation with Miss Reyes."
His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried clearly enough for those nearby to hear.
Several guests turned their heads in their direction. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Scarlet felt every pair of curious eyes settle on her.
Heat rushed to her face until her cheeks burned crimson.
This old man... Did he really have to say that out loud?
Anton, seemingly oblivious to her humiliation—or perhaps enjoying it—smiled pleasantly.
"Since you’ve stolen my time with Miss Reyes," he said, "you’ll have to make it up to me."
He extended a hand.
"You owe me a dance tonight."
"What?" Scarlet was too stunned it took her moments before she could reorganized her thoughts.
"You must be kidding, Mr. Trillo." Scarlet appeared respectful but inside she was revolting.
How dare an old man ask me for a dance?
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