Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 38

Monica froze in disbelief, her fingers gripping the edge of a nearby table as the ernicee’s voice rang out over the audience.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our final participant for the evening, plese welcome Isabella Rossi, heiress of the Rossi Group.”

The crowd erupted into murmurs of excitement as Izzy’s name was announced. Monica’s stomach twisted as she watched Izzy step onto the stage, her every movement poised and delibere. She wore an elegantly simple evening gown that hugged her figure in all the right ways, the material shimmering subtly under the stage lights. The elegance wasn’t ostentatious—it was effortless, infuriatingly so. She even changed clothes? What the hell!?

“What is she doing here?” Arianna muttered next to Monica, her voice dripping with irritation. “She wasn’t even supposed to be part of this. Why does she always have to steal the spotlight?”

Monica didn’t respond, her eyes glued to Izzy. Hatred bubbled inside her as the crowd’s whispers turned to applause. The emcee detailed Izzy’s accomplishments–her role in the Rossi Group and her family’s extensive charity work. Each word felt like a dagger twisting deeper into Monica’s pride. Izzy doesn’t have a fucking role inside Rossi Group! What the hell are they talking about!?

“Of course,” Arianna hissed, crossing her arms. “Miss Perfect Rossi, waltzing in at the last second to outshine everyone. I worked for this moment! What does she even care about at a charity auction? She’s probably donating millions anyway.”

“She’s making a mockery of this,” Monica spat, her jaw clenched She’s not here for the cause. She’s here to humiliate me.” On stage, Izzy stood with a calm smile, her gaze sweeping the crowd like she owned the room. Monica could see the subtle tension in Izzy’s posture, which only made her angrier. Even when nervous, Izzy managed to look flawless.

“And now, we’ll start the bidding at five thousand dollars,” the emcee announced, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. “But this time, we’re changing things up to make it more exciting! Unlike previous events where bidding was anonymous, tonight everyone can bid to their heart’s content using the paddles being handed out by our servers. Don’t be shy–raise your

te high and let the fun begin!” He smiled, gesturing to the staff distributing elegant paddles to the attendees. “And let’s get,” he added warmly. “All proceeds from tonight’s auction will go directly to the wonderful charities organized by

mparable Mrs. Weiss. Let’s make this an unforgettable evening of generosity!”

Immediately, a paddle shot up from the middle of the room. “Five thousand,” the emcee confirmed. “Do I have ten?”

“Ten thousand,” came another bid, this one from a man seated near the front. The murmurs grew louder as paddles started going up across the room.

“Fifteen thousand!” the emcee declared, pointing toward a bidder on the left. “Do I hear twenty?”

“Twenty!” called someone from the back.

Monica’s nails dug into her palm as the numbers climbed higher Izzy stood gracefully on stage, her expression unchanged as the auction gained momentum and every new bid sent a fresh wave of frustration surging through Monica.

“This is ridiculous,” Arianna fumed. “Do these people even care about the charity, or are they just bidding because it’s her?”

“Fifty thousand!” a voice called, silencing the murmurs.

The emcee paused, his face lighting up in astonishment. “Fifty thousand dollars, ladies and gentlemen! All proceeds will, of course, go toward supporting orphanages around the globe.”

who had placed the bid, but she could feel the shift in the room’s energy. Everyone was watching Izzy now,

off,” Arianna

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Chapter 38

Monica replied. “She always

around the room, his excitement liarely combined. “Fifty thousand

thousand,” came another voice, cutting through the

88%1

crowd, and even Izzy blinked, her calth facade faltering for a split second. Monica’s heart raced, torn between anger and curiosity.

emcee grinned. “Fifty–five thousand! Do I

paddle went up almost immediately. “Sixty

see who was behind the escalating bids. Monica craned her neck, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Calen, seated calmly at his table, his paddle held high. Her

bidder countered, an older gentleman near the front.

pitch. “Sixty–five thousand! Ladies and gentlemen, remember, every penny will go to support orphaned children worldwide. Do

thousand,” the emcee announced,

trembled as the realization settled in. Calen wasn’t just bidding, he was determined to win. Every ounce of attention she’d fought for tonight

was moments away from striking the gavel when a commanding voice rang

“One hundred thousand.”

turned as if choreographed, searching for the source of the bid. Izzy’s skipped a beat as her gaze followed theirs, and there, standing with an air of

that almost made him look angelic, Liam stood

across her face. “What is he doing here?” she whispered harshly, gripping the edge of

took Izzy a moment to process what had just happened. Liam met her eyes briefly, his expression unreadable but firm. Her mind raced. Why was he bidding? She wanted to ask him what he was doing but she knew it was impossible, so she waited. Surely, he was

emcee recovered quickly. “One hundred thousand dollars, ladies and gentlemen! Do I hear one–fifty?”

react, Calen raised

room rising to a fever pitch. All eyes darted between Liam and Calen, the two men

root.

she hissed to Arianna, whose eyes were wide with shock. “Calen’s going to

H

“This is about her. She’s drawing

emcee, nearly breathless, called out, “Two hundred thousand! Do I hear

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Chapter 38

G