The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 52

Chapter 52: Plotting

When the painting, "Anya in the wind," was finally unveiled, Anya's breath caught in her throat. She had never thought she would get to see it again. But as the bidding began, Anya's excitement turned to dismay. The price quickly soared beyond her budget, and she realized quickly that even if she worked for a hundred years, she wouldn't be able to afford it.

Desperation gnawed at Anya as she watched the bids climb higher and higher. She could not. lose this painting again. Her agitation grew as her eyes found their way over to Daniel, who was watching the proceedings with a look of quiet determination. And then, to her utter shock, he raised his paddle.

Anya's heart sank as Daniel's bid was accepted, and the gavel fell with a decisive thud. The painting was his.

After the auction ended, Anya tapped Daniel by the shoulder, causing him to turn. She knew she had to swallow her pride and ask him for a conversation, no matter how much she disliked

the idea.

"Daniel," she said stiffly, her voice betraying none of the turmoil swirling inside her. "We

need to talk."

Daniel turned to face her; his expression remained soft, giving her the delusion that he liked her. As the thought crossed her mind, she waved it away. She could only hope he would be willing to part with the painting. "Of course

Anya," he replied, his tone gentle."Let's meet at the restaurant on the third floor."

Anya hesitated for a moment, steeling herself for the conversation to come. "I will go over and wait for you," she began, her voice steady. "I am guessing you already know what I wish to say, since you did not refuse to meet." Daniel displayed a self-deprecating smile right at that moment. "You want the painting?" he asked, his tone filled with certainty. He was not guessing. This was a fact.

Chipper 5) Plotting

Anya nodded stiffly, her jaw set in determination. "Yes. t holds sentimental value for me, and I would like to have it."

see," he said finally. "You go ahead to the restaurant; I will follow

not interested in anything being sold. He just came for Anya, and Anya

for him to settle the matter regarding the painting at the auction house. It was not that she did

reaction, Daniel recalled. what she had said. It held sentimental value to her. He finished with the auction, his eyes never straying too far from her. Only when he was done did she go up together. Unknown to them, Stanley sat

sat Autumn.

the CEO?" Autumn spotted them as

even know him?" Stanley asked

you know that he

painting too." Stanley muttered, his gaze

buy it for the canary?" she asked, eliciting a raised brow from him. "Who is the

canary from my book more than any

words you have just spouted-don't let them get to her ears. She is already guarded. If she gets uncomfortable. You should know better than to compare

relax and pulled out his phone. The next moment, he sent a message to a number and put his phone away. Daniel and Anya made their way up to a restaurant in silence, neither knowing what the other was thinking. The elegant ambiance of the upscale restaurant couldn't disguise the tension crackling

the waiter served

did not respond. It was as though I

willing to offer anything for it," she

he asked, and she paused. He was right.

at the

you would have bought it. Besides, wouldn't it defeat my purpose of buying it if I just gave it to you?" he asked. She suddenly understood that he

his expression blank. "Because, Anya,

bought it because you know you wanted it?" she

"Yes." He answered.

her nails digging into the fabric of her napkin. "What do you want? I don't believe you don't want something for it. To specifically buy something I desperately wanted, you want something from me, don't you?" Daniel looked down at his cup of coffee, unable to

where this conversation was heading." There is