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."

a moment, his expression unreadable. "I see," he said finally. "You

being sold. He just came for Anya, and Anya was only interested in the painting. Instead of going

settle the matter regarding the painting at the auction house. It was not that she did not trust him; she was just too anxious to realize that she was glued to his

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 a bit away from sight, watching them

sat Autumn.

that Daniel Shaw, the CEO?" Autumn spotted them as they left

even know him?" Stanley

you know

painting too." Stanley muttered,

canary?" she asked, eliciting a raised brow from him. "Who is

from my book more than any

ears. She is already guarded. If she gets uncomfortable. You should know better than to compare people to characters," he

to a restaurant in silence, neither knowing what the other was thinking. The elegant ambiance of the

waiter served tea to

want that painting," she said, but Daniel did not respond. It was as though I was waiting for her to

anything for it,"

he asked, and she paused. He was right. He was a

for it at the price offered inside," she said

know you can't, or else 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 had a reason. It had nothing to do with loving the painting. "Then

chair, his expression blank. "Because, Anya,

know you wanted it?" she asked with a

"Yes." He answered.

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 look at her. "You would do anything for it,

conversation was heading." There is a limit. Holding this painting does not mean that I