Chapter 48

The moment he heard a massive third wheel was planning to tag along, Tristan's face turned stormy.

He whipped out his phone and called Kai. "Your girl wants to hit up the charity auction tonight. You're picking her up."

Once he hung up, a grin tugged at his lips. "Perfect.No one's in our way now."

Megan blinked. ".As a husband, you're amazing. As a brother, you're seriously shady."

The charity auction was being held at the Capital Convention Center.

A red, freshly laid carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the front doors.

On both sides, behind barricades, were reporters and fans waiting eagerly.

Tonight's guest list was packed with political big shots and entertainment A-listers, so the vibe was pure star -studded glam.

Sleek luxury cars pulled up one after another.

The men were dapper in tailored suits, the women elegant and stunning like they'd walked out of a fashion magazine. Then a Maybach with the license ending in 888 rolled up, and suddenly all cameras turned to focus on it.

As the door opened, a pair of polished, custom-made leather shoes hit the ground.

Tristan stepped out looking sharp in his suit, walked around the front of the car, and opened the passenger door. One hand gripped the frame, the other reached inside.

A delicate, fair hand landed in his palm, and he gently helped Megan out.

He wrapped an arm around her slim waist and, as they circled around the front, tossed the car keys to Cameron,who instantly turned valet and drove off.

The couple's entrance turned heads instantly.

Megan's skin was porcelain smooth, and the soft purple evening gown elevated her grace to another level. The off-shoulder neckline hinted at her elegant collarbones, while her silky black hair tumbled down her back-she looked like she'd stepped out of a dream.

Reporters from both sides started firing questions:

"Mr. Reid, you never bring a date-are you officially announcing your relationship tonight?"

"Mr. Reid, do you still remember the heiress of the Shaw family?"

Megan paused mid-step, turned to the reporter, and smiled. "That's me-Megan Shaw."

The reporter looked stunned. The Shaw heiress seemed even more radiant than the rumors. "But wasn't there talk of a runaway bride?"

Megan chuckled. "Only a fool would ditch a tall, rich,hot husband. Why would I run from that?"

Tristan raised an eyebrow. Wasn't that basically what you did?

Still, her answer clearly pleased him. He pulled her closer and declared, "We're already married. From now on, she's officially Mrs. Reid."

The flash of cameras lit them up like a movie premiere. And just like that, they were trending everywhere.

As they reached the venue's door, another car pulled up to the red carpet. Out stepped Jason Lewis,idol-level handsome in an all-white suit,exuding fairy-tale prince energy.

With sculpted features and sharp lines, every bit of him seemed like he'd walked off a dreamboard of teenage fantasies.The single diamond stud on his left ear gave off a bit of a wild vibe.

He tilted his head slightly, nodding to fans on both sides as he greeted them.

"Okay, okay, love you guys too..."

"We'll support you forever!"

...

Hearing the deafening screams behind her, Megan glanced back. "Oh wow, isn't that Jason, the movie king himself?"

"Like what you see?"

Tristan's voice came casually

Megan answered without thinking, "Yeah, he looks good!"

Tristan gave her a quick pinch on the waist."Eyes on me only!"

Megan pouted. "I wasn't done! He's handsome, sure-just a bit too pretty-boy for my taste."

Jason had been walking by fast, but those words floated right into his ears.

Did that woman just call him *too pretty*?

Seriously?

He mentally jotted down a note. She's on his blacklist now.

He sped up and brushed past them without a glance,but faintly heard Megan's soft, sweet voice trail behind him-

"Nobody's better looking than my hubby!"

Jason really wanted to look back and see who this blind chick was, daring to say he wasn't as attractive as Tristan.

But his pride kept him facing forward, worried that hearing another comment would ruin his whole night.

The convention center was split into the main hall,second floor, and third floor. The second and third floors had private rooms,reserved for VIP guests-top officials, business tycoons,elite families, the works.

Tristan and Megan were escorted into the first suite on the third floor.

The rooms on those two levels had tinted, one-way glass windows-people outside couldn't see who was inside.

It was a smart setup to protect bidders' privacy and avoid identity leaks that could drive up auction prices on purpose.

Still, as they stepped into the suite, someone had managed to catch a glimpse of them.

The charity auction officially kicked off.

Jayne, the top-tier host, walked onstage in a sharp silver-grey suit.

"Good evening, esteemed guests and kind hearts.We're truly grateful to have so many generous,influential people here contributing to philanthropic causes.

All the money raised tonight will go to the Angel Charity Foundation,aimed at helping special-needs groups,children with disabilities, building schools, and supporting public service projects."

A round of applause thundered through the venue.

Jayne went on, "Now, let's welcome the staff to present tonight's first auction item-a pair of custom ebony canes with gold inlays and engraved lion heads."

Staff stepped forward, carefully bringing in a tray that held the canes.

Jayne took over, smoothly giving a detailed run-down -what they were made of, their unique design, and which master craftsman designed them.

Megan rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "This cane set's kinda perfect for your grandpa's birthday. Since it's a pair, how about giving the other one to Uncle?"

She glanced at Tristan sideways. "You brought me here just to pick out gifts, didn't you?"

The man just smiled without saying a word.

On stage, Jayne announced, "Starting bid is 100thousand."

The moment he finished, voices started calling out prices-

"120 thousand!"

"150 thousand!"

"200 thousand!"

"430 thousand! Once!"

"430 thousand! Twice!"

Just then, Tristan leaned over and pressed the communication button on the table (if he didn't, their room wouldn't be heard outside) and said, "800thousand." "800 thousand! Once!"

"800 thousand! Twice!"

"800 thousand! Sold!"

"Congrats to the generous bidder from Room 1 on the third floor for their contribution to charity."

The crowd downstairs started buzzing, trying to guess who shelled out millions on a pair of canes.

Jayne moved on to the next item-a pair of Brazilian pink star diamond earrings.

Tristan snagged those too-for 3.8 million.

The third, the fourth... basically, anything that looked remotely pretty, he bid on and won.

Megan frowned a bit. "Babe, you just spent, what,five or six billion in like no time."

Tristan gently played with her fair fingers. "Money I make is money for my wife to spend."

Just then, his phone buzzed.

He picked up. "Bro, ease up with the bidding! Don't you know Kai's broke now?"

Tristan chuckled. "HHuh... actually, I didn't."

Then he hung up.

Meanwhile, in Room 3 on the second floor, Kai was scowling. He spoke in a low voice, "Rachel, are you seriously underestimating me like this?"

Rachel blinked innocently. "Nooo, just thought I'd help you save some cash!" Kai narrowed his eyes, pulled her into his arms. "Honey,if you want it, I'll get it. I've got money."

Rachel looked up at him, eyes shining with admiration."Kai, you're so cool."

He ended up winning every item after that.

Rachel couldn't help wondering-how was he affording all this? The drama with the Lee family basically had all his cards frozen.

Kai sipped his tea slowly and said, "Prestige Club's annual profit is 300 million.yeah, don't worry about my spending."

Rachel tilted her head thoughtfully. "We're almost at 200 million just tonight. You, Tristan, and Kevin are splitting the profits, right? Seems like your share's running low... Unless you're taking out a loan? You know the interest's insane. Or are you getting into sketchy loans?"

Kai bent down, bit her lip, and gritted his teeth, "Zip it!That's none of your business. I'm borrowing from next year's profits! Worst case, I owe Tristan a few million first!"

Rachel pouted. "It's fine, we don't have to pay him back."

Tristan:[Read my lips-leave!]

At that moment, Jayne gestured for the staff to bring in the ninth item-Heart of the Ocean.