Tangled in his Obsession novel Chapter 180

Seraphina Bennett didn't really have a hankering for a chinwag with Leandro, but his arrival had gotten quite a few heads turning, and given that they were in a public setting, she had no choice but to play nice.

So Seraphina extended her hand, which Leandro took.

Bowen, who was watching the scene, let out a chuckle.

Seraphina then introduced Bowen to Leandro, saying, “This is Mr. Smith.”

Leandro first glanced at Seraphina, then turned to Bowen, slow and steady. “Hello, Bowen Smith.”

Clearly, Bowen and Leandro didn't run in the same circles. When he heard Leandro call him by his full name, he looked rather taken aback but quickly brushed it off, extending his hand with a grin and saying, “Hello, Mr. Reynolds.”

Leandro shook hands with him, then asked, “Did you come alone, Mr. Smith?”

“Nope.” Bowen chuckled right away. “My date's over there. Sera, I'll leave you be with Mr. Reynolds.”

Seraphina responded with a smile.

Bowen headed off, and Seraphina turned to Leandro and said, “Fancy these kinds of events much, Mr. Reynolds?”

Leandro looked at her and answered, “Not really.”

Seraphina found this quite amusing.

The party was soon in full swing, and Seraphina and Leandro took their places.

The atmosphere was lively, with many celebrities in attendance and numerous charity-related activities planned.

Then came the charity auction, with a variety of items donated by the guests. Seraphina was quite intrigued by the offerings.

At the peak of the event, a staff member brought a painting onto the stage, accompanied by the late-arriving superstar Georgina, who had clearly donated the artwork.

Georgina picked up the microphone, apologized for her tardiness, and then began introducing the painting: “This is a landscape painted by the renowned artist Malcom and a friend of his. Such collaborations aren't common in the art world, but Mr. Malcom highly admires his friend's talent, hence this rare piece. I hope everyone bids generously. The winner will have the pleasure of dancing with me!”

The room burst into applause as soon as she finished speaking.

Seraphina, who had been quite active earlier, was now sitting still.

Leandro glanced at her, noticing that she was staring intently at the painting, seemingly deep in thought.

The bids quickly surpassed two million dollars and kept rising.

Leandro once again took Seraphina's hand.

His palm was warm, but her fingertips were quite cold.

The sounds of bids kept coming.

“2.6 million dollars!”

“2.7 million dollars!”

“2.8 million dollars!”

Seraphina wasn't as fidgety as before and sat quietly without moving.

Out of nowhere, Leandro's voice rang out beside Seraphina: “5 million dollars.”

The room instantly fell silent. Georgina looked at Seraphina from the stage and nodded at Leandro with a smile.