OLIVER CAGE: Return Of The Lionheart

Chapter nine

The Grandeur Art Auction was indeed the event of the month. Millionaires trooped into that art gallery from all over the country, sending each other admirable looks, as well as looks of slander.

The event was hosted by Amelia Grandeur, the daughter of Emil Grandeur, one of the art professors in the city. 

Amelia, like her father, had inherited a love for the arts. She established an orphanage and allowed her kids to paint. 

But unfortunately, the rich folks did not pay much to buy their work on ordinary days. She was broke and was at the brim of shutting down the orphanage.

She had to rely on events such as this to get funds for her orphanage. The art auction then became a meeting ground for millionaires to discuss business in a fun and lively way, neglecting the children in the process.

"The works are terrible, aren't they? She shouldn't let her bloody orphans paint."

Elina said to Gerald as she clutched to him. 

"Hmm." That was all he responded with. 

There was a particular painting that he considered to be the worst of them all. But it was obvious that the painting was a child's work. 

"Is this supposed to be a phoenix? It looks like an ostrich. What was she even thinking about allowing her poor brats to paint something so horrible?" Elina commented on another painting hanging by the wall.

"Perhaps she should stop. These artworks are torture. If not for the sake of public appearance, I would not be here. Plus, she doesn't want to give the property to me. I can convert the orphanage to a factory and make more money." Gerald slowly stated. Elina saw him frown.

"Cheer up Gerald. You're in public. Don't embarrass me." Elina shot at him. Gerald sighed as they kept observing the terrible works.

Suddenly, photographers rushed to the entrance of the gallery. People started whispering inaudible things. 

"What's going on?" Elina asked Gerald as she turned to face the entrance. He did not respond. He turned around with her.

What came next were the flashes of light from the camera as someone walked into the galley. The commotion lingered as the lights flickered. Then, the person came into view.

"No way! What is he doing here?"

Elina gasped as Oliver came into view. He was dressed in a white Armani suit, and white shoes, and wore a white mask over his face.

Gerald suddenly felt so small when Oliver came into the room. Why did he have to come? Who the heck was he anyway?

Gerald's face darkened as Oliver approached them, and when he saw Elina looking at him with intrigue, he frowned.

"Look who we have here. My little friends. Came to feed your eyes as well?" Oliver asked them. Elina scoffed.

"You have some nerve coming here, after what you did the last time. Do you think we cannot destroy you?" She asked him.

Oliver chuckled behind the mask. He placed his hand into his suit pocket and brought out a white rose. He handed it to Elina and slowly caressed the top of her hand.

"A white rose does wonders in calming the nerves. Seems like you need it." He told her.

Elina gasped. She gritted her teeth in anger. But she did not let go of the rose.

"How dare you speak to her that way?" Gerald said, bridging the space between Oliver and Elina.

"We don't need to do this. We are not children. Did you come here to spend on some artwork, or are you here to bicker like a child?" Oliver asked Gerald. Gerald clenched his fist to punch Oliver in the face but remembered that they were in public.

He fought so hard to resist the urge to punch Oliver in the face.

"Amelia!" Gerald barked. Amelia soon joined them. She wore a look of worry on her face as she joined them.

"Get the auction started, immediately," Gerald ordered. His chest heaved up and down as he frowned at Oliver. Oliver smiled behind the mask. His plan was working.

"But Mr. Blackburn, it is not yet time for the auction…"

"Just do it!" Gerald barked. Amelia nodded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please head to the central hall. The auction is about to begin." Amelia announced.

There was a murmur from the crowd but they proceeded regardless.

"I guess I'll see you in there. May the richest man get the best price." Oliver said to Gerald and walked into the auction room. 

He took his seat at seat number 20. Elina and Gerald sat at seats 32 and 33 respectively.

Then, the auction officially began.

Gerald watched Oliver closely as more and more artworks were being sold. The more he looked at Oliver, the more he fumed.

The auctioneer sold all of the paintings until only the Phoenix painting was left. 

"And now, we have the Phoenix. Isn't she a beauty?" The auctioneer tried to pacify them with words, but no one was interested in buying it.

"Two million dollars for the Phoenix."

Oliver suddenly said out loud. The crowd gasped. That was the highest bid that night. Even Amelia's jaw dropped to the floor.

'No. I will not let him win.' Gerald said to himself.

"Five million dollars for the Phoenix." Gerald suddenly blurted out. Elina gazed at him in surprise.

"Gerald, what are you doing?" She whispered, but Gerald was silent. His countenance was dark. He wanted to make a point about his masculinity.

"Ten million." Oliver raised the bid. 

"Twenty million."  The crowd exclaimed Gerald mentioned his bid.

"Gerald, stop this. Now!" Elina spat.

"Fifty million," Oliver said.

Amelia could feel her knees going numb. She couldn't believe what was happening.

"One hundred million," Gerald pronounced. Everyone expected the bid to end, but it seemed like none of the men were ready to give up.

"Two hundred million," Oliver said.

"Two hundred and fifty million…" Gerald immediately countered.

"Gerald please stop! Get a hold of yourself." Elina literally begged.

"Four hundred million."

Oliver stated. The crowd gasped. The pressure had gotten even more tense. Everyone looked at Gerald. He thought for a moment.

There was a silence that lasted two seconds. The entire room felt cold.

"Five hundred million dollars," Gerald pronounced.

"No!" Elina slapped her face in frustration.

The crowd looked at Oliver for a counter, but he was silent. 

"Five hundred million dollars, going once, going twice… the Phoenix has been sold for five hundred million dollars, to Mr Gerald Blackburn."

Amelia staggered back when she heard the amount. Her eyes were wide open. That money would care for even more children, and Gerald would no longer bother her about shutting her down.

 As the crowd clapped heavily for Gerald, Oliver got up and walked towards Gerald's seat.

"Enjoy your painting," Oliver said to him.

Oliver then chuckled as he walked out of the room.

Gerald could not understand how Oliver could still be cheerful even after losing the auction to him.

Was there something he was missing? The pride he felt when he was pronounced the winner suddenly faded. He slowly looked at Elina who was fighting back the urge to cry.

"You fool! He never came here to win the auction. He came here to lose to you. You just gave Amelia the money she needs to revive the orphanage! Why don't you ever think?"

Elina yelled at Gerald, and she ran out of the auction room. The crowd could not understand why she was angry.

They kept clapping for Gerald, but after hearing Elina's words, Gerald felt the world spin. He had played right into Oliver's trap.

"Fuck…"

He muttered before he slumped.