Chapter 395: The Moment Everyone Awaits, Cupid Descends
"Hold on, I’ll bid half a million!"
An anxious male voice rang out from thin air, a classic Clayton moment—unexpected interference, bound to annoy anyone watching.
Especially when the host was about to seal the deal with the gavel.
The crowd spun around in shock, only to realize the bidder was Tyson Law!
Fiona Vaughn was nestled in his arms, shooting Cecilia Vaughn a sweet, slightly embarrassed smile.
"Sorry, Sis, I really like this painting too. How about you let me have it?"
"I mean, Sis, you just won ten million US Dollars, right? If you’re really determined to fight for it, let’s see who’s stronger. I believe Tyson would do whatever it takes to buy this painting for me."
...
If you truly liked it, wouldn’t you have bid earlier?
Why wait until the charity sale is nearly settled before bidding?
"No matter, if you like it, you should have it."
With that, Cecilia lowered her charity auction paddle with poise and ease.
She was only drawn to the innocent solitude behind every brushstroke, and since nobody cared about the painting, she just casually made a bid out of interest.
Since Fiona insisted on fighting for it, Cecilia really had no motivation to compete.
Hearing Cecilia’s indifferent tone, Fiona suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
Her aim was to stir Cecilia up, but as things stood, she simply went ahead and bought that childish painting.
"Alright, thanks for letting me have it, Sis."
...
From then on, Cecilia never picked up her paddle again.
Fiona, on the other hand, bid left and right, hogging the spotlight.
"Thanks to Miss Fiona’s generous support of the Light of Love auction—winning three children’s paintings, four Light of Love souvenirs, and one bamboo kite, totaling more than nine million!"
The host praised Fiona effusively on stage, with applause and cheers erupting below.
"Miss Fiona really is a goddess. Honestly, those items aren’t even good enough for a beggar, but she spent so much money on them."
"True, but everyone here chipped in a little something—just to flaunt their charitable side."
"But I noticed one person didn’t spend a single dime the entire time!"
All ears perked up in curiosity.
"Who?"
"The goddess Fiona’s sister, Cecilia Vaughn!"
A girl snorted dismissively upon hearing this.
"Maybe she just wanted to walk the red carpet. Didn’t you see Cecilia sitting in the corner all night? Bet she lost interest after the red carpet and decided not to donate."
"No wonder she bid on that doodle nobody cared about. It was cheap! Every item after that started higher."
...
Cecilia heard their chatter and quietly found it amusing.
She had no intention of arguing and instead tapped open the Light of Love touchscreen booklet given to every guest.
She wasn’t interested in the big headline charity events, but her attention was caught by a remote mountain ’Love Breakfast’ initiative tucked in the corner.
This event had detailed donation records, real photo coverage of every breakfast outreach, and periodic invitations for donors to visit in person.
Cecilia thought about it: compared to those opaque donation accounts, this one actually seemed transparent—a clear stream in the mud. She chose to stay anonymous and transferred ten million from her own account.
She even added a special note: Please show the use of every one thousand donated, I’ll keep an eye on it."
...
"Auction’s over—everyone, please open your touchscreen booklet. Up next: the thrilling Cupid’s Arrival contest! Who will be this year’s Love God?"
The host smiled warmly and bowed deeply to everyone.
"But before we select Cupid, allow me to introduce the Light of Love online activities. Even after tonight, you all can still share your love at the Light of Love website."
The host spoke as she demoed the donation programs on the projection screen.
Suddenly, an alert flashed on the screen for a ten-million donation!
She froze momentarily, then quickly exclaimed with excitement.
"A lady just donated ten million online for the Love Breakfast! That’s even more than Miss Fiona’s auction bid! Who is this generous lady—could she be one of tonight’s Love Goddess candidates? Let’s unveil her name..."
The host clicked the donor ID, only to rub her nose with a slight regret.
"Uh... sorry, looks like she chose to remain anonymous. Since the donor keeps her identity hidden, she must be a low-profile, gracious, and cultured lady. Let’s give her a round of applause!"
...
After the introduction, the host smiled and kicked off Cupid’s Night voting.
"Alright, gentlemen present—go ahead and back your favorite goddess! If you like her, light up a heart; every heart starts at one million!"
"Last year’s Love God was Miss Shannon Morgan—with a male tycoon fundraising fifty million for her. Maybe we’ll top that this year. Stay tuned!"
And as soon as she finished, the crowd burst into cheers.
The earlier auction was child’s play—the real action was vying for the Love God Crown!
After all, every year’s Love Goddess generates endless talk and attention—enough to last for years. And whoever nominates her gets paired for the ride!
Like last year’s wealthy backer for Shannon Morgan—after hyped coverage across the media, his company stock soared, and he got Shannon to endorse his business for just one dollar. Who needed ad fees? The press reported every new product launch—win-win for both.
Whether you wanted to boost your own clout, hype up a national CP, or win the goddess’s heart, seizing the Cupid throne is the fastest shortcut!
...
The eager crowd, primed from the start, sprang to action as soon as the host finished.
"I’ll fundraise two million for #21, Miss Sinclair!"
"Five million for #25, Miss Grant!"
"Ten million—my vote for #31, Sheryl Monroe!"
"Twenty million—#9, Fiona Vaughn!"
...
As the bidding grew fierce, Tyson Law finally jumped into the fray.
Male voices rose one after another, nearly every woman present had someone backing her—except Cecilia, sitting alone in the corner as if forgotten.
Fiona raised her wine glass, looking down at Cecilia with mock sympathy.
"Sis, no one’s lighting you up? Want me to have Tyson bid for you?"