I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 40

The tall, thin guard, emboldened by Isabella's command, once again tried to force Natalie to leave. "What do you think you're doing?!" Ava Thompson rushed over, having seen the guards grabbing Natalie's arm the moment she stepped out of the elevator.

The guards recognized Ava as the Vice President's assistant and immediately thought they had done something heroic.

"Ava, you're just in time! This paparazzi was impersonating the VP to sneak into the auction, but we stopped her!" the thin guard boasted.

Ava shot them a furious glare. "What paparazzi? She is the Vice President!" she snapped, then turned to Natalie, apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry, Nora. I'm late."

The two guards froze, staring at each other in horror and disbelief. "She's... really the Vice President?" the thin one stammered.

But she was dressed so plainly... Natalie calmly smoothed out her clothes and stepped forward. "Regardless of my position, your behavior today has exceeded your duties as security and has damaged Billy Firth's reputation."

She then turned to Ava. "Pay them an extra month's salary and dismiss them."

Taking her ID from Ava, she walked into the auction hall.

With less than forty minutes until the auction began, Natalie was escorted to a dressing room to begin her preparations.

"Ava," she asked while a makeup artist worked on her, "is the CEO of the Ramirez Group on the guest list for today?"

Ava, who was steaming Natalie's cheongsam, thought for a moment. "He wasn't originally, but we received a late notice two days ago that Mr. Ramirez would be attending."

The auction hall's second floor had a private section reserved for important guests.

Bruce Ward looked at Camila. "Camila, why didn't you come with Alexander?"

Camila had been lost in thought ever since seeing Natalie and took a moment to register Bruce's question.

Before she could answer, Alexander arrived, accompanied by Eric Bailey. "I was starting to think you weren't coming," Bruce said, giving up the center seat for Alexander and nodding a greeting to Eric.

Alexander sat down, looking tired.

"He's here on his mother's orders to buy a gift for his grandmother. Of course he'd come," Eric explained, glancing at the woman beside them who hadn't taken her eyes off Alexander since he'd arrived.

"You must be... Ms. White?"

Camila looked at him, surprised. "You know me?"

Eric nodded. "I've heard Alexander mention you, and I saw that photo of you two on the ski trip. I recognized you from that."

Camila's worried heart soared.

Alexander had actually talked about her to other people. It meant she was on his mind. With that thought, her confidence surged.

"Have you forgotten how clingy he is?"

Wherever Alexander was, Samuel was sure to follow.

Bruce understood, and chuckled. "Clingy, indeed." "Takes one to know one,"

Samuel replied, his gaze fixed on Alexander, not the least bit offended.

The air between them crackled with tension.

At that moment, a host walked onto the auction stage below.

After a brief opening speech and an explanation of the rules, he began to preview the auction's highlights, which were displayed on a large screen beside him.

"This is the inaugural auction for Billy Firth's Asia-Pacific Headquarters. Please allow me to introduce our honored guests, Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Thompson!"

Backstage, Natalie, who was just about to go on, was looking over the list of auction items in her hand.

For some reason, it suddenly slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor.