Cupping his face in her hands, Lilah added, “Listen closely. For now, you are the only man I wish to grow old with.”

Her words thawed Gerard's seemingly frosty demeanor. A warm smile curled his alluring lips and it reached his eyes as well. Suddenly, his countenance turned solemn. "I'll make sure it's not just for now.

I'll make you think the same for the rest of your life.”

Gerard vowed that he would make Lilah hold a single lifelong desire—to share her life with him.

"Alright," Lilah nodded with a smile.

Earlier, she had used Jerrold as an excuse to fool Laura. In fact, the boy had already gone to bed at this hour.

Lilah, too, returned home, eager for some rest.

Amidst widespread anticipation, the much-awaited bidding competition began.

Real estate moguls from the city and beyond gathered, all vying for the coveted land at stake.

As Lilah took her place, the attendees settled around her. The moment her gaze intersected with the person next to her, a clear disdain was evident.

"I can't believe my bad luck, having to sit beside you!" Marlene couldn't hide her scorn.

Recently returning to the country and new to the company, she was attending her first bidding event alongside Lance.

Lance, sitting on the other side, cast a brief, indifferent glance at Lilah before looking away, dismissing her presence as insignificant.

In his eyes, Lilah posed no threat whatsoever.

He turned his attention to explaining to his sister the strengths and weaknesses of their competitors in the real estate industry.

"Welcome, everyone, to this land bidding event, despite your busy schedules," announced the auctioneer, bringing a surge of energy to the room. "Let's start with plot number one!"

The auctioneer's presence electrified the atmosphere, with all eyes fixed on the stage. The initial bids for the first few plots set a tense and competitive tone. When the Harris Group made their bid, they established a formidable precedent. Their precise and commanding offer elicited both admiration and apprehension from the crowd, living up to their esteemed reputation.

Throughout the auction, several other prominent families showcased their prowess, further heightening the event's intensity.

The auction's intensity escalated as it reached its midpoint, with the most sought-after parcels of land making their appearance.

“Now, we present plot number three! The starting bid is one hundred million!" The announcer's voice boomed. The initial price set off a ripple of surprise, but the room quickly buzzed with bidding, the figures soaring to twice the starting amount.

Gladys, accustomed to such high-stakes events, couldn't help but express relief to Lilah. “I'm glad we're not after this plot.

Competing for it could lead to bankruptcy."

Lilah nodded, sharing the sentiment.

Meanwhile, Marlene, seated next to Lilah, aggressively raised her bid to 250 million.