A Life Debt Repaid novel (John and Cordy)
Chapter 406

After a brief interaction with the crowd, Jessica returned to the topic at hand. "Let's not waste time-we shall now auction the ladies' first dance, starting with Noel."

Noel didn't say no, and smiled shyly as she moved to stand at the front end of the stage.

"Please introduce yourself?" Jessica said, passing Noel the mic.

Noel appeared charmingly shy even as she took it. "It's my honor to attend tonight's charity ball. It's my first time here too, so it's my good fortune to make everyone's acquaintance. I'm a little nervous now, since I'm not sure what I should say... Anyway, the purpose of this ball is for charity, and I wish everyone would bid for me and become the first donor of the night. Thank you, everyone." She was certainly smart.

Knowing that she didn't have the advantage with Cordy there with them, she emphasized on the charity part, even busting 'first' to appeal to the men. She was perfectly aware that those present were all amongst the best in their respective fields; being 'first' was something they could get sensitive about and innately obsessed over.

Sure enough, right after Noel spoke, someone made a bid. "Thirty grand!"

"Forty."

"Seventy."

"Ninety!"

"A hundred," a middle-aged man said, raising his auction paddle.

Noel was delighted, and turned towards him.

She was immediately disgusted with the look of his face, but maintained her charming smile regardless.

"A hundred grand! Anyone else?" Jessica asked, scanning the crowd.

However, no one was responding.

Since she had to keep the crowd interested, she had to continue.

"Calling once! Calling twice! Calling three times! Sold!" Jessica eventually announced. "Congratulations, Mr. Zimmer! You have the honor of Noel's first dance tonight, and becoming the first donor for our charity ball. Thank you for your support!"

The entire ballroom applauded, while Noel walked downstairs to Tim Zimmer.

It turned out he was a heavy smoker, too-she picked up the pungent scent of tobacco once she got near him.

Regardless, she had to restrain her displeasure; at least she wasn't humiliated since her first dance was bought for a hundred thousand dollars.

She thought the bid for her would last at least until five hundred grand, and there were many men bidding too.

The thought relieved her a little.

Now, she would see what Cordy could do this time!

At that thought, Noel looked up, glaring viciously at Cordy.

Jessica was already introducing Cordy and showering Cordy with praise, before passing her the mic.

Cordy took a deep breath, genuinely disinterested in this game.

"It's a charity ball, and all proceeds will be passed to charity organizations. It's an honor for me to contribute to that, but this is just the appetizer for the charity ball. The real surprise remains with the auctioned items, and what matters most is for everyone to do their part."

In other words, they shouldn't waste money on her.

Such was her speech before the bid for her first dance began.

It instantly left Noel seeming materialistic and small-minded in comparison-even if it was for charity, spending too much on a dance made no sense.

If one were to think further on that, Cordy was also subtly scoffing at Jessica.

Patrick couldn't help grinning below stage.

Cordy certainly never disappointed-Jessica was intent on embarrassing her, since being auctioned was nothing dignified at all. Moreover, even if Jessica used the guise of charity, she never asked permission of the ladies either.

Cordy's retaliation was certainly impeccable.

Jessica could tell that Cordy was mocking her as well, and felt ever so slightly humiliated.

However, she played it down so that no one noticed immediately; after all, she had the experience to do so.

Remaining affable and cheerful, she exclaimed, "Now, we shall be auctioning Cordy's first dance!"