The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 203
He was Micah Locke, Callahan’s nemesis and the scion of the Locke Group.
Leilani didn’t know who he was, but she distinctly felt the air pressure drop around the man beside her.
“Four and a half million.” She didn’t bat an eye as she raised her paddle again.
Micah chuckled lightly and leisurely upped the bid. “Five million.”
The atmosphere in the hall turned subtle. Everyone present knew the Lockes and the Langleys didn’t get along. The female voice bidding was clearly coming from Callahan’s box, so this was obviously Micah picking a fight.
Callahan shot a cold glance across the room, but Micah just raised his wine glass in a toast, his eyes teasing. “Mr. Langley, it’s rare to see you with a companion. Aren’t you going to introduce her?”
Without waiting for Callahan, Leilani introduced herself directly. “I’m Leilani Sloan.”
A flash of interest appeared in Micah’s eyes. “Ms. Sloan, you’re interested in medicinal herbs too?”
“I know a little.” Her tone was flat, but her hand raised the paddle again. “Six million.”
“Interesting.” Micah narrowed his eyes, then smiled. He didn’t bid again. Instead, he gave Callahan a meaningful look. “Good taste, Mr. Langley.”
Callahan’s eyes were cold and dark. He tapped his finger on the armrest, his voice steady. “Are you short on work these days, Mr. Locke?”
Micah shrugged. “Can’t compare to you, Mr. Langley. You deal with a thousand things a day.”
He swirled his wine, then suddenly winked at Leilani. “Ms. Sloan, perhaps we can grab coffee sometime? I’m quite interested in traditional medicine myself.”
Before Leilani could answer, Callahan cut in coldly. “She’s busy.”
Micah laughed loudly, not annoyed in the slightest. He seemed to enjoy observing the interaction between the two.
In the end, the Reishi sold for six million, landing in Leilani’s hands.
After the auction, Leilani went backstage to handle the paperwork. Just as she finished signing, Micah’s voice came from behind her.
The corridor lighting was dim. As she turned the corner, a tall figure was leaning lazily against the wall, blocking her path.
“Ms. Sloan.” Micah wore a smile, holding an unlit cigarette between his fingers, his expression playful. “What a coincidence.”
Leilani didn’t stop walking, nor did she give him a second look. “Mr. Locke, the men’s room is the other way.”
Micah chuckled low. Instead of moving aside, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “A cold man like Callahan… what’s the fun in that?”
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His gaze wandered over her face, his tone suggestive. “Why not try me instead?”
Leilani finally looked up at him. She smiled faintly, but her eyes remained cold. “Mr. Locke, that pickup line went out of style ten years ago.”
Micah wasn’t deterred by her coldness; if anything, he seemed more intrigued. He leaned against the doorframe, his tone amused. “Ms. Sloan, Callahan isn’t exactly easy to get along with. Don’t you get bored following him around?”
Leilani closed the file in her hand and turned to face him, her lips curling upward. “Do you always care this much about other people’s dates, Mr. Locke?”
Micah chuckled, his eyes charming yet dangerous. “I’m just curious… What makes the woman Callahan broke his rules for so special?”
Micah suddenly took a step closer, invading her personal space.
Before Leilani could respond, a hand with well-defined knuckles gripped her wrist and pulled her back. Callahan was standing behind her, his eyes icy. “Micah, that’s enough.”
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