I Accidentally Got Auctioned for a Date… My CEO Just Bid $5,000 to Keep Me
Chapter 4
David Shaw was charming.
That made him dangerous.
He was fifty-two.
Experienced.
Polished.
Respected.
He had served as a CEO at two major companies.
The board liked him.
Alexander didn’t.
But he couldn’t explain why.
Sophie could.
Something about David’s numbers didn’t make sense.
She had noticed unusual transfers between subsidiaries.
Small amounts.
Nothing obvious.
But together they created a pattern.
She mentioned it to Alexander.
He immediately told her:
“Don’t investigate alone.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Good.”
They brought in internal auditors.
The investigation uncovered millions in unexplained transfers.
David denied involvement.
But one of his assistants had approved several transactions.
The assistant confessed.
David had been diverting funds.
The fraud was exposed.
The board was furious.
David resigned before authorities could question him.
The incident strengthened Sophie’s reputation.
She had noticed what others missed.
Alexander was proud.
But Sophie was uncomfortable.
“I don’t want my career tied to you.”
“I know.”
“Then we need to keep proving I earned everything.”
“I agree.”
Their relationship remained private.
They traveled together.
Had dinners.
Visited Sophie’s grandmother.
Alexander was nervous meeting her.
Sophie laughed.
“Why?”
“She’s evaluating me.”
“She is.”
“What does she think?”
“That you’re too rich.”
He laughed.
“Fair.”
Her grandmother eventually liked him.
She gave him one piece of advice.
“Don’t make her smaller.”
Alexander nodded.
“I won’t.”
The relationship grew deeper.
Sophie moved into a new apartment.
Alexander never offered to buy it.
He understood her need for independence.
That mattered.
One evening, Sophie asked:
“Do you ever regret bidding five thousand dollars?”
He smiled.
“Never.”
“Even after all this?”
“Especially after all this.”
She laughed.
“What would you have done if someone else had won?”
He thought.
“Probably regretted it immediately.”
She smiled.
“Good answer.”
Then tragedy hit.
Sophie’s grandmother was hospitalized.
Sophie rushed to the hospital.
Alexander canceled a board meeting and joined her.
He didn’t take control.
He simply sat beside her.
Hours passed.
The doctor stabilized her grandmother.
Sophie cried.
Alexander held her.
“I’ve got you.”
She whispered:
“Thank you.”
It was then she understood.
He wasn’t attracted to the idea of her.
He cared about her life.
Her family.
Her fears.
That mattered more than the auction.
Months later, her grandmother recovered.
Alexander remained involved.
Their relationship became known among close friends.
Then another surprise arrived.
A major magazine asked Alexander for an interview about the charity auction.
He refused.
He didn’t want Sophie treated as entertainment.
The magazine offered more money.
Still refused.
Sophie learned about it later.
“You could have made millions.”
He smiled.
“Some things aren’t for sale.”
She stared.
Then kissed him.
Their love became stronger.
