Chapter 300
That crown–just at a glance, it was clear the bidding would start no lower than a million.
So someone joining the competition wasn’t exactly unexpected.
But when Nate heard that woman’s voice, he reacted like a rooster with ruffled feathers.
“Damn it! That woman–Sharon-she dares to bid against me?!”
He shot his hand up again. “500 thousand!”
And followed it with a vicious glare in Sharon’s direction.
Sharon acted as if she hadn’t noticed and calmly raised her paddle again.
“One million.”
In under a minute, the price had already doubled.
People in the room couldn’t help but turn toward Sharon, whispering among themselves.
Who was this woman with such boldness and money to match? Some wealthy heiress, no doubt.
Nate’s gaze turned darker, more savage. “1.5 million!”
Sharon’s voice flowed out like still water. “2 million.”
Nate, a rich boy through and through, had at least some sense.
He’d set a ceiling for the crown at 1.5 million. Beyond that, he wasn’t interested.
It wasn’t a matter of money-it just wasn’t worth it.
But something about Sharon’s presence lit a fire in his chest. The kind that made his blood boil.
Damn it. She used to be Carter’s wife-he’d hesitated out of courtesy back then. But now? She was just a discarded woman. And he still couldn’t win against her?
Nate clenched his teeth. “2.5 million!”
Carter leaned over slightly, reminding him, “Nate, that crown’s worth tops out around 1.3 million.”
A few million over was still acceptable. But nearly double? That was just throwing money away.
Kelly chimed in, her voice saccharine. “Nate, if Sharon wants it that much, maybe… let her have it?”
Normally, if the price was that inflated, she wouldn’t push Nate to keep bidding.
But not today.
Today, if Sharon wanted something-then Kelly had to have it first.
Nate’s competitive flame only grew stronger.
“The more she wants it, the more I won’t let her have it! I’ll show her-capital is a line she’ll never be able to cross!”
The bidding climbed until it hit 5 million. At that point, Sharon finally stopped.
Nate puffed up like a victorious rooster, lifting his chin and shooting her a smug look. (1)
Sharon’s face stayed calm, untouched by the whole exchange.
1/2
Chapter
An attendant brought the crown over on a velvet tray and presented it to Nate.
He personally placed it on Kelly’s head.
The third auction item was a bracelet.
Although Nate had recently recouped some funds and had money to spend, he’d just dropped 5 million on a crown. The sting
was real.
He’d originally planned to bid on a few things for himself.
So when the bracelet came up, he hesitated. Maybe sit this one out.
But the moment someone placed a bid-Sharon again-his ears perked up.
He turned to Kelly. “Didn’t Sharon break your bracelet last time? You said you couldn’t find a good replacement. This one looks perfect. Don’t worry, I’ll win it for you.”
Kelly put on a show of polite decline, but then stayed quiet.
A free gift was still a gift. And it wasn’t her money being spent.
Carter’s brow furrowed. “Nate, this bracelet’s worth maybe three million at most. Don’t go over.”
Before his words had even settled in the air, Sharon’s voice swept through the room like a ripple over still water.
“Five million.”
The hall went silent.
People stared, stunned.
From two million to five-just like that.
Who was this woman?
Could she be the daughter of some oil tycoon?
Nate froze for a moment, then raised his paddle again.
“Six million!”
Sharon’s voice remained calm and fluid. “Eight million.”
Nate’s hand, halfway raised, froze in place.
Eight million?
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