Chapter 302
Sharon didn’t bid.
Nate froze, suddenly unsure what to do.
He leaned toward Carter, lowering his voice. “Carter, since Sharon isn’t bidding… should I call a price? You know, just to rattle her a little?”
Carter’s tone was cool, almost indifferent. “Childish.”
“I just want to teach her a lesson! Come on, Carter, give me something. Help me figure this out.”
Nate was impulsive, sure, but when it came to a mental game like this, he wasn’t Sharon’s match.
Normally, Carter wouldn’t waste his energy entertaining something this petty. But for some reason, his mind drifted back to that earlier moment-Sharon, radiant and confident, her presence so distinct it felt like she’d become someone entirely new.
His gaze darkened slightly.
Since leaving him… she didn’t seem to be doing poorly at all.
In fact, showing up here on Xavier’s arm, bold and unapologetically radiant, she almost seemed… happy.
But.
A thin, cold smile tugged at the corner of Carter’s mouth.
If she were really doing so well, she wouldn’t need to parade herself in front of him like this-wouldn’t need to force herself back into his line of sight.
“If you really want to figure it out… bid. Just once. Nothing outrageous. Then watch-if she raises right after you, then you’ll know if she’s targeting you.”
Nate’s eyes lit up.
Of course. Why hadn’t he thought of that?
Following Carter’s advice, he called out a bid-not too high, safe enough that if no one followed, he wouldn’t be stuck with it.
Sure enough, as soon as the words left his mouth…
Sharon’s paddle went right up.
Nate’s lips curved, eyes narrowing with mischief.
So. She really was targeting him.
‘Fine. Let’s play,’ he mused.
This time, he got smarter, Gone were the reckless jumps of millions-he raised the price steadily, no more than three hundred
thousand each time.
Eventually, when the bidding reached double the item’s actual value, Nate smoothly pulled out.
Sharon secured the porcelain vase for six million.
Nate sat back, practically humming with satisfaction.
He couldn’t wait to see her face when it hit her-when regret sank in, when the weight of her own stupidity caught up with her.
1/2
Chapter 302
Except…
That moment didn’t come.
Sharon didn’t look regretful. Not even close.
Calmly, she accepted the vase from the auction staff and swiped her card without a flicker of hesitation. Wendy gingerly held the vase, wide-eyed. “This thing… really worth six million? That’s insane.”
Sharon’s voice was serene. “For this auction? Honestly, not that expensive.”
Xavier studied the vase, then nodded. “Slightly overpriced, sure. But the shape is elegant. The patterns are clean, old-world. It’ll appreciate. Not a bad investment.”
Wendy leaned in, lowering her voice. “Xavier, you don’t have to sugarcoat it. Sharon wasn’t even planning to bid. If it weren’t for Nate-Kelly’s ultimate simp-she wouldn’t have bothered.”
Xavier chuckled. “It’s fine. Whatever Sharon wants to bid on tonight… I’ve got her covered.”
The three of them laughed, unbothered, relaxed-no trace of regret anywhere.
Nate’s face flushed an ugly shade of green. “Disgusting. Letting a man pay for her like that. Shameless.”
Kelly’s tone was breezy, but her eyes flickered. “Well… for Xavier, six million really isn’t a big deal.”
Nate’s expression darkened. “Six million isn’t much, huh? What about ten million? You telling me that wouldn’t matter either?”
Kelly blinked, realization dawning. “Wait… Nate, you’re not seriously thinking-”
Nate scoffed. “I refuse to believe Xavier could just buy every item in this auction for her. No way.”
Sure, he still had some money left, but even Nate wasn’t dumb enough to throw ten million at a single item without thinking.
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