Chapter 44
The room went absolutely wild. Three consecutive bids, each one smooth and uthless. Especially that last one–instead of adding a measly 100K, she’d jumped straight to 1.5 million, screaming her determination to win.
“What the fuck? Doesn’t 823 know who she’s going up against? This is ballsy as hell.”
“How could she not know? That Elena chick is with Louie, and Cavendish Group is throwing this whole party. No way Louie’s clueless.”
“Exactly, so what’s their game here?”
“Beats me. Even though it’s Nathan’s date holding the paddle, 823 is basically bitch–slapping Nathan in public!”
“This tanzanite’s worth a million tops. Anything over 1.2 mil is stupid money. Jumping straight to 1.5–there’s gotta be some backstory here.”
“No idea. Think 888 will counter?”
“If Nathan was bidding himself, hell yes–guy’s stupid rich. But since it’s Vivian with the paddle, who the hell knows.”
“Won’t Nathan fook like a pussy?”
“Nah, you don’t get it–this is genius positioning. Keep bidding and he looks like a badass. Back down and he can play the ‘being generous to someone who needs it more‘ card.”
“That actually works?”
“Absolutely! Everyone here knows Nathan could outbid God himself. If he doesn’t, nobody questions his bank account–they think he’s being classy.”
“Still seems embarrassing though–can’t even lock down a million–dollar rock…
“Actually, smart play would be to win it, then gift it to the other bidder. Gets everything.”
“Damn, that’s smooth!”
The speculation was flying, but nobody had answers, so all eyes went to the second floor.
Upstairs, everyone looked chill in their seats, but the undercurrents were savage.
Amelia glanced at Louie worriedly. “Is this gonna blow back on you?”
Louie smirked. “You’re using your own paddle–what’s that got to do with me?
Amelia smiled, checking the table. Two bidding paddles sat there–one for Elena, one for Louie.
Both had been officially invited, so both got paddles.
Still, going nuclear against Nathan like this would have consequences.
“Relax,” Louie read her worry. “I can handle this small–time drama.”
He added: “Bid whatever the hell you want–I’ve got the money.”
Amelia looked at him gratefully. “Thanks.”
She wasn’t sweating the cash, just whether Nathan would jump in personally
So far, this looked like Vivian’s personal shopping spree.
Speaking of Vivian, she was stuck in a nightmare scenario.
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Chapter 44
Matching 1.5 million would hurt like hell, and who knew if the other bidder would keep climbing.
Not matching would humiliate both her and Nathan.
While she struggled, Nathan tapped the table.
“Match it,” he said flatly.
But Vivian didn’t move immediately. Instead, she gave him this wounded look Nathan, we really don’t need to. It’s way over actual value.”
“Plus…” she said all shy, “I don’t have that kind of money.”
Nathan glanced coolly at the tanzanite below. Something in him felt it should be his.
“Money’s not your problem,” Nathan said.
Translation: he was paying.
Vivian felt relief but kept up her act: “No way, Nathan. I said I’d cover this myself.”
Meanwhile, shadowy figures in hidden booths watched silently, waiting to see how this played out.
Suddenly, the mansion’s main doors slammed open, instantly hijacking everyone’s attention.
A wheelchair rolled slowly inside carrying an elderly man.
Despite being wheelchair–bound, the old man’s presence dominated the room.
He was smiling.
“Sorry I’m late,” the old man chuckled. “Sounds like things are getting spicy in here–I could hear the drama from the parking lot.”
Seeing him, Louie immediately bolted upstairs and rushed down.
Louie helped the old man stand: “Grandpa, what are you doing here?”
He’d figured Grandpa Cavendish was lurking in some VIP box, planning to sumanon him and Amelia later. Never expected the old bastard to roll up through the front like this.
“Wanted to see the show,” Grandpa Cavendish said, gripping his cane. The other two Cavendish grandsons appeared to help steady him.
Grandpa Cavendish waved them off, grinning as he scanned the room. His eyes lingered on Nathan and Vivian, then Amelia, then the auction piece.
Finally, he dropped a line most people couldn’t decode: “Being young is beautiful.”
Grandpa Cavendish’s entrance froze the auction. The auctioneer was about to continue when the old man casually tapped a nearby plate.
“It’s intermission time,” Grandpa Cavendish announced. “Everything else can wait for the second half.”
Just like that? The crowd felt like kids whose TV got turned off mid–show–the suspense was torture.
The bidding had hit peak drama, and now they had to sit through intermission
Grandpa Cavendish saw their frustration but said nothing. With his three grandsons flanking him, he headed for the elevator to the third floor.
As the elevator doors started closing, Grandpa Cavendish told Louie: “Bring her up. I want to meet her.”
Who “her” was didn’t need clarification.
Louie’s blood pressure spiked–this timing was a disaster!
The 823 vs 888 war was public as hell. Dragging Amelia upstairs now was asking for trouble!
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Chapter 44
If he’d played things smoother earlier, maybe there’d be hope, but now…
The eldest Cavendish grandson stayed stone faced next to their grandfather.
Sebastian was practically cackling at Louie: “Better hop to it, baby brother.”
Louie knew he was fucked either way, so he shot Sebastian a death glare and went to collect Amelia.
Amelia already knew what was coming, so while Louie was still figuring out his pitch, she nodded to show she got it.
Louie sighed like a man walking to his execution, knowing she’d have to handle this solo. He helped her up and walked her to a third floor room.
“Grandpa’s in there. Watch yourself–if shit goes sideways, just scream and I’ll come save you,” Louie warned.
Amelia laughed. “It can’t be as brutal as you’re making it sound.”
“It really fucking is!” Louie’s cold sweat proved he wasn’t exaggerating..
Amelia didn’t argue, just nodded: “Alright, going in.”
The other two Cavendish grandsons had already emerged and stood watching Louie pace like a caged animal outside the door.
Inside, Amelia calmly shut the door and walked steadily toward Grandpa Cavendish.
Then she stopped.
Her right hand moved to the custom half–mask. Without hesitation, she pulled it off.
Amelia’s face was now completely exposed to Grandpa Cavendish.
Not Elena.
Amelia.
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