Chapter 75
At the auction house, the atmosphere was electric. The auctioneer, dressed in a stunning midnight blue. evening gown, carried herself with such grace and poise, exuding the elegance of a sophisticated woman.
Joshua and Shawn were indifferent to the initial lots, but everything changed when a breathtaking pink diamond necklace was unveiled.
The auctioneer gave a brief but enticing introduction and set the opening bid at four million. Shawn immediately jumped in, raising his paddle. As the bidding intensified, the price soared to six million, and the room started to thin out with only a few bidders left.
Shawn wasn’t backing down. He raised the stakes to six million two hundred thousand. The auctioneer gestured grandly, “We have six million two hundred thousand. Can we get six million five hundred thousand?”
Joshua, unfazed, raised his paddle. The auctioneer nodded, “We now have six million five hundred thousand. Any takers for more?”
Shawn shot an icy look at Joshua and, with determination etched on his face, raised his paddle. The auctioneer called out, “Six million five hundred thousand, back to paddle number 20. How about six million eight hundred thousand?”
Joshua raised his paddle again. The auctioneer pointed towards him, “Six million eight hundred thousand. Anyone for more?”
Shawn was in it to win it; he gritted his teeth and upped the bid to seven million. Seven million was something he could handle, especially if it meant pleasing Zack’s cousin and potentially securing a lucrative deal for the Reynolds Group.
As the saying goes, you’ve got to spend money to make money. There was no way Shawn was letting this necklace slip through his fingers today.
The auctioneer proclaimed, “Seven million, back to paddle number 20. Any higher bids?”
Joshua was about to raise his paddle when Allison gently stopped him, “Let it go. It’s not worth it.”
The price had already doubled from the starting four million. Allison assessed the necklace, figuring it was worth two million at most, and it wasn’t even to her taste. Why get into a bidding war with Shawn over something she didn’t care for?
If Shawn wanted it that bad, let him have it. Besides, Allison had her eye on a blue diamond necklace coming
up next.
Joshua glanced at Allison and decided to hold back. In the end, Shawn snagged the pink diamond necklace for eight million.
Kate, sitting beside him, shot a smug smile in Allison’s direction. It seemed her new guy wasn’t willing to go above eight million for her.
In the ladies‘ room, Allison was freshening up her makeup when she noticed Kate’s reflection in the mirror.
Kate looked annoyingly self–satisfied. She came over and turned on the faucet. “Wow, gone a few days and you’ve already found a new man?”
Allison didn’t give her the satisfaction of a response, casually applying her lipstick.
Kate chuckled, “I just mentioned how beautiful the necklace was, and Shawn shelled out eight million for it. Your guy isn’t quite up to scratch, is he? He did not even want to spend that much on you?
“Well, not all rich guys are clueless. They know when it’s worth it, and you…” Kate threw a glance at Allison in the mirror, her lips curling into a sneer, “just aren’t.”
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Chapter 75
Allison finished her lipstick, gazed steadily at her reflection, and replied, “Is that so? Well, best of luck to you.”
With that, she turned and walked out, unfazed. Kate’s words bounced off her like water off a duck’s back. Her life was far better than Kate could imagine.
At that moment, Kate was like a yapping puppy–loud but harmless. Arguing with Kate was a waste of time.
The day of the gala arrived in no time at all. At the Hartley family’s sprawling private estate, luxury cars lined the driveway, each more extravagant than the last.
The guests were a mix of wealth and influence, including some like Shawn hoping to make connections, and others who were industry giants. Zack had personally invited these bigwigs, planning to introduce them to Allison.
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