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Justin’s gaze flicked toward Bella’s wrist, his attention caught by the jade bracelet she was still wearing.
It didn’t match her outfit, yet she had kept it on, almost as though she treasured it.
The thought lingered in his mind for a moment, but he quickly pushed it aside.
He couldn’t understand why Bella would continue to wear such a personal gift, especially after everything that had happened.
But his thoughts were interrupted as the 18th-century porcelain teacups brought the room back into focus.
The bidding was growing heated, and soon the auctioneer was struggling to keep up.
“$10 million!”
“$25 million!”
“$27 million!”
“$40 million.
“
Justin’s paddle shot up into the air, and the entire room went silent.
The numbers had escalated quickly, and Justin’s offer was the highest by far.
Everyone turned to look at him in disbelief, while Bella’s eyes widened in surprise.
This jerk may not know much about women, but he sure has a taste for antiques, she thought, feeling a mix of amusement and irritation.
Justin, sensing her gaze, turned to face her.
As their eyes met, something shifted in the air between them.
His gaze faltered for just a moment, taken aback by the sharp indifference in her eyes.
It felt like a cold splash of water, one that left his chest tight and uneasy.
Bella, however, didn’t linger on the moment.
She quickly averted her gaze and returned her attention to the auction.
The auctioneer, after a stunned pause, finally declared Justin the winner of the teacups.
As the room buzzed with admiration and envy, Ryan leaned in, grinning.
“From now on, you’ll have to serve me with this cup when I come over for tea! Only a $40 million teacup set is worthy of my status!” he joked, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Justin responded nonchalantly, “This cup is too small for you.
I have a larger cup, which is more suitable for your status.
“
Ryan’s grin faltered.
“Oooh, what is it?”
“The toilet bowl.
“
Ryan scowled, and the room erupted into laughter.
Bella couldn’t help but chuckle as well, finding Ryan’s reaction amusing.
Meanwhile, Rosalind’s face fell as she watched Justin’s reckless spending.
$40 million on teacups? She couldn’t understand why he would waste so much on something so trivial when there were far more practical things to buy, like a villa.
The thought unsettled her, and she began to doubt Justin’s financial sense.
As the atmosphere shifted, the next auction item was revealed: a top-quality rosewood chair from the 17th century, which had been in the personal collection of an anonymous gentleman for the past 50 years.
The staff carefully lifted the chair from its protective glass case, and the auctioneer’s voice grew more animated.
“Bro, it’s here!” Ryan whispered to Justin, excitement building.
In that moment, Justin and Bella both seemed to sit up straighter at the same time.
Their posture changed, and their eyes locked onto the rosewood chair as if it were the most valuable item in the room.
“The base price is $30 million! Start bidding now!”
The atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Wealthy businessmen and bankers held up their paddles, and the bidding began with fierce competition.
The price quickly climbed, setting the tone for what would be the most intense bidding war of the night.
Meanwhile, Shannon and Bethany looked uneasy.
The high starting price of $30 million had intimidated them, and they shrank back from the action.
Jean and Rosalind, typically more vocal, were silent in the background, as though too out of their depth to participate.
Then, suddenly, a hand shot up into the air.
It was Bella’s, poised and graceful, the paddle held high as she called out calmly, “$60 million.
”
The room fell into stunned silence as every eye turned toward Bella.
Her offer had more than doubled the price, and it sent shockwaves through the audience.
It was clear that this auction had just become a lot more interesting.
