CHAPTER 67
ARIA’S POV
My retort is sharp, my tone defiant as I refuse to yield to their intimidation.
“I’m here for the bidding, what else do you want me to say?
But instead of a serious response, their reaction catches me off guard. Elodie and Eva erupt into laughter, their mocking tones reverberating through the room like a discordant melody.
Their laughter grates on my nerves, but I refuse to let them see my vulnerability. Instead, I join in, my laughter mirroring theirs. Their expressions shift from amusement to confusion, as if they expected me to crumble under their mockery.
“How can a poor person as you buy anything from here?”
Elodie continues mocking me, while Eva does not waste any time to chime in.
“Are you sure you got the right address?”
“Better you go home, instead of embarrassing yourself.”
Elodie is really getting on my nerves. She’s neither my mother nor my mother–in–law, so she has no right to boss me around like this.
Now that I am interacting with them, I ask them the most important question that has been bothering me ever since I saw Grandpa’s antique piece.
“Does Grandpa know that you’re here with his late wife’s necklace at the auction?”
All of a sudden, both Elodie and Eva’s faces turn beet red. Their eyes widen in shock, mouths hanging open as if they’ve seen a ghost or been confronted with the most inconvenient questions of their lives.
The smug confidence they exuded just moments ago melts away, replaced by a mixture of disbelief and panic. Their composure shatters as they realize their mockery has backfired, leaving them exposed and vulnerable in front of me.
Although I act surprised, I maintain my composure, refusing to let the confidence I’ve mustered shatter. I stand tall, my expression unwavering, meeting their shocked gazes head–on. Inside, my emotions are a whirlwind, but outwardly, I remain poised, determined not to let them see any cracks in my armor.
Their silence confirms my suspicions instantly. The necklace must have been stolen, and now they’ve brought it here to auction. Poor Grandpa! The thought of his cherished possession being used for their selfish gain fills me with a mix of anger and sadness.
“You’re not part of our family any more. So, quit interfering in our matter!”
Elodie ultimately confesses, her voice barely a whisper, before grabbing Eva’s hand and dragging her to the other side of the room. I watch their dramatic exit, determination hardening my resolve.
I need to get to the bottom of this. Grandpa’s cherished necklace deserves better than to be a pawn in their schemes.
The bidding starts and Grandpa’s antique piece is on display. As soon as the host makes the announcement people start naming their prices. I see Eva and Elodie also showing off with the numbers.
I smirk. Now is the time to teach mother and daughter a great lesson.
7/2
CHAPTER 67
+25 BONUS
“Seventy million dollars.”
As they hear me, they turn their gaze and scoff. Yeah, I get. They must be thinking I am just fooling around with them and I don’t have the money to purchase the necklace,
“One hundred million dollars!”
Go ahead, Elodie, let’s see where your arrogance takes you Don’t worry, I’ve set a perfect trap just for you.
“One hundred and fifty million dollars.”
Eva’s laughter continues to pierce through me.
“Two hundred million dollars.”
We keep going on until I reach one billion dollars. That is the time when Elodie start panicking. I know not even Elodie can afford one billion dollars.
“Do you think you have the money to bid for a necklace at one billion dollars?”
“Mom, she’s delusional. She thinks she’s a billionaire.”
Right now, I need Grandpa’s antique piece to keep it safe with me and not to let mother and daughter use it for their selfish motives.
“So, do we have another bidder?”
I look around, ignoring the two and it is only silence that prevails. “Aren’t you broke or something?”
Eva thinks I am broke. Therefore, I remove my black VIP card from my purse, hand it over to the host to swipe. The place is filled with gasps. People are whispering to each other asking if I was crazy to pay one billion dollars for a necklace that is worth only about a hundred million dollars. I am not here to show off, but to save Grandpa’s antique jewellery that is so dear to him.
“I doubt the payment will get through.”
Eva is immediately taken aback when the host swipes and the payment goes through.
“Who’s she?! How can she spend so much money on antiques?”
