Chapter 5
Daphne burst into laughter, looking at Hannah like she was the biggest fool. “Why would I be mad? Since you’re always eyeing my husband, I won’t stop you. After all, men are like clothes, aren’t they?”
The crowd erupted with even more excitement. They stared at Hannah, their faces a mix of shock and morbid curiosity—who in their right mind would go after their brother–in–law? She must be that desperate to pull something like this.
Hannah froze, nearly losing her forced smile, her expression as if she’d been struck hard. “Daphne, how can you even think of me like that?”
As she
e tried to de
to defend herself, Chester spoke up. The auction is about to start. Everyone, please take your seats
His voice was indifferent but carried a weight that made it hard for anyone to disobey.
The noisy hall fell silent, leaving Hannah awkwardly standing next to Yancey, enduring the ambiguous gazes from those around them.
She lowered her head, hiding the frustration swelling in her chest. How did things end up like this? Isn’t Daphne supposed to be a pitiful, abandoned woman after leaving Yancey!
“Why is she still thriving, surrounded by impressive men, as if she wasn’t the one who got left behind? Why does she deserve such good fortune‘
The theme of the auction was charity, with organizers providing items for bidding, and all proceeds going to impoverished regions and other charities in need.
As the main organizer, Chester stepped onto the stage to deliver a speech before the event kicked off. True to form, he briefly introduced the auction and its rules.
Afterward, he ignored the greetings and small talk from others, making a beeline for Daphne, his face lit up with a doting smile.
This was no small thing: in previous years, Chester had never brought a woman along, let alone smiled at any of them.
Everyone around was shocked. “What kind of charm does this woman possess to win over a top–tier bachelor like Chester, especially when she’s already married?
The young ladies at the neighboring tables, eager to marry into wealth, were just as curious as to how Daphne managed it
After a warm–up performance, the auction officially began, starting with smaller items.
“If there’s anything you want, just let me know,” Chester said suddenly
Daphne turned her head, intrigued, “Are you going to pay for me?
“Can’t I just have someone retrieve the item?” Chester responded with a calmagile. It was originally the Sheppard family’s belongings–why spend money on them?
Daphne passed, realizing something felt off, yet it oddly made sense.
Cheater sat with one leg crossed, exuding the confidence of a business magnate. “Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you.”
“Thanks, you’re the best, Daphne said, unable to hold back a laugh. But she had to admit, his move was pretty impressive.
Meanwhile, as the starting prices of the items climbed, the auction room buzzed with excitement, drawing more and more people into a fervent bidding frenzy.
“A Scenic Painting of Mountains and Rivers by Eugene Lambert,” the auctioneer announced, his voice echoing through the hall. The starting price is 500 thousand dollars, with no upper limit. Let the bidding begint”
the auctioneer finished, a paddle shot up from the crowd. “600 thousandr 700 thousand!”
The bids kept climbing, quickly reaching a staggering 4 million dollars. Even though it was a painting by the legendary Eugene, that price was nough to scare of mirast of the bidders.
“Cunillion, going once the auctioneer called, posed to deliver the second gavel 4 million, going twicel Any other offent
With the gavel raised for the final strike, a hand shot up from the main seating area, where there had been no active bidders,
Instinctively, everyone tumed over, only to discover it was Daphne sitting next to Chester.
*4 1 million! Any higher offers!” ü
the auctioneer shouted
Yancey’s cool voice sliced through the tension from the corner. 4.5 million”
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1051 AM
Chapter 5
His gaze turned icy as it collided with Daphne’s across the crowd. As she just glanced his way before casually turning back to the auction, the chill around him deepened.
Hannah was practically bubbling with excitement. Thank you, Yancey. I really love this painting” she exclaimed.
But before she could finish her sentence, Daphne held up her bidder card once more.
*4.6 million dollars, once!” the auctioneer called out.
Yancey raised his card, voice steady. “5 million dollars”
Daphne raised hers again, her expression unfazed.
*5.1 million dollars!” The auctioneer, sensing the growing rivalry, looked thrilled.
Without missing a beat. Yancey declared, “6 million dollars”
Daphne responded with a nonchalant raise of her card.
“6.1 million dollars!” the auctioneer raised his voice.
By now, it was crystal clear to everyone that these two were locked in a standoff. The audience was practically buzzing with curiosity. No one wanted to jump in–they just wanted to sit back and enjoy the drama unfolding.
The bids escalated furiously, and it soon reached an astonishing 9.1 million dollars. Gasps rippled through the crowd
The painting was originally valued at just around 3 million, and the current bid had already tripled its worth. If this wasn’t a rivalry, they’d have to say the two had more money than sense.
Daphne listened to the whispers, a sly smile nigging at her lips. “Well, there’s definitely some bad blood here. Doesn’t Hannah want to claim what I desire? She could try, and I’d love to see just how far Yancey is willing to go for her.
Yancey was trying to maintain his calm exterior, but inside, he was anything but composed. He cared little for the painting itself, but every glimpse of Daphne talking and laughing with Chester ignited a fire in him. The thought of losing only fanned those flames.
Hannah hadn’t anticipated things taking this turn and was beginning to feel anxious. She leaned closer to Yancey and whispered, “Maybe we should let it go. It’s not like I love the painting that much.”
Her intentions had been simple; to outshine Daphne in every regard. But at this point, even the most oblivious could see Daphne was toying with them. The more they pursued the painting, the more they risked a double defeat.
Yancey pressed his lips together, his deep eyes clouded with indecipherable emotions. After a brief pause, he raised his bidding paddle. “10 million dollars.
“Going once at 10 million 10 million! We’ve hit eight figures now! Anyone want in bid higher the auctioneer shouted with palpable excitement. From below the stage, Chester turned to Daphne, raising an eyebrow. “Should we keep going”
“Of course.” Daphne raised her paddle, a seemingly innocent smile brightening her face. She was not going to pass up such a delicious opportunity to formieni Yancey,
“Going once at 10.1 million dollars! The auctioneer’s voice cracked with exuberance, drawing everyone’s attention back to Yancey
The room held its breath–would Yancey outbid or not to outbid?
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