Chapter 254

The first item up for the auction was a necklace encrusted with diamonds. As the hostess brought it on the stage, nearly every woman in the room had their eyes light up except for Melody. She wasn’t fond of overly extravagant things. The auctioneer passionately described the item.

Regina quietly asked Mabel in the back row, Mabel, do you not like your sister?

Mabel always considered Regina a nouveau richer without any background, so she didn’t hold back and said directly, Yes! Ever since that jinx came back, our family hasn’t had a peaceful day. None of us like her, but she acts arrogant, not respecting anyone. It’s infuriating.

Regina smirked and said, I see… In that case, I’ll help you take down a notch today! Whatever she bids on, just outbid her, and I’ll cover the cost. She had come today to buy herbs for her mother, who had given her a generous budget- more than enough to outbid Melody.

She thought, After all, how much money could a girl who just returned from the rural possibly have? Even if Ken’s assistant is willing to pay for her, a mere assistant’s savings probably aren’t substantial. She wanted to make Melody fret over this matter, keeping her too preoccupied to pay attention to any news. Regina’s plan was coming together perfectly.

Mabel, who was beside her, was also pleased. She thought, typical nouveau riche- dumb and loaded! She liked people like Regina.

On stage, the auctioneer finished describing the item and announced the starting bid of 2 million dollars. Mabel loved the necklace, believing she was the only one in the room worthy of wearing it. However, she had squandered her money on the black market and felt a bit embarrassed to ask Regina for help directly. She saw Melody raise her paddle just then. 2.2 million dollars.

Mabel immediately found a good excuse and gave Regina a signal. Seeing Regina nod, she quickly raised her paddle and said. 2.4 million dollars.

In the VIP section, Melody heard the familiar voice and a slow smile formed on her lips. Her suspicions were confirmed; those two didn’t want her to get what she wanted. She rolled her eyes and raised her paddle again. 2.6 million dollars.

2.8 million dollars! Mabel swiftly continued bidding without hesitation.

Melody paused briefly and declared: 4 million dollars.

5 million dollars! Mabel continued bidding without hesitation, unconcerned since it wasn’t her money. She thought, 5 million dollars must be Melody’s limit, right?

However, Melody calmly declared the next moment, 6 million dollars.

Mabel gritted her teeth in frustration, thinking, how dare she! She doesn’t even assess whether she deserves this necklace! She raised her paddle again and shouted 7 million dollars.

Without hesitation, Melody raised her paddle and declared: 10 million dollars.

Mabel took a deep breath and spoke coldly. “11 million dollars”

The entire room’s attention shifted to Melody and Mabel. Sitting in the front row, Melody presented only a slender and graceful back, leaving everyone to focus on Mabel instead. Mabel relished the attention, feeling immensely pleased.

Sitting beside Melody, James couldn’t help but frown and quietly warn, Miss Fox, we didn’t come here for you to buy jewelry. Even if you like it, please prioritize correctly. Besides, bidding up to 10 million dollars isn’t a problem, but I don’t want to attract too much attention and affect what Mr. Swanson truly intends to buy.

James’s expression darkened further as Melody, seemingly oblivious to his warnings, raised her paddle: 16 million dollars, she declared.

Upon hearing “16 million dollars”, a collective gasp swept through the room; instinctively, all eyes turned to see Mabel’s reaction. It was clear that 16 million dollars was quite a hefty sum, far more than the necklace was likely worth. Despite knowing this, the pressure of the competition, especially from Melody, made her hesitate and glance towards Regina seated beside her.

Regina’s expression darkened as well. Her mother had given her 40 million dollars, with 20 million dollars explicitly designated for buying herbs, and it was highly likely that knowledgeable competitors would vie with her. In other words, if she continued to bid, she might not secure the desired herbs. Yet, she was unwilling to back down easily. After much consideration, Regina gritted her teeth and said firmly, continue bidding.

She could only afford to spend up to 4 million dollars the most. She refused to believe Melody had more money to add to the bid. But reality struck swiftly, within seconds, Melody continued with 18 million dollars.

Regina’s face instantly soured as if she had bitten into something foul. However, her pride was as strong as Mabel’s next to her, refusing to be outdone by what she considered a village girl. With gritted teeth, she declared, Keep adding up to 20 million dollars. She thought: I must surpass this village girl.

Upon hearing this, Mabel’s heart raced. She thought, 20 million dollars! I’ve never spent so much money at once! Her vanity was greatly satisfied, and she deliberately expressed the amount of money involved indifferently. With a composed demeanor, she raised her paddle and confidently called out: 20 million dollars.

With that statement, the room fell silent, the kind of silence where you could hear a pin drop, followed by murmurs of discussion that began to rise. Who is this wealthy young lady? She’s so willing to spend such a fortune.

Do you not recognize her? She’s Mabel Fox, last year’s Best Celebrity. Rumor has it she’s set to become the future Mrs. Swanson of the Swanson family.

Ah, the Swanson family… That explains it. She’s indeed rich. I have to get to know her after this and build a good relationship with her in advance. The whispers around her filtered into Mabel’s ears. She felt a sudden rush of pride as if she were already the mistress of the Swanson family.

James was visibly frantic, abandoning formalities and addressing Melody directly. Miss Fox, calm down! Since when did you become so obsessed with vanity? Despite her rural upbringing, he had always thought Meldy had a long-term perspective. Now it seemed he had misjudged her. You are not allowed to bid any further! Spending 20 million dollars is fine anywhere else, but not in this situation – I’m afraid I must disagree! James warned firmly.

Melody didn’t respond to James but instead glanced at the back row. Her eyes quickly scanned Regina and Mabel’s expressions before placing her paddle on her knee. She smiled faintly and said, Don’t worry, mission accomplished. I won’t bid any further.

James looked puzzled and asked, what do you mean?

Melody smiled without saying a word, watching as the auctioneer on stage enthusiastically hammered the gavel. 20 million dollars once, 20 million dollars twice, 20 million dollars thrice… SOLD!

As the auctioneer declared SOLD, Mabel, breathed a sigh of relief, her face brightened with a victorious smile. She thought- I knew it; Melody couldn’t compete with me at all! Whether it’s this necklace or the position of Mrs. Swanson in the Swanson family.

Meanwhile, Melody smiled, her expression deep and calm. Beside her, James watched Melody’s demeanor with a slowly furrowing brow. He thought: What is she up to exactly? I hope she doesn’t pull any more tricks!

Soon, the second item was brought up a vase that Ken wanted. The starting bid remained at 2 million dollars.

Melody immediately raised her paddle and declared 4 million dollars.

Mabel was eager to give it a try.