Chapter 1348:
He hadn’t been able to three years ago, and nothing had changed since.
Still, something in Lance’s tone sparked a faint glimmer of hope. If Stella never recovered her memories, and if William’s power could be weakened, then maybe—just maybe—they could have a real future together.
Marc’s newly founded company was only beginning to find its footing, and without Stella’s presence, it simply couldn’t stand on its own. He needed her—in more ways than one.
After wrestling with his decision for a long moment, Marc finally met Lance’s gaze and nodded. “Alright, I’ll do as you say. I’ll get Stella out of William’s hands.”
Seeing Marc show a sliver of determination at last, Lance let out a quiet breath, relief softening his features.
Meanwhile, the auction carried on.
William glanced at Stella beside him and said, “Bid on item number seventeen for me.”
Stella blinked, caught off guard. “You don’t have your own paddle?”
She hadn’t forgotten she was sitting in someone else’s seat, and she wasn’t sure how her bidding might affect anything.
What if the bill ended up in Whittaker’s name?
As if reading her hesitation, William lowered his voice. “It’s simple. You bid, I pay. You won’t owe a thing.”
A faint challenge shimmered in his gaze as he added, “Why? After all those years with Marc, he still can’t toss a few million your way?”
Stella pressed her lips together, refusing to rise to the bait. She wanted to tell him Marc was still building his business, that he couldn’t possibly compare to William’s wealth.
But the words stalled. Explaining herself felt pointless—maybe even dangerous if it set him off again.
Item seventeen was a breathtaking emerald necklace, starting at eight hundred thousand dollars.
Latest stories on FindNovel․com
Stella lifted her paddle and asked, “What’s your ideal price?”
If too many bidders jumped in and the price climbed too high, she needed to know when he planned to back out.
William didn’t take his eyes off the necklace. “Whatever it takes, I’ll pay.”
Her brows lifted in surprise. She studied the necklace again, realizing it must mean something to him. He wouldn’t spend that kind of money otherwise.
As the auction continued, Stella raised her paddle again and again. It wasn’t her money, and since he’d told her to go as high as necessary, she didn’t see any reason to hold back.
The price shot up quickly—from eight hundred thousand to three million.
With only a few bidders left, William seemed eager to wrap up the round. He leaned slightly toward Stella and instructed, “Bid eight million directly.”
Eight million?
Stella’s heart nearly lurched out of her chest. The current price sat at just three million. Jumping straight to eight felt downright reckless.
She wasn’t well-versed in auctions or how jewelry prices tended to rise. But since William had given the order, she lifted her paddle without hesitation and called out, “Eight million!”
.
.
.