Chapter 22 Raising the Bid
Eliana looked devastatingly beautiful tonight.
Her Raven hair cascaded like silk down her back, and her makeup was radiantly glamorous. Clad in exclusive haute couture unseen in any boutiques, she looked graceful and brilliant.
Her beauty made it impossible to look away from her. She was as attractive as a poppy in full bloom.
Eliana walked slowly toward Xavier.
Xavier looked at Eliana, his eyes darkening with complicated, inexpressible emotion.
From gentle and quiet to daring and glamorous…..
This woman had truly changed.
She was nothing like the woman in his memories.
“Mr. Hogan, it seems you won’t give up until you get your way.” Eliana went up to Xavier and gave a mocking smile.
“Where’s your boss?” Xavier demanded coldly.
Eliana sneered. “Can’t you see? I’m alone. Disappointed?”
First, he spammed her with dumb messages. When that failed, he targeted her brother.
If Xavier wanted to see Trystan, he had to get her permission!
As she read his mind and ridiculed him, Xavier pulled a long face.
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Chapter 22 Raising the Bid
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The auction host hurried over with a broad smile. “Ms. Harrell, this way please.”
Eliana ignored Xavier and sauntered inside.
Annoyed by Eliana’s grand arrival, Brianna whispered to Xavier, “See, Xavier? Told you she hooked up with a sugar daddy. How else would she afford this?”
Her words irritated Xavier, who said impatiently, “Shut up.”
Cowed by his anger, Brianna trailed behind silently.
Karina said softly, “Let’s go in, Xavier.”
Thirty minutes later, the auction began.
An elegant female auctioneer presented the lots.
“One emerald bracelet. Starting bid, 30,000 dollars.”
Under the lights, the bracelet glowed with translucent, silky warmth.
Thinking of Irene’s upcoming birthday, Eliana raised her hand to bid. “50,000 dollars.”
“50,000 dollars going once!”
Seeing Eliana bid for the bracelet, Karina raised her hand from the back row. “80,000 dollars.”
“Xavier, this bracelet would be perfect for Irene’s birthday.”
Xavier nodded.
Eliana raised her bid again.“100,000 dollars.”
That was her limit. This bracelet wasn’t worth that much. It was
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Chapter 22 Raising the Bid
overpriced.
“200,000 dollars.”
Karina confidently withdrew her hand with a smirk.
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Eliana couldn’t afford this. She left the Hogan family without a penny. She couldn’t have more than 200,000 dollars.
Karina thought, “I’m rich. Spending 200,000 dollars to crush Eliana is nothing. Besides, Irene will be impressed by the gift. Why not do this?”
Stealing her man and outbidding her?
Over her dead body.
Hearing the bid, Eliana turned and met Karina’s provocative gaze.
Hah!
There they were. They kept haunting her.
Did they try to bury her with money?
Eliana said inwardly, “Let’s wait and see.
“One million dollars.”
The crowd gasped in shock.
Wealthy as they were, they had never seen such reckless biddings.
Even the auctioneer stammered. Emerald bracelets never fetched such
prices.
After confirming Eliana’s bid, she announced, voice trembling, “One million dollars going once!”
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Chapter 22 Raising the Bid
Karina raised her bid, “Two million dollars!”
Xavier said, “Karina, the bracelet’s not worth that.”
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“It’s fine. I can afford it.” Karina gave a faint smile. “Irene’s happiness is priceless.”
The bracelet was not worth two million dollars, but she could afford it.
“Five million dollars!” Eliana raised her bid with calm confidence.
The audience was shocked by the insane bidding. Only women dared to do that.
Karina tightened her grip on the paddle, her tender face contorting with shock. She thought, “How dare Eliana raise the bid? Does she think she
can outbid me?”
Karina made up her mind to teach Eliana a good lesson today. How could Eliana challenge her?
Gritting her teeth, Karina raised her bid. “5.1 million dollars.”
“5.1 million dollars, once.”
“5.1 million dollars, twice.”
Karina panicked. Why didn’t Eliana raise her bid?
“5.1 million dollars, sold!”
The gavel slammed. “Congratulations! This emerald bracelet is yours for 5.1 million dollars!”
Karina turned to Eliana and suddenly realized one thing.
She had been tricked.
