Chapter 21

Isabella acted as if she were afraid she wouldn't be able to afford the bracelet. Seeing Isabella's frustrated expression, Ivana's blood boiled. Why is this bitch still pretending? she thought.

Deciding to escalate the situation, Ivana stomped her foot anxiously, staring at Isabella. "Isabella, don't do this! The guy you scammed last time didn't even pay you. How can you afford this bracelet?"

The bystanders, now aware of Isabella's alleged scamming, looked at her with disgust. "What kind of scum does that to people?" one muttered.

Isabella's face darkened. She retracted her card and glared at Ivana, refusing to back down. "You keep saying I don't have money," she said softly. "Let's bid on it. Highest bidder wins."

Ivana was momentarily stunned. Bidding? Is she trying to save face? She's always been neglected, and even her identity as Dr. Lovett is fake. If this bitch wants to play, I'll play with her. I'll crush her once and for all.

Before Ivana could agree, the sales assistant interrupted. "Sorry, this is an official counter. We don't allow private bidding." Company policy was strict; allowing private bidding could cost her job, even though she'd prefer a higher sale price.

Isabella raised an eyebrow, acknowledging the assistant's integrity. This didn't derail her plan, however. "Then we'll bid privately," she proposed, looking at Ivana. "If the amount exceeds the listed price, we can choose other items to cover the difference."

The sales assistant's eyes lit up. A private bid followed by additional purchases was perfectly acceptable—and highly profitable for her. Hurry up and start bidding! she thought excitedly, already envisioning the jealous looks from her colleagues and her upcoming sales champion title.

Seeing Ivana hesitate, Isabella giggled, tilting her head. "Are you afraid?"

Ivana felt suspicious, but before she could respond, Cassie stepped forward, linking arms with Ivana and puffing out her chest. "Challenge accepted! Do you think a loser like you can compete with Ivana?" Cassie sneered, her disdain evident. "Ivana is the true Stout heiress. She has more than enough money."

Isabella raised her eyebrows. The fish has taken the bait.

She sighed dramatically, feigning defeat. "Yes, she is the true Stout heiress," she murmured, as if Cassie's words had wounded her. Without giving Ivana a chance to retreat, she continued, "So, you're not bidding because you're afraid of me, right?"

Ivana's eyes darkened. Did she just say I'm afraid? It's just an auction! If she wants to humiliate herself, let her.

Ivana shook her head. "Since you like it so much, Isabella, I'll bid against you. If you really want this bracelet, I'll buy it for you. After all, you don't have the money, do you? You'll have to buy it under my name."

The crowd admired Ivana's supposed kindness.

"How kind!" one exclaimed. "Unlike that other woman, who's not only promiscuous but also fighting with her own sister! I'm so glad I don't have a sister like that."

"If I had a sister like her, I'd cut ties immediately! So shameless!" another added.

Chapter 21 (Continued)

A sizable crowd had already gathered, but news of the impending bidding war between Isabella and Ivana drew even more onlookers.

"Why's she doing this if she has no money?" someone whispered.

"It's for show. She's vain," another responded.

The crowd overwhelmingly condemned Isabella. Isabella smiled, unfazed. She’d heard such judgments countless times.

Ivana, however, reveled in the moment. Spending money to humiliate Isabella is worth it. Who does she think she is?

Isabella tapped the glass display case, her voice soft. "Let's start with the price of this emerald bracelet, shall we?"

Everyone looked at the bracelet, priced at $150,000. While Draxenport had its wealthy residents, few would spend that much on jewelry.

Ivana smirked. $150,000 was nothing to her. Lifting her chin, she bid, "$200,000."

Isabella calmly countered, "$300,000."

The bidding continued: $350,000, $600,000, $1,000,000, $1,200,000, $1,300,000. The price escalated to $2.5 million—an astronomical sum for most.

The onlookers were speechless. Aren't they family? Does it have to go this far?

Ivana's eyelashes trembled; her grip tightened on her handbag. Isabella saw that Ivana was nearing her limit. She knew Ivana's allowance; Molly might give her a lot, but even Molly had limits, and Hudson would never give her unlimited access to family funds.

Isabella smiled faintly. "Is your wallet feeling the strain?"

The insult enraged Ivana. Isabella's laughing eyes only fueled her anger. Gritting her teeth, Ivana yelled, "$3 million!"

Ivana noticed hesitation in Isabella's eyes. No matter where she scammed this money from, she's running low.

The crowd was stunned. Three million dollars could buy a top-tier gem. No one expected such a bid in a shopping mall.

Ivana smiled, her tone gracious. "What's the matter, Isabella? Is your wallet feeling the strain?"

Cassie chimed in smugly. "How much money could she possibly have? She's just putting on airs! She's nothing compared to you!"

Ivana chuckled. "Don't say that. Isabella just lacks self-control."

Chapter 21 (Continued)

Isabella almost laughed; she couldn't deny her lack of self-control had caused years of foolish mistakes. She didn't refute Ivana's mockery. Instead, she raised her head, clenched her fists, and put on an expression of great difficulty. "$5 million," she said.

Everyone gasped. Five million?! Who said she didn't have money?

Ivana's face paled, her carefully maintained composure crumbling.