Chapter 727

After rushing home, Elizabeth flew into a rage, smashing and tearing everything in sight, including photos of herself and Joseph. Joseph entered to find the house in ruins.

"Are you done?" he asked.

"No!" she howled hysterically, throwing anything within reach at him. "Get out! Get out! I don't want to see you!"

Joseph kicked aside some debris and approached her, his expression darkening. "I know you're angry that I embarrassed you in front of the media," he said, "but did you ever consider my reputation when you spoke?"

"How is it my fault?!" Elizabeth trembled with fury. "How did I ruin your reputation? Did I scold you, insult you, or make you look bad to the reporters? Did you have to humiliate me like that in front of everyone?!" She had never expected him to say such things publicly.

"Yes, you didn't scold me, but you insinuated things," Joseph retorted, loosening his tie and crossing his arms. "Did you forget where we were? Did you forget who you are? It was a favor for me to take you there, and you promised to behave. Yet, look at what you've done! You acted like a maniac, desperate for people to see your connection to me. And didn't we agree on a six-million-dollar budget? When you bid ten million, did you ever think of me? Do you think my money grows on trees?!"

His anger escalated with each word. He continued to vent his frustration: "You didn't even look at me! Do you listen to anything I say? Do you feel invincible now? Do you think the Tanner Corporation is yours for the taking, so you can just push me aside?!"

His final words stunned Elizabeth. Her tears ceased, replaced by shame. However, she refused to concede, mumbling, "T-That's not what I meant. Someone kept trying to outbid me, so in the heat of the moment, I—"

"In the heat of the moment? You decided to spend ten million dollars in the heat of the moment?! Elizabeth, you're out of your mind!" The thought of wasting ten million dollars pained Joseph. People would mock him, calling him a fool.

"Didn't you agree to get me the necklace, no matter what?" Elizabeth countered angrily.

"Didn't I also say I'd get you anything you wanted, as long as it was within six million dollars?"

This reminded Joseph of Eloise, his frequent auction companion. She always pre-calculated her budget, assessed her targets, and estimated their value. She never overspent. He had to admit that Eloise was far more responsible with finances than Elizabeth.

"About that—" Elizabeth hesitated, panicked after his outburst, before finally speaking. "You didn't spend ten million on me! Didn't you tell them the necklace was for your wife?!"

The realization infuriated her. She'd fought for the necklace all day, only to learn Joseph intended it for someone else. Now Eloise would have a ten-million-dollar necklace, and Elizabeth would be the laughingstock of wealthy wives. Wiping her tears, she stood and approached Joseph, looking at him tearfully.

"Joseph" she whispered, employing her most effective tactic—a soft, demure tone. Joseph usually gave in when she played the spoiled child.