Chapter 326

After Cynthia shouted a price, others quickly followed suit, raising the bids. Someone shouted, "2.5 million!" Another person yelled, "3 million!" Cynthia countered with, "3.1 million!" Then came another flurry of bids from the audience: "8.5 million!", "9 million!", "9.1 million!"

Shirley watched for a moment. She noticed Cynthia seemed to like the rose brooch and kept bidding, each time increasing the bid by only 100,000 dollars.

Shirley sneered. So, this is the lady of the Bennett family? Her spending habits are as stingy as anyone else's.

When the bidding reached 4.5 million dollars, Shirley used her paddle, saying, "6 million!"

The auction room fell silent. Many eyes turned to Shirley, who lifted her chin. She loved being the center of attention.

Shirley glanced at Cynthia. Anything Cynthia liked, Shirley wanted. Didn't Cynthia like the rose brooch? Then Shirley wanted it too!

Whitney had given Shirley a bidding limit of 16 million dollars. Shirley believed she could outbid Cynthia.

"6.1 million!" Cynthia bid, increasing the amount by the usual 100,000.

Seeing Cynthia's small increment, Shirley scoffed. With a dramatic gesture, she announced, "7 million dollars!"

Cynthia bid, "7.1 million!" Shirley countered, "8 million!" Cynthia responded, "8.1 million!"

Cynthia calmly raised her bid. No one else offered after the price reached 6 million dollars. It was a head-to-head competition between Cynthia and Shirley.

The two engaged in a fierce bidding war, with Cynthia always bidding 100,000 dollars more than Shirley. Initially, Shirley increased her bids by 500,000 dollars, but she gradually got caught up in the excitement. Finally, she shouted, "10 million dollars!"

The room went silent. Everyone's eyes were on Shirley, but their expressions were complex. Some people whispered in small groups.

Shirley had no idea what they were saying. She only felt the thrill of being the center of attention. Today, she was determined not to lose to Cynthia.

"10.1 million dollars!" Cynthia shouted, unwilling to give up, relentlessly increasing her bid.

David's expression was full of excitement as the price soared.

Shirley shouted, "15 million!" After countless rounds of bids, the price had risen to 15 million. Cynthia calmly added another 100,000 dollars.

Shirley, furious, extravagantly shouted, "16 million!" Sixteen million dollars was Shirley's limit. She couldn't bid higher.

After her bid, the auction hall fell silent. Shirley looked at Cynthia, feeling uneasy. If Cynthia raised her bid, Shirley would be unable to compete. But this time, Cynthia remained seated, unusually silent, without placing another bid.

Chapter 320

"Sixteen million dollars, going once," David called. There was no response.

David called again, "Sixteen million dollars, going twice. Any bids higher than 16 million?" The audience remained silent.

David called a third time, "Sixteen million dollars, going three times!"

Finally, David slammed the gavel down and announced, "Sold for 16 million dollars! Congratulations to Ms. Jones for winning the rose brooch!"

Shirley's expression was smug. She had finally beaten Cynthia. She had been worried Cynthia might continue bidding, but thankfully, Cynthia had backed down after Shirley had spent all her allocated funds. Shirley felt she had won brilliantly.

David invited Shirley onstage to claim her prize. Shirley took the brooch and returned to her seat.

Shirley looked at the audience. She felt she had stolen the show, believing everyone would be impressed by her bold move.

But everyone looked at her with strange, smiling expressions. They were chatting and laughing, not taking her seriously at all; there was even a hint of disdain in their eyes.

Shirley sensed something was wrong. She looked at Cynthia, who sat expressionless, but Jonathan had a faint smile, watching Cynthia with amusement.

Jonathan asked, "Is this fun?" Cynthia smiled back but said nothing.

Shirley felt tricked, like a clown causing a scene. She felt something was wrong but couldn't figure it out. This feeling lingered.

It wasn't until after a few more pieces were auctioned and David announced a break that Shirley approached Whitney. Whitney had paid for the brooch; Shirley decided to gift it to her. "Ms. Bennett, this rose brooch suits you well. I'll give it to you as a gift."

Shirley knew Whitney probably wouldn't accept it, but she had to try to win her favor. Whitney glanced at the brooch and said casually, "Since you like this kind of thing, you can have it. This cheap stuff seems more suitable for someone with a dull mind like you."

Whitney's words dumbfounded Shirley. What does she mean by that?

Alex couldn't stand it anymore and said mockingly, "Ms. Jones, Ms. Bennett gave you 16 million dollars, and you bought something so worthless. With a starting bid of 1 million dollars, this brooch is worth 6 million at best. It's not even one of Miss Y's creations; it has little collectible value. You've just lost 10 million dollars."

Shirley was stunned. She looked at the brooch in disbelief. "Didn't they say every piece today was priceless? Why is this one worthless?"

Alex continued, "Didn't you notice there are over thirty pieces? They can't all be priceless. Haven't you heard, 'the best is saved for last'? Others make small moves, and you play your trump card like it's impressive. No, people just think you're crazy."

Alex couldn't understand why Shirley seemed so clueless. Why had Whitney brought her to such an important event?

Shirley was dumbfounded. No wonder people looked at me like I was the punchline of a joke when I bid 16 million dollars on that brooch.

Shirley stared at the brooch. Suddenly, something dawned on her.

Although angry, Shirley said, "I don't care what this brooch is worth; as long as Cynthia wanted it, I was going to snatch it away. If it makes her upset, then it's worth it."