Chapter 479 Gossip

He instinctively looked toward Meryl. She was intently watching the auction stage, seemingly unaware of their arrival.

What was being auctioned was an ancient painting a thousand years old, yet it had been perfectly preserved through the ages.

This painting, Flourishing Age, was invaluable, something that should have been displayed in a museum. Yet, here it was at the Powell family’s auction, causing many to whisper in amazement.

“The Powell family really started with shady businesses. Having even one piece like this is incredible. This is the fifth item tonight, right?”

“Yeah! That’s why they say the Powell family is fabulously wealthy. Just a few artifacts being auctioned would be enough to amaze us all!”

“Where did they get such items? Can’t we report them?”

“Are you crazy? This is the Powell family! I’m afraid you’ll be gone before they even fall!”

Everyone wore expressions of trepidation, but they couldn’t resist the allure of the auction items, each bidding high prices that were the envy of onlookers.

Meryl was also amazed because she had never seen such things before…

Gossip echoed from the stage. “This is a rare treasure, with a texture as smooth and uniform as cream. The starting bid is thirty million dollars!”

“Thirty-two million!”

“Thirty-five million!”

A few people began to bid intermittently.

Seeing that this was the bracelet Anne liked, Meryl immediately raised her paddle. “Fifty million!”

It was the first time Meryl had spoken since the auction began. Her goal for today was this bracelet. She planned to buy it and go straight back.

Because of the high initial bid, the room fell silent for a moment.

A few seconds later, seeing no one else bid, the auctioneer immediately said, “Fifty million once! Fifty million twice!”

“Sixty million!” Someone else bid.

Meryl instinctively looked toward the voice and saw Rachel sitting next to Chandler.

It was Rachel who had made the bid.

Meryl and Chandler’s gazes met in the air.

She had heard a lot of gossip tonight.

For example, the Morgan family had fallen into decline years ago. It was thanks to Chandler’s financial support that Rachel was able to complete her studies.

Also, after the Morgan family’s decline, Rachel had to rely on distant relatives who happened to be neighbors with the farmers who adopted Chandler. So Rachel and Chandler grew up together.

Sixty million dollars was not a small sum. The Morgan family’s assets had long been confiscated. Could she really come up with that much money?

Or… would Chandler buy the bracelet for her?

Meryl lowered her eyes, feeling a bit downcast as she shifted her gaze away from them.

“Sixty million once. Sixty million twice.”

Meryl raised her paddle again. “Eighty million.”

She felt apologetic for taking what others loved, but this was the bracelet Anne liked. She had to help her get it.

That was all the money on the card Anne gave her. If Rachel bid again…

“Eighty-five million!”

Rachel seemed determined to get the bracelet, leaving Meryl to close her eyes in resignation.

Sitting next to Rachel, Chandler had already furrowed his brow.

Rachel blinked innocently. “I really like that bracelet. It’s not easy to find something so to my taste. I don’t have that much money, but you do, right, my patron?”

Chandler frowned in displeasure, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Rachel giggled mischievously, “You said I don’t have to pay you back, and that we don’t keep score between us, right? So aren’t you my patron? Or is it because I want the bracelet your wife likes that you’re feeling stingy? Don’t forget she just cuckolded you tonight. I’m just punishing her for you.”