Gretchen was also looking at him. "Martin"

Martin frowned. He'd promised her earlier, so backing out was impossible. "I said I'd give it to you. Don't worry." He bit the bullet and raised his bidder card. "Eleven million."

"Okay, Mr. Morel bids eleven million. Anyone else?"

"Twenty million!" Otto declared.

Martin's face darkened.

Sensing his distress, Gretchen quickly said, "Martin, it's okay. I didn't like it that much anyway."

Martin frowned. Hesitating, he caught sight of Gwenda's mocking expression. Steeling himself, he gritted his teeth and called out, "Twenty-one million dollars!" Gretchen was shocked, her heart overflowing with joy.

Seeing this, Justina leaned close and whispered with a smile, "Mr. Morel really dotes on you."

Gretchen said shyly, "Martin has always been very good to me."

"I bet Gwenda's furious now," Justina said, glancing at Gwenda with a smug, provocative expression.

Gwenda's mocking smile widened. She looked away, unfazed.

"Mr. Morel has bid twenty-one million dollars. A higher bid?" The host's voice was high-pitched.

"Twenty-one million, going once!" "Twenty-one million, going twice!" "Twenty-one mil—"

"One hundred million!" Otto interrupted.

An uproar followed.

"Oh my god, he actually bid one hundred million dollars!" "What a rich guy!" "Who is he?"

Gwenda's eyelid twitched in disbelief. She whipped out her phone and called Olivier.

"Have you gone mad? One hundred million dollars for a necklace?"

"You don't like it?" Olivier, leaning against a second-floor railing, casually watched Gwenda's anxious face below.

"You really want to give it to me?"

Gwenda facepalmed.

"Of course!"

"But"

"You're worth it."

The hammer fell. The host cried, "Congratulations! Congratulations to this gentleman for obtaining the 'Heart of the Ocean' at a bid price of one hundred million dollars!"

The audience applauded.

Gwenda was speechless. She was about to speak when Olivier hung up.

Martin looked embarrassed; Gretchen was equally bewildered.

"Martin, it's okay. I didn't like it that much," Gretchen comforted him.

Justina agreed. "Yeah, Mr. Morel. One hundred million for that shabby necklace? Give Gretchen something else instead." Martin relaxed slightly, hugging Gretchen and murmuring affectionately, "Then, if you see something you like, tell me, okay?"

"Okay," Gretchen nodded, though still slightly upset. She wondered about the man's identity, spending one hundred million dollars on the "Heart of the Ocean"

While the guests speculated about Otto's identity, the organizer presented the necklace. "Sir, please store it carefully."

"Thank you." Otto took the necklace and walked directly to Gwenda.

Hattie exclaimed, "Gwenda, who do you think that guy is? He paid one hundred million! What a rich— Wait, why is he coming over here? What's happening?"

Otto stood before Gwenda. "Miss Evans, this is a gift from my boss. Please accept it."