In the end, the bid for the book was won by one of the tycoons.
As for the item Hera contributed to the auction, she had initially left it for last due to how valuable it was.
However, she currently felt the urge to put herself back in the limelight.
She had always enjoyed being the center of attention and relished the feeling of being worshiped.
It was one thing for Ashlyn to steal her man, but to steal her limelight, too, was unacceptable.
Consequently, she responded to Lucasâ reprimand with a smile and didnât show signs of being upset.
Maintaining an elegant countenance, she declared, âLadies and gentlemen, the next item on the block is from my personal collection. And now, Iâll have my assistant bring it up on stage.â
The moment she finished, the assistant quickly switched the tray she was originally carrying to Heraâs item. Whatâs going on with her? Arenât we supposed to auction the vase first? Why did she suddenly change it to her item?
Despite the questions in her mind, the assistant hurried onto the stage with Heraâs item.
Ashlyn had no interest in what it was until she heard a loud gasp from the crowd.
When she looked up with a frown, she was greeted by the sight of a black velvet box that held within it a piece of red jade.
Underneath the illumination of the light, the red jade glistened with a soft sheen that demonstrated its impeccable clarity.
A jewelry expert within the crowd exclaimed, âWhat an extremely rare piece of red jade, especially with a leaf carved into the back of it! The contrasting features of the green leaf and red stone make this a highly valuable treasure!â
Despite gloating for a split second, Hera forced herself to maintain her composure as she explained, âThis red jade has been in the Chapman familyâs collection for many years and is a priceless piece.
The bid starts at⦠five million.â
Hera was persistent in stealing the limelight at the auction.
This is nothing but a lousy piece of jade. Yet Grandpa treats it like a treasure all the time.
Meanwhile, the sight of the red jade elicited a drastic change in Sisleyâs expression.
What is Hera doing? That red jade belongs to Alice. How can she put it out on auction without anyoneâs permission? If Bob finds out about this, heâll skin both of us alive.
Sisley glared at her daughter. Hera has clearly agreed to return the red jade. Why is it here at the auction?
Sisleyâs overwhelming anger caused her throat to hurt, but she realized it was too late to stop it now that the red jade had been unveiled on stage.
Her eyes consequently reddened. Where has Heraâs sensibility gone? Why is she becoming more and more disobedient to the extent of doing something like that?
At that moment, Ryanâwho had just arrivedânarrowed his eyes the moment he saw the red jade on stage. He just couldnât believe what he was looking at. That⦠if Iâm not mistaken, that is⦠I must have it!
For the very first time, the usually reserved Ryan shouted brazenly, âTen million!â
âTen million? An increase of five just like that?â
âThe Yates family are filthy rich indeed!â
âWhatâs going on with Mr. Yates?â
Mary and Penelope, who were following Ryan from behind, widened their eyes in shock.
Ten million? For a lousy piece of jade? Has Ryan gone mad?
âRyan, itâs ten million. Are you sure you want it? Whatâs so special about it?â
Mary had planned to flaunt the Yates familyâs wealth. Little did she expect the money to be used to bid for the jade.
Wouldnât it be embarrassing if I didnât buy anything in the end?
Without any hesitation, she began to dissuade Ryan from doing so.
Penelope, who caught the look her mother gave her, added, âExactly, Uncle Ryan. Wouldnât the money be better spent on buying something more meaningful?â
The incessant pestering by the mother and daughter duo simply annoyed Ryan.
Ignoring both of them, he strode up on stage to examine the red jade up close. The design felt particularly familiar to him, especially the carved leave on it.
The red jade was a unique heirloom given to members of the Yates family. Within his generation, only he and his elder sister were given one each.