Chasing the Unexpected

Rebecca bit her lip, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes.

If Valarie didn’t raise the bid again, she wouldn’t have the money to pay. Yet, judging by Valarie’s earlier behavior, it was clear that she was doing this on purpose and wouldn’t bid any higher.

“20,000,000 dollars, going twice!” the auctioneer called again.

No one else raised their paddles.

The jewelry set was made of ordinary emeralds–though it had a nice design, it held no real collectible value. Only a fool would pay 20,000,000 dollars for it, let alone raise the bid further.

Orlando gritted his teeth. “Didn’t you say Valarie would raise the bid again?”

Facing Orlando’s angry gaze, Rebecca bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears. “Mr. Nuttall, I’m sorry. I was wrong…

“I only agreed to give you 15,000,000 dollars, no more. Figure out the remaining 5,000,000 dollars yourself! “Orlando snapped.

He wasn’t stupid. He could tell Rebecca had been deliberately trying to outbid Valarie earlier. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

At that moment, he regretted giving Rebecca a 15,000,000–dollar budget. Normally, that amount could have won three or four pieces of jewelry. He couldn’t believe she had been foolish enough to be outmaneuvered by Valarie.

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Upon seeing Orlando’s darkening expression, fear flickered in Rebecca’s eyes, and she dared not speak again.

As the auctioneer called out, “20,000,000 dollars, sold!” the crowd began to whisper and laugh at Orlando.

Some even openly mocked him.

“Mr. Nuttall, you’ve got quite the companion there. She just casually raised the bid by 5,000,000 dollars. Impressive!”

“Hahaha, after all, she’s married to Mr. Preston. With the Preston Group backing her, it makes sense for her to be so generous!”

“The question is, though, did Mr. Nuttall pay for this to impress her, or did Mrs. Preston buy it herself?”

As the mocking comments continued, Orlando’s face grew darker, and Rebecca felt increasingly uneasy. Where could she find 5,000,000 dollars to make up for this mess?

In the past, she might have sweet–talked Nathaniel into giving her the money, but now… if he found out what she’d done at the auction, who knew what would happen?

Watching Rebecca’s shifting expression, Valarie raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Nyla, look at Rebecca. She seems to be in a panic about that 5,000,000 dollars.”

Her tone was filled with gloating glee, clearly enjoying Rebecca’s predicament. Rebecca was out of her league trying to play games with her.

Nyla glanced at Rebecca and then looked away indifferently. “Valarie, don’t do that again. Even if it feels

good to get back at her, you’ve also made an enemy of Mr. Nuttall.”

Orlando was practically glowering. While most of his anger was directed at Rebecca, he undoubtedly harbored some resentment toward Valarie as well.

“It’s just the Nuttall Group. I don’t care about them. Even if he’s unhappy with me, there’s nothing he can do!” Valarie dismissed.

The fact that Orlando was entangled with Rebecca, a married woman, already showed what kind of person he was. Valarie wasn’t worried about offending him.

Seeing Valarie’s confident and carefree demeanor, Nyla couldn’t help but smile and shake her head.

She didn’t say anything else, trusting that Valarie knew what she was doing. It was just a jewelry set- nothing that should cause a major fallout with Orlando

After that, Rebecca didn’t raise her paddle again. She kept her head down, lost in thought.

As the auction neared its end, Rebecca got up and went to the restroom to call Nathaniel.

When Nathaniel learned that she had spent 20,000,000 dollars on an emerald jewelry set at the auction, he was so furious he nearly threw his phone.