Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 186

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Alpha’s Discarded Luna

Chapter 181

Nick’s POV

The three of them laugh casually, without even an ounce of regret in their voices. I hear it from across the room, and my face turns ashen with anger.

“Letting a man pay for everything.” I spit the words. “How shameless of her! Does she want to spend her life just being a freeloader forever? I doubt she has earned a single penny in her life.”

Imema watches Talia for a moment, then shrugs. “Sixty million dollars is nothing to a man like Raymond.”

I sneer. “Sixty million dollars may be nothing to Raymond, but what about a hundred million dollars?” I glance at her. “Does he just throw that around too?”

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Imema looks at me, surprised. “Nick, you do not mean…”

I scoff. “I do not believe Raymond would buy up everything at this auction just to spoil Talia.”

I still have some money left. But I am not about to blow over a hundred million dollars on a single item. I also do not dare provoke Talia again. I am afraid she will not bite this time. 1/6

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But the more she bids, the more I feel sure Raymond will not keep paying for everything.

I keep bidding. Item after item. Each time, Talia wins. At first, I am pleased. I think I am finally getting the better of her. But then I watch her coolly swipe her card to pay. A doubt creeps in. Her total spending is now over a hundred million dollars.

My gaze shifts back to Raymond. He has never bid on anything himself. He just stands there, his smile unreadable.

My thoughts grow more confused. What is going on? Is Talia really just buying these things, or is she playing some game?

I place another bid. The price climbs. When it reaches ninety million dollars, Talia stops bidding again.

I frown. What is going on with her?

Even Imema seems to be losing track of Talia’s intentions. I keep bidding high. Talia stops when the price gets too steep. When I give up, she does not seem to regret winning.

It is almost like this auction has turned into a personal showdown between me and Talia. People around us are watching, amused, like they are witnessing some spectacle. Let them go at it. It is turning into quite a show.

The auction has previewed most of the items for the ening.4.36

Chapter 181

had my eyes on a few. But by the time my bidding war with Talia started, my budget had already taken a major hit. I have already spent over two hundred million dollars. I even burned through the money my father gave me for my mother’s birthday gift.

Then something new catches everyone’s attention.

A stunning necklace appears on the stage. A sea–blue gemstone pendant, catching the light in a mesmerizing way. The necklace is gorgeous. Exquisite. The kind of piece that stops conversation.

Imema’s eyes sparkle. She leans forward in her seat. “That is Melody!”

Imema’s POV

Melody. The necklace that once matched my piano, Melora. I remember the story. It was said that Melody and Melora had belonged to a deeply in–love couple. Tragically, the owner of Melody passed away unexpectedly. The owner of Melora went into seclusion after composing a world–famous piano piece. No one had heard from him since.

Even Melora was sold. It circulated among collectors. Some say he died. Others believe that after losing his beloved, he lost the will to play the piano. That was why he parted with Melora.

Regardless of the truth, it is a heartbreaking story. Since Melora ise of the world’s most renowned pianos, the value Meløb

Chapter 181

has skyrocketed along with it. But no matter what, this necklace is breathtakingly beautiful. Any woman who sees it would fall in love.

I stare at it, mesmerized. The gem catches the light, deep blue like the ocean at midnight. Suddenly, an idea sparks. I turn to Aires. “Alpha, you…”

His voice is low, calm. “I promised you I would get you a new necklace.”

After my necklace was taken from me at the last auction, I was down in the dumps for days. My mood was so bad I ended up in the hospital a couple of times. Eventually, Aires promised to buy me another necklace. One even better than the one Serena had.

Never worse.

Now, seeing Melody before me, I finally understand what he

meant.

Tears well up in my eyes. “Alpha, you really did not have to do all this for me.”

His deep gaze settles on me. “This necklace will be the perfect match with your Melora when you perform.”

I wanted Serena’s necklace purely to spite Talia. But compared to the one in front of me? Serena’s necklace seems weak. Ingemarkable. Forgettable.

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Melody is everything.

I have already started imagining it. Wearing this necklace, playing the Melora on stage. The way the light will catch the gem. The way the audience will stare. The way they will whisper about how beautiful I look. How perfect.

The bidding begins. Melody is different from the other items. The starting bid is twenty million dollars. For previous items, each raise had to be no less than ten thousand dollars. For Melody? Every raise must be at least one hundred thousand dollars.

Many of the people here came specifically for this necklace. Realistically, it is probably worth over a hundred million dollars. But based on how the auction is going, it might go for much more.

The price climbs quickly. Fifty million. Sixty million. Seventy million. Eighty million.

Then Aires speaks. His voice is calm, unhurried. “One hundred million dollars.”

The room shifts. The atmosphere changes. Everyone falls silent.

Aires is the mogul at the top of the business world. No one dares to dishonor him. Even business rivals will not openly challenge

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his authority. Today’s enemies could easily be tomorrow’s partners.

The auctioneer pauses. I see the awe in his face. One word, and the whole room quiets. A presence that commands silence.

Normally, he would keep promoting the item before starting the countdown. But Aires has spoken. No one will challenge him.

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He follows the procedure. “One hundred million dollars once. One hundred million dollars twice.”

My heart soars. It is mine. It is finally-

A clear, melodious voice cuts through the quiet air.

“Two hundred million dollars.”

I whip around, and my blood runs cold.

Talia sits in the fourth row, her paddle raised, her expression

calm.

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