Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 99

"What are you talking about? Did you not just hear my uncle say the Harrington family is taking this ring?" Percy barked.

The auctioneer practically sprinted off the stage, bowing frantically in front of Raymond.

"I am so, so sorry, sir! The federal regulators just called us directly. They stated that this auction is under investigation for market manipulation. If we don't sell to the highest bidder legally, the entire auction house will be shut down permanently. Please understand, Mr. Harrington!"

The auctioneer was profusely sweating as he apologized. Emma offered a radiant smile, casually handing her cashmere throw to Carter before standing up and elegantly smoothing out her dress.

"The account linked to my paddle has more than enough funds to cover everything I won today. I'll have someone pick up the items later."

She then turned her gaze toward Gillian. "As for that ring, I expect this lady to bring it to me and publicly beg for my forgiveness."

"Emma, don't push it."

Percy stepped protectively in front of Gillian, looking at Emma with profound disappointment. "When did you become so vicious and demanding? You never used to be like this."

"That just proves you never knew me at all." Emma let out a soft laugh, entirely unfazed. "I happen to love being vicious."

Raymond narrowed his eyes. He had severely underestimated this girl. For her to have the power to mobilize federal regulators in a matter of seconds was no small feat.

Meanwhile, Pamela was quietly studying Emma.

"So you're Emma. I've heard so much about you, but this is our first time meeting. We were out of line today. I didn't realize you loved this ring so much, and Gillian can be terribly stubborn. We're surrounded by the city's elite right now. For the sake of the Harrington and Lockwood families' reputations, let's just talk this over privately. What do you say?"

Pamela smiled warmly. Emma arched an eyebrow. "If the Harringtons had won the ring, would you have been 'warm' enough to let me off the hook? I doubt it."

Raymond's expression turned frigid. "A smart person always leaves themselves a way out."

"So the Harringtons are going to help Gillian default on her bet? Fine by me."

Emma turned back to the auctioneer. "Frame the contract Gillian and I signed and hang it in your lobby. I'll pay you ten thousand dollars for every day it stays up."

"Emma!"

"It seems neither of you is particularly bright."

Emma tapped her temple with a slender finger, looking effortlessly charming and utterly lethal.

"I literally have a fifteen-million-dollar sports car sitting in a showroom right now just acting as a mascot. Did you really think dropping eighty million on a ring I can actually wear would be a problem for me?"

Percy stood completely paralyzed. Did she actually buy that car herself?

But if she had that kind of wealth and power behind her, why had she kept it a total secret the entire time they were dating?!

Unlike his sheer bewilderment, Gillian was drowning in a tidal wave of pure hatred.

If Emma hadn't stolen the first seventeen years of her life, Gillian would have received the elite education. She would have had that untouchable power! Emma's connections, her resources, her millions—it all should have belonged to Gillian!

Why wouldn't she just die?!