Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Downstairs, the auction continued.

By the time the vase came up for bidding, the atmosphere had grown intense.

“Starting bid is five million dollars. Let’s begin.”

Killian held back and didn’t make any hasty moves. He surveyed the room first, watching the other bidders raise their paddles by 200 thousand dollars or 500 thousand dollars at a time.

People like Bradley who jumped the bid by a million dollars were in the minority. He wasn’t in any rush, waiting like a patient hunter for the right moment. He genuinely wanted to buy it, not just drive up the price.

Soon, the bidding reached 10 million dollars.

Killian finally raised his paddle. “11 million dollars.”

Someone bid. “11.5 million dollars!”

His expression remained calm as he continued bidding:38

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When the price hit 13 million dollars, Killian never expected Bradley, sitting right beside him, to slowly raise his paddle.

“14 million dollars.”

Killian froze for a moment, then his face hardened with displeasure. “What’re you playing at, Mr. Ferrer?”

Bradley smiled, “I’m bidding for you. Same difference.”

“Why don’t you check out the other items, Mr. Ferrer? I’m getting this vase no matter what.” A chill settled in Killian’s eyes as he declined the offer.

Bradley gestured as if to say, “Be my guest.”

Killian raised his paddle. “15 million dollars.”

For a vase set, that was already a steep price, and the piece was practically his. But then the second-floor private box suddenly raised a paddle.

“20 million dollars.”

They’d jumped by five million dollars in one go. The 2/6

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auctioneer’s eyes lit up, and when he looked toward the second floor, his voice actually trembled. “20 million dollars once! Do I hear any other bids?”

Tonight’s auction was turning out to be full of surprises. They hadn’t even reached the major items yet, and the / atmosphere was already this heated. What would happen with the pieces coming up later?

Something cold settled in Killian’s chest. He narrowed his eyes and glanced up toward the second floor.

Whatever thought crossed his mind made him lower his paddle and abandon the bid.

Bradley tilted his head with surprise mixed with amusement. “Mr. Frost, didn’t you say you had to have it? Not gonna keep bidding?”

Killian cleared his throat. “You saw it yourself. The man up there will pay whatever it takes. No point competing with the Hayes family. I’ll just consider it doing them a favor.” The decision came quickly.

Understanding dawned on Bradley as he looked up toward the private box. Strange. The Hayes family had

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seen every luxury imaginable. Why would they suddenly take interest in two such unremarkable pieces?

In the second-floor private box, Evander sealed the deal and won the vase.

Connor asked curiously, “Mr. Hayes, who are you buying

this vase for?”

“Mr. Hartwell likes it. Since we came across it, figured I’d grab it for him.” Evander said it so casually, like he was just picking up groceries, completely effortless.

Connor threw up his hands. “Casually grabbed it? You sure you didn’t just swoop in because Mr. Frost was bidding on it?”

Evander didn’t confirm or deny it. He’d gotten what he wanted and left in high spirits.

For the rest of the auction, without Evander’s participation, the atmosphere noticeably cooled down. Even the grand finale pieces didn’t hit their expected prices.

Killian didn’t want to leave empty-handed, so he casually 476

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bid on a pink-blue diamond before heading home.

*****

Nicole curled up in her room. Figuring the timing was right, she sneakily texted Edward.

Nicole: [Edward, what did Mr. Frost end up buying tonight?]

Edward had already dropped Killian off at the villa and took a moment to reply.

Edward: [Pink-blue diamond. 30 million dollars.]

Nicole stared at the “30 million dollars” figure and rolled around on her bed, clutching her phone with excitement.

All those days and nights taking care of Killian had finally paid off. She knew it. He cared about her.

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