The Breaking Point of Mate: Giving Up on My Alpha novel Chapter 84

Gillian drew in a sharp breath, her voice low but trembling with unmasked emotion. “…It’s them.”

She turned toward me. “Did you know they’d be here too?”

I shook my head.

I didn’t know.

He hadn’t told me.

The fact itself didn’t surprise me, but the realization still sent a faint, almost imperceptible tightness through my chest.

Since the last banquet and tech exhibition, Camille’s presence in high–society circles had grown noticeably stronger. When she appeared beside Archer, the surrounding gazes instinctively gravitated toward her.

Whispers rippled through the crowd like waves, spreading quickly.

“Her outfit tonight rivals the one Alpha Archer had made for her last time, doesn’t it?”

“It’s by Imse–the designer who’s been semi–retired for nearly a decade, producing only three gowns a year.”

“Each one costs over ten million.”

“Just these two appearances alone… the amount Alpha Archer has spent on her must be astronomical.”

The murmurs weren’t loud, but they felt like fine silver sand, grinding relentlessly against the nerves.

Camille wore a blue satin gown, its hem flowing like water beneath the lights. Diamonds and gemstones traced her neckline and wrists, boldly proclaiming her favored status.

Already striking by nature, she now seemed deliberately placed in the spotlight.

Without question, she was the most captivating presence in the room tonight.

Front–row seats symbolized status and influence. Amid gazes filled with envy and admiration alike, she and Archer took their places at the very center of the front row.

In that instant, I could distinctly feel the air thicken with the overwhelming aura of a top–tier Alpha, silently staking his claim

A low murmur of astonishment spread through the crowd.

“Front row center…”

“That means they’re planning to bid big tonight.”

“Comparisons like this are just infuriating.”

Gillian leaned closer, her voice edged with unmistakable bitterness. “They get front row, and we’re stuck with back row tickets

I didn’t respond.

Archer favoring Camille over me was hardly news.

Besides, I had come tonight for another reason. The seating arrangement meant little to me.

I only wanted to choose a birthday gift for my grandmother–nothing more.

Gillian muttered again, “Does he even know where we’re sitting? He hasn’t looked this way once

Chapter 24

+30 Born

Perhaps he didn’t know.

Or perhaps he did and simply didn’t care.

To me, there was no real difference between the two.

After all, whether at the banquet Elmer once took me to or at that tech exhibition, Archer had never truly fixed his gaze on me.

My thoughts had barely settled when the host stepped onto the stage. Spotlights converged, and the hall quickly fell silent.

I had already reviewed tonight’s auction catalog. Among the items, an emerald jewelry set and a renowned painting had truly caught my interest. Which one I ultimately bid on would depend on how the bidding unfolded.

The auction began swiftly.

For items that weren’t on my list, I didn’t even raise my paddle.

Up front, Archer and Camille remained silent as well–until a diamond bracelet was presented.

Starting bid: one and a half million.

Camille raised her paddle. “Three million.”

Another bidder followed. “Four million.”

I noticed her lean slightly toward Archer, whispering something to him. The gesture was completely natural, intimate–as if she had long been accustomed to seeking his approval.

The next moment, she raised her paddle again.

“Eight million.”

Her voice was clear and unwavering.

The entire hall fell silent for a heartbeat before hushed gasps followed.

The bracelet’s design was exquisite, but even at four million, its intrinsic value had already been inflated–let alone eight million.

This was a number offered with no regard for return, meant purely as a statement.

A statement of I want it.

And a statement of I have someone backing me.

No one else bid.

The gavel fell.

Camille got what she wanted.

Gillian gritted her teeth and muttered, “My jaw hurts from clenching.”

I didn’t reply.

The next item was quickly brought to the podium.

An antique vase.

Starting bid: five million.

Camille raised her paddle again, her tone even more decisive this time. “Ten million.”

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Chapter 84

+30 Bare

The number of bidders visibly thinned.

But in a true collector’s arena, there was never a shortage of well–funded competitors.

Soon, a young, clear male voice cut in. “Fifteen million.”

I turned toward the sound.

The man appeared relatively young, with sharp features and a commanding presence.

“Alpha Evander Dean,” Gillian whispered.

I nodded.

Camille hesitated.

She turned to Archer.

In that moment, I was almost certain-

This was something she genuinely wanted for herself.

And just then, Camille’s grandmother came to mind. She had always been passionate about collecting antiques.

The thought flickered through me like a faint electric current.

Archer nodded.

Camille lifted her paddle again. “Twenty–five million.”

Evander smiled, his tone relaxed. “Thirty million.”

Camille frowned and leaned toward Archer again, clearly whispering something. Hesitation was written all over her face.

But Archer shook his head.

Camille took a steadying breath and raised her paddle once more. “Forty million.”

Evander responded immediately. “Fifty million.”

After speaking, his gaze swept across the crowd, briefly and subtly drifting toward the front row.

It wasn’t a challenge–more like confirmation.

Camille finally furrowed her brow and whispered to Archer. It seemed that she was confirming with Archer whether they should stop or not.

Fifty million was already far beyond the bounds of reason.

Silence settled over the hall as every eye fixed on the silent, imposing figure seated at the center of the front row.

And in that moment, I understood with perfect clarity-

This auction had long since ceased to be about a vase.