The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 147

Nora didn't bother defending herself. She was long used to Giselle's manipulative tactics.

She simply turned a page in her catalog, focusing her attention entirely on the upcoming lots.

The auction officially began.

The auctioneer took the stage, introducing each item with electric enthusiasm. After the first dozen lots successfully sold, the atmosphere in the room grew heated.

"Next up is lot number fifteen."

The auctioneer gestured to the massive high-definition screen behind him. "This is an eleven-pound, partially exposed rough jadeite stone. As you can see, a large window has been cut into it. The color revealed is absolute Imperial Emerald Jadeite—flawlessly translucent, with an ancient origin and exceptionally fine texture."

"If this block yields solid green bangles, its value will be immeasurable. Bidding starts at two million dollars. Increments of no less than one hundred thousand."

High-resolution photos displayed the raw stone from every angle. Under the harsh glare of a flashlight, the green in the exposed window was breathtakingly vivid.

Nora studied the images intently. This stone was the exact reason she had come today.

She picked up her paddle and raised it high.

"Two million, one hundred thousand."

Nora's crisp voice cut through the quiet auction hall.

The auctioneer immediately pointed in her direction. "Two point one million to the lady in the back."

The words had barely left his mouth before Cassidy raised her paddle without a second of hesitation.

"Three million."

Cassidy threw down nearly a million-dollar jump, her tone thick with provocation.

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Such a massive leap in price meant the bidder was either desperate for the piece, or deliberately targeting someone.

Nora glanced at the back of Cassidy's head and lifted her paddle again.

"Three million, one hundred thousand."

Cassidy instantly countered. "Four million."

Nora kept her paddle up. "Four million, one hundred thousand."

Cassidy was furious. She felt Nora's minimum increments were a deliberate insult. Blinded by rage, Cassidy completely forgot the budget her father had given her and spat out an astronomical number.

"Fifteen million!"

Dead silence fell over the room. Everyone was stunned by the absolute insanity of the bid.

Cassidy turned around, a gloating smile on her face, and loudly mocked Nora.

"Keep going, Nora. Aren't you Mrs. Hayes? Don't tell me you can't even scrounge up fifteen million. We all know exactly where you stand in that family. If you can't afford it, just give up. Stop embarrassing yourself."

At the mention of her title, every head in the vicinity snapped toward Nora.

It was an open secret that Cassidy and Giselle were close friends. With Cassidy relentlessly gunning for Nora, anyone with half a brain could see this was a targeted hit job against Gideon's wife.

Whispers immediately tore through the crowd.

"So that's the unloved Mrs. Hayes."

"No wonder she's being targeted. Everyone knows the Quinns are close to the Hayes family, and Cassidy is practically sisters with Giselle. She's obviously here to settle a score for her friend."