The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Keira had a budget of one hundred thousand, so snagging the bracelet for fifty thousand is an absolute steal.

From the other side of the table, Jade and Summer sneer. What happened to Tara’s big mouth? She was so arrogant just minutes ago, and now she is sitting there completely silent. They knew she was just throwing out wild guesses to ruin their night. She doesn’t actually know anything about appraisals.

The final item of the night is rolled onto the stage-a dazzling ruby necklace.

The auctioneer announces the starting bid at five hundred thousand dollars. Without missing a beat, Jade raises her paddle. She has been eyeing this necklace all night.

Tara glances at the screen, then lazily raises her paddle. “Six hundred thousand.”

Jade’s head snaps toward her, panic flashing in her eyes. “Eight hundred thousand!”

Jade is running entirely on spite and adrenaline, completely forgetting her bank balance. The Dennis family has been in turmoil lately, and her allowance has been severely slashed. She had to beg her brothers just to scrape together the million dollars she has in her account

tonight.

Seeing the panic setting in on Jade’s face, Tara’s smile deepens. “One million.”

Jade’s hand trembles violently, all the color draining from her face. This bitch is doing this on purpose!

Gritting her teeth, Jade forces her arm up. “One point one million!”

“One point three million,” Tara says smoothly, looking as if she is ordering a cup of coffee.

The room erupts into hushed gasps. The price has officially blown past the necklace’s actual

value.

Jade’s perfectly manicured nails dig painfully into her palms, breaking the skin. Cold sweat beads on her forehead. She looks at Summer for help, but her ‘best friend’ is staring at the ceiling, pretending not to notice.

“Do we have another bid from Ms. Jade?” the auctioneer asks, hyping the room.

Jade glares at Tara’s serene, mocking face. Pride takes over. “One point five million!”

She cannot lose to Tara. Not tonight. Not ever.

“One point five million going once! Going twice! Sold!”

The slam of the auction hammer echoes through the room. Jade exhales a shaky, massive

sigh of relief. She is completely broke, but at least the necklace is hers, and she put Tara in

1/2

14:13

Chapter 80

her place.

Tara stands up slowly, clapping her hands with slow, elegant precision. “Congratulations, Jade. That is quite the premium you paid for that piece.”

Jade lifts her chin, dripping with arrogance. “I guess you finally know when to back down. If you want, I might let you borrow it sometime.”

“I don’t make a habit of wearing fakes,” Tara smiles gently. “But since you clearly have a passion for them, it’s a perfect match.”

Jade frowns. “Fakes? What are you talking about?”

Before she can process the insult, a gala staff member rushes over with a credit card terminal. “Miss, please step this way to process your payment of one point five million dollars.”

Jade nods, reaching into her purse.

Tara leans in close, her voice a soft, venomous whisper. “By the way, I forgot to mention. That necklace is a total counterfeit. The ruby is lab-grown synthetic, and the chain is cheap gold-plating. If you don’t believe me, have it appraised before you pay.”

Jade freezes as if struck by lightning. She stares at Tara, her eyes bulging with pure, unadulterated hatred. “You set me up!”

Tara intentionally drove the price up to bankrupt her on a worthless piece of junk.

Jade’s entire body shakes uncontrollably.

“Look at the bright side,” Tara says cheerfully. “It’s for charity. You’re giving back to the community! Even if one point five million is a rather steep price for a gold-plated trinket.”

“You… you absolute bitch!” Jade gasps, clutching her chest as a sharp pain shoots through

her ribs.

“Shh,” Tara presses a finger to her lips, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Everyone is watching. Don’t embarrass the Dennis family any more than you already have.”

With a flawless pivot, Tara turns her back on her seething sister and walks out of the ballroom, leaving Jade standing in the center of the crowd, looking like an absolute fool as the elites point and laugh.