When the Dead Still Call novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 The Bidding War

What’s wrong with rich socialites doing something good for once?

The second item up for auction was a sapphire bracelet.

Demi’s eyes lit up. “Amelia, what do you think of this one?”

Finished

Amelia took a closer look and nodded slightly. “The texture’s smooth and glossy. The quality’s pretty good, though there are some tiny streaks inside the stone. Most people wouldn’t notice them with the naked eye.”

“Perfect! I’ll buy it for my mom. Her birthday’s coming up.” Demi beamed with excitement.

Finally, she’d found something worth bidding on.

With Amelia around, she didn’t have to worry about buying a fake.

She raised her paddle and called out brightly, “Five hundred thousand!”

No one else joined the bidding. Everyone thought the bracelet wasn’t worth that much.

Demi’s budget was around a million. She was happy to have gotten it at half the price.

Gianna and Belinda exchanged mocking glances. Isn’t Amelia supposed to be the big expert?

Why is she suddenly so quiet?

Hmph. I know it.

Amelia was throwing random guesses earlier. She knew nothing about jewelry.

The final and main auction piece was a ruby necklace. As soon as the auctioneer announced the starting bid of 500 thousand, Gianna immediately raised her paddle.

She’d come tonight for that necklace.

Amelia gave it a brief glance, then calmly raised her paddle too. “Six hundred thousand.”

Gianna’s face tightened. Amelia competing with her made her panic. “Eight hundred thousand!”

She didn’t even think about how much money she actually had.

The family had been going through financial trouble lately, and her allowance had been cut.

She had begged her brothers for money just to attend this charity gala.

Her total budget was less than one million.

Amelia noticed how nervous Gianna looked and smiled faintly, her tone light but sharp. “One million.”

Gianna’s hand trembled, her face turning pale.

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10:51 pm GPP

Chapter 53 The Bidding War

finished

That witch! She’s doing this just to spite me!

Grinding her teeth, Gianna forced herself to shout, “One million one hundred thousand!”

Amelia didn’t even flinch. Her voice stayed calm, as if she were talking about the weather. “One million three hundred thousand.”

The crowd gasped.

That price was high for the necklace’s real value.

Gianna’s fingers dug into her palms so hard they almost drew blood. Sweat rolled down her forehead.

Chapter 53 The Bidding Wat

Gianna’s body shook with anger.

Finished

Amelia gave her a calm, mocking smile. “Come on, this is a charity auction. Donating a little money is a good thing, right? Though I must admit–1.5 million is quite a generous act of kindness”

“Y–you witch!” Gianna’s chest heaved in fury, her face flushed red.

“Shh!” Amelia put a finger to her lips. “Everyone’s watching. Don’t you care about your family reputation?”

With that, she turned elegantly and walked away under the astonished gazes of everyone in the room.

Gianna stood frozen in place like a fool while the crowd whispered and pointed at her.

Demi quickly followed Amelia, whispering, “Amelia, that necklace was really fake?”

Amelia smiled. “Of course. But she wanted it so badly, I let her have it. I was planning to donate anyway. She just took my spot.”

Demi’s eyes widened in realization. “So you knew it was fake and purposely bid it up to embarrass her?”

Amelia didn’t answer, but the cold glint in her eyes said everything.

Gianna had it coming.

Demi stifled a laugh. “Did you see her face? All twisted!”

Meanwhile, the auction staff returned and spoke politely but firmly, “Ms. Gianna, please proceed with your payment.”

Gianna’s face turned ghastly white.

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