Save Myself From Desperation by Cara Agnes novel Chapter 158

The bidding for an ordinary bracelet soaring to 800 thousand dollars was beyond everyone's expectations.

It was all because of Ashley's fame that drove up the bracelet's value.

However, the soaring didn't stop there. After Kevin bid eight hundred thousand dollars, Patrick Roberts, a young man in the back left, raised his paddle. "Eight hundred and forty thousand dollars."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a glamorous lady bid. "Eight hundred and sixty thousand dollars."

Patrick, unwilling to back down, bid. "Nine hundred thousand dollars."

The host, noticing Patrick's frequent bids, playfully quipped. "It seems you have a special liking for this necklace, Mr. Roberts."

With a shy smile, Patrick replied, "My girlfriend likes Attelia, so I thought I'd try to win it for her."

Hearing this, the crowd laughed. "Patrick is always so caring towards his girlfriend, always remembering what she likes."

Joseph gave Ashley a thumbs up, impressed by her popularity.

Ashley looked back and saw a rather handsome young man, not yet thirty, blushing and scratching his head shyly as everyone praised him.

Joseph thought it would be a satisfying outcome if Patrick secured Ashley's bracelet for his girlfriend.

But the next second, he heard Kevin bid. "Nine hundred and forty thousand dollars."

Patrick seemed to struggle, only raising by ten thousand dollars. "Nine hundred and 50 thousand dollars."

Kevin bid again. "One million dollars."

He added 50 thousand dollars in one go, rounding up to an even a million dollars.

Then Patrick lacked the confidence to continue, and no one else in the hall bid either.

It was evident to everyone that Kevin was determined to claim Ashley's bracelet and appeared ready to keep bidding.

Joseph frowned in dissatisfaction and glanced at Valentin in the front row, only to see him sitting still, but he was motionless.

Joseph wondered why Valentin wasn't worried at all about Ashley's suitors.

Lester, since the beginning, had known everything without pointing it out. He leaned back in his chair, casually observing Ashley and Valentin.

Although Lester always felt that Ashley had been tricked by Valentin, now that she was married, he thought his priority should be to observe how Valentin behaved and see if he would treat Ashley well.

The auctioneer announced. "Ladies and gentlemen, the current bid by Mr. Franco is one million dollars. If no one else bids, then this bracelet of Ashley's will belong to Mr. Franco."

Hidden in the back row, Jessica watched this scene, seething with irritation.

She prepared a prized painting for auction, but no one bid, whereas Ashley's ordinary bracelet was going for one million dollars.

She couldn't help but feel unjustified.

Filled with jealousy and resentment, Jessica glared at Ashley's back, nearly ablaze.

"The current highest bid is one million dollars from Mr. Kevin. Are there any other bids?" the auctioneer asked again.

Joseph was on pins and needles, not wanting Ashley's bracelet to end up in Kevin's hands.

If it weren't for the fact that he owned Royal Entertainment and was Ashley's boss, making it inappropriate for him to bid, he would have raised his paddle long ago.

Ashley frowned, pondering whether or not to let Jaden...

Just then, her gaze met Valentin's. He was looking over with a tilted head.

His eyes were dark and deep, and when he gazed at her, there was an emotionless intensity.

Ashley's heart skipped a beat.

The next second, she saw him casually raise his sign and say in a casual tone, "Ten million dollars."

As he spoke with such ease, the auctioneer stood dumbfounded for a while, making sure he hadn't misheard.

He realized it was Valentin who had made the bid.

Incredulous, the auctioneer swallowed hard and swiftly turned towards Valentin.

All the other attendees directed their gaze toward the center of the first row, displaying uniform expressions of astonishment.

Valentin, who hadn't bid once throughout the event, had unexpectedly bid for Ashley's bracelet...

They wondered if Valentin also liked Ashley's bracelet...

And Valentin had instantly raised the price tenfold!

Kevin's face reddened slightly, and he shook his head. As a design director, he could never afford a price higher than 10 million dollars.

Ten million was his limit, but it was just a casual bid for Valentin.

Even if Kevin wanted to bid, he simply couldn't compete with Valentin.

The auction had reached a decisive moment, and the excitement was palpable. The host, his face aglow with excitement, announced. "I now declare that Mr. Kingsley officially wins Ashley's bracelet. Ashley, please come on stage and personally hand over the bracelet to Mr. Kingsley."

There was a burst of applause from the audience, many of whom were looking on with great interest.

Everyone was curious about Valentin's motive behind bidding for Ashley's bracelet.

As per the rules, Ashley was indeed supposed to go on stage and hand over the item to the winning bidder, just as Bryce had earlier handed over his antique to Brittany.

With a mischievous smile, Joseph teased, "Go ahead, Ashley. It's your turn!"

Miranda was utterly bewildered and excited beyond words, urging, "Ashley, you're about to interact with Mr. Kingsley. Go on! Don't be nervous!"

Ashley was speechless.

Bryce glanced at her and said gently, "I hear Mr. Kingsley is usually cold and distant, but since he bid on your bracelet, he probably won't be cold to you. Don't be nervous."

Ashley remained speechless.

The auctioneer stepped aside as they walked onto the stage, leaving the center stage to Ashley and Valentin.

Ashley sneakily glanced at Valentin, feeling a new and strange emotion. She never expected to share the stage with Valentin.

The auctioneer cracked a few jokes before asking with curiosity and a hint of anxiety, "We all know Ashley is not only Ash but also the famous Attelia. Mr. Kingsley, did you bid on Ashley's bracelet because you think she's talented due to these identities?"

Unaware of the true story, the audience perked up, eager to hear Valentin's response. They were extremely curious.

Ashley looked towards Valentin, guessing he would simply nod in agreement.

She thought the best response would be that he bid on her bracelet because he thought she was talented.

But then, Valentin slowly raised his eyebrows. In his deep, magnetic, sensually captivating tone, he said, "No, I just like Ashley. That's all."

Ashley was momentarily speechless, stunned.