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2.32% Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers! / Chapter 13: The Auction Showdown!

Chapter 13: The Auction Showdown!

Brianna glanced at the man not far away and smiled slightly. "I think Eric is good too. Don't worry, Mommy will keep an eye on him for you."

 

Hannah felt her anxiety ease at her mother's words. If her mom approved of Eric, she had a better chance of getting closer to him.

 

"Next up is the second auction item—the Aurora Diadem! Ladies and gentlemen, this crown was crafted by a renowned designer from Country Q..." The female host introduced the Aurora Diadem with a bright smile.

 

Ella watched intently, remembering how much she had loved it in her previous life and how she had begged Brianna to bid for it. However, this time, she wouldn't be so easily fooled.

 

"Ella, do you like the Aurora Diadem?" Brianna asked softly.

 

Ella nodded. "I do! Look at it—it's stunning! It exudes grandeur and elegance..."

 

"The starting bid is one million. Mrs. Davis, are you willing to bid for this crown for Ella?" Mrs. Taylor interjected coldly.

 

In her past life, Ella would have started begging at this point, but now she simply pressed her lips together and smiled, staring wistfully at the crown.

 

"Why wouldn't I? If Ella likes something and I can buy it, I'll get it for her. Isn't that right, Ella?" Brianna said with a gentle laugh, her eyes filled with doting affection.

 

Ella's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Mommy, you're so good to me!"

 

Mrs. Taylor's face tightened, but before she could speak, Ella gave her a reassuring look, filled with confidence. Mrs. Taylor hesitated and closed her mouth.

 

"Five million!"

 

"Seven million!"

 

"Ten million!"

 

The bids kept coming, showing just how much interest the Aurora Diadem garnered. Its allure lay in the exquisite rubies embedded in it, making it worth every penny.

 

"Ten million and five hundred thousand!" Brianna raised her paddle.

 

Ella felt a surge of joy. The cunning fox had taken the bait!

 

"Twelve million!" another woman countered defiantly, casting a critical glance at Brianna.

 

Brianna smiled calmly and raised her paddle again. "Thirteen million!"

 

"Fifteen million!" the woman continued to increase the price, glaring at Brianna.

 

Ella smiled faintly while Hannah secretly smirked, thinking Ella would surely fail this time, displeasing their father and making it easier for her and Brianna to get rid of Ella without repercussions.

 

Ella's eyes sparkled with a hint of light, but she remained silent.

 

"Fifteen and a half million!"

 

"Sixteen million!" Brianna raised her paddle once more, her confident smile indicating she was determined to win the Aurora Diadem.

 

The woman, Mrs. Wilson, a member of a prestigious literary family in S City and the wife of a painter, bit her lip. Her passion for luxury items was well-known.

 

"Sixteen and a half million!"

 

Gasps filled the room as Mrs. Wilson announced the price. Sixteen and a half million was indeed a steep price for the Aurora Diadem.

 

Brianna gritted her teeth, her face full of unwillingness. Ella timely whispered, "Mom, maybe we should let it go. It's too expensive!"

 

"No way! I must get it!" Brianna raised her paddle again. "Seventeen million!"

 

Mrs. Wilson's face flushed with anger as she glared at Brianna, refusing to give up the Aurora Diadem. "Seventeen and a half million!" she shouted.

 

Brianna shot Mrs. Wilson a fierce look and, as if to spite her, raised her bid. "Nineteen million!" Let's see if this woman still wants to compete!

 

Although Mrs. Wilson adored the Aurora Diadem, she knew she couldn't outbid Brianna. However, she didn't want to let Brianna win so easily and provocatively countered, "Nineteen and a half million!"

 

Brianna nearly ground her teeth to dust but couldn't back down now. She forced herself to continue, "Twenty million!"

 

Mrs. Wilson's goal was achieved. She gave Brianna a mocking glance and stopped bidding, delighted to see Brianna spend so much more money.

 

"Twenty million once, twenty million twice, twenty million thrice! Sold! The lady with paddle number 038, please proceed to the back to finalize the payment..." The host announced cheerfully, making a point to remind everyone.

 

Brianna sighed in relief and gave Mrs. Taylor a calm look. "As long as Ella likes it, I'm willing to buy it."

 

Mrs. Taylor's expression was complex, while Ella looked at Brianna with apparent confusion. "Mom, twenty million is too much. Why did you bid so high?"

 

"You like it, so I bought it for you," Brianna replied gently.

 

"Mom, I can't accept such an expensive crown. What if Dad scolds me?" Ella shook her head.

 

"Silly girl, your dad dotes on you. He won't scold you. Besides, I bought it for you. What are you afraid of?" Brianna laughed softly, her eyes full of motherly love.

 

Hannah felt a deep pang of jealousy. She was also Daddy's daughter, but why did this wretched woman always get the best things?

 

Twenty minutes later, Brianna emerged from the back, the auction almost over. Ella, Hannah, and Mrs. Taylor were waiting in the lounge.

 

Brianna entered, smiling brightly as she placed the royal blue box in front of Ella. "Ella, look, it's the Aurora Diadem, your favorite crown!"

 

Ella's eyes widened as she opened the box, revealing the dazzling crown nestled inside.

 

The surrounding ladies all looked at Ella with envy.

 

Having such a doting stepmother, indeed, life treated people differently!

 

Ella calmly closed the box and put it into her bag. After bidding farewell to Mrs. Taylor, she left with Brianna and Hannah.

 

As they exited the lounge, a handsome young man walked towards them, his hands in his pockets, looking leisurely. Two bodyguards followed him, one carrying a long box, evidently holding a painting.

 

Ella and Brianna left before the auction's final item was presented, so they didn't know what Eric had purchased.

 

Seeing Eric ahead, Hannah felt a surge of joy. She quickly stepped past Ella to stand in front of him. "Mr. Nelson, hello, I'm Hannah. It's a pleasure to meet you here!"

 

Hannah's forwardness made Brianna frown slightly. Her daughter was too impatient!

 

She hadn't figured out what kind of woman Eric liked, and Hannah's rash approach might be inappropriate.

 

Eric looked at Hannah with a playful smile on his lips. "Ella's sister?"

 

"Y-Yes!" Despite hearing the most disliked title, Hannah tried to maintain her smile.

 

"Mr. Nelson, you know my sister?" Hannah glanced at Ella in surprise.

 

"Of course, she's much more interesting than you. Isn't that right, Miss Ella?" Eric's words immediately darkened Hannah's face and made Brianna awkwardly tug at the corners of her mouth.

 

Ella felt the burning gaze on her and reluctantly lifted her head.

 

In her past life, she had only heard faint rumors about Eric, known to be sharp-tongued and cunning, so she never wanted to get involved with him.

But he always seemed to be lingering around her.


Chapter 14: Mutual Framing!

"Mr. Nelson, you must be joking!" Ella playfully blinked her eyes. Eric felt more amused; this girl was clearly putting on an innocent act for her malicious stepmother and hypocritical sister.

 

"I'm not joking. I'm interested in you, so tonight, I'm giving you this painting, Interwoven Light and Shadow," Eric said with a teasing smile, raising an eyebrow. With a wave of his hand, the bodyguard stepped forward and respectfully handed the long box to Ella.

 

Ella was taken aback, staring dumbfounded at Eric's smiling face.

 

What is this guy up to? He knows I need to be wary of Brianna, yet he's openly showing me favor in front of them. Isn't he just trying to make enemies for me?

 

"Oh my gosh! Interwoven Light and Shadow—isn't that the painting that was just auctioned for thirty million?"

 

"Yes, Mr. Nelson bought it for thirty million. I heard it's by a rising artist from Country S, even the President has met him!"

 

"That's amazing! To give away thirty million without a blink, does Mr. Nelson fancy Miss Davis?"

 

"The eldest Miss Davis is quite something, remember the charity gala? She stood up for her sister even after being beaten by the second miss!"

 

The surrounding ladies whispered among themselves, making Hannah's face turn red and white. She could hardly believe her eyes!

 

How could such a handsome, powerful man like Eric be interested in Ella, this skinny woman? Sure, Ella was pretty, but Hannah considered herself far superior!

 

"I'm sorry, Mr. Nelson. I can't accept such an expensive gift," Ella shook her head, lowering her eyes, not daring to look Eric in the eye.

 

Eric squinted slightly, this girl dared to reject him in public?

 

"Sis, how can you be so ungrateful? Mr. Nelson admires you, that's why he gave you this painting... Mr. Nelson, my sister is too stubborn, I'm really sorry, please don't blame her." Hannah quickly stepped forward, curving her beautiful lips. Any other man would have been tempted by her gentle voice and affectionate gaze.

 

But Eric merely glanced at her briefly. "Of course, I won't blame her. No matter how stubborn, I won't give the painting to you."

 

Everyone burst into laughter.

 

Hannah's face turned crimson with shame. Brianna quickly pulled her back a few steps. "Mr. Nelson, please don't mind, Hannah is still young and speaks without thinking..."

 

"Then Mrs. Davis should put in more effort. After all, you're her biological mother. As the saying goes, like mother, like daughter." Eric's lips curved into an enchanting smile.

 

"I... I will. Thank you, Mr. Nelson, for your advice!" Brianna's face turned the color of liver, awkwardly smiling in response.

 

"Girl, if you don't accept it, I'll have it sent to your villa anyway. If you have the guts, you can throw it away like trash," Eric turned to her, his deep eyes showing resolute determination.

 

Ella had no choice; outright refusal would offend him.

 

But accepting his gift would only make Brianna and Robert more wary of her.

 

"Then I won't be polite, thank you, Mr. Nelson." Ella accepted the box from the bodyguard with composure.

 

Immediately, all eyes were on Ella, their intense stares almost burning her.

 

This was a painting worth thirty million!

 

And the giver was the strikingly prominent Eric!

 

Everyone wondered why Eric was interested in a girl who had just come of age.

 

Eric raised an eyebrow in satisfaction. "That's the smart girl. Good, if you need anything, call me. Big brother has your back!"

 

With that, he left triumphantly.

 

Ella was speechless.

 

She hadn't agreed to anything, and now he was calling himself her big brother? What did she do to deserve such attention from him?

 

Hannah and Brianna were bleeding inside, but they had to hide it. Hannah, concealing the cold gleam in her eyes, took Ella's hand and they left together.

 

Back home, Ella had just opened the box in her bag when Robert returned from a business trip. Seeing the Aurora Diadem on the table, he was taken aback.

 

"Is this... the Aurora Diadem?"

 

The auction had been widely publicized, and as a businessman, Robert was naturally aware of such news. The Aurora Diadem was the highlight of the auction; how could he not recognize it?

 

"Yes, Daddy, it's the Aurora Diadem that Mommy won!" Ella said excitedly, smiling brightly.

 

Brianna and Hannah exchanged a knowing look, both smiling faintly, convinced that Ella was in for it this time.

 

"You bought this?"

 

"Yes, Ella said she liked it, so I bid for it." Brianna played the role of the dutiful wife and mother.

 

"Ella, what's going on? Why did you bid for such an expensive crown?" Robert struggled to contain his anger, not wanting to upset his daughter.

 

As a parent, it was normal for him to voice his concerns, and Robert didn't want to bottle up his frustration.

 

"Don't be angry, Ella rarely likes anything!" Brianna feigned concern, holding onto Robert's arm, her face full of smiles.

 

Hannah smiled slightly. "Daddy, sister has always favored such luxury items. Please don't be mad."

 

Her words, while seemingly defending Ella, subtly reminded Robert of Ella's supposed extravagance.

 

Ella shot Hannah a surprised and hurt look before turning slowly to Robert. "Daddy, how can you blame me? Mommy bought it! Mommy, I can't accept such an expensive crown!"

 

Brianna's face darkened. "Ella, you clearly said you liked it!"

 

Ella shook her head innocently. "Mommy, I did say I liked it, but I never asked you to bid on it! When the price reached sixteen and a half million, I told you to stop, but you didn't listen! If Daddy doesn't believe me, he can ask Mrs. Taylor, she was there too!"

 

"What? Sixteen and a half million?" Robert felt his blood pressure spike!

 

Growing up in poverty, Robert's life improved after marrying Ella's mother, thanks to the support from his wife's family, which helped him build Davis Group. For the past twenty years, Robert had poured his heart and soul into his work, striving for the company's future with all his might.

 

As a result, Robert was always frugal with daily expenses and hated unnecessary spending, especially on luxury items for the women in his family. And now, a crown for sixteen and a half million? How could he not be furious?

 

"Daddy, Mommy finally won it for twenty million. When she was bidding against Mrs. Wilson, I told her to stop... I never said I had to have it, Daddy, it's really not my fault..." Ella's eyes reddened as she looked at Robert, feeling wronged.

 

Robert's face grew darker, anger boiling over. He looked at Brianna, his voice low but menacing, "Twenty million!?"


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