Chapter 63
Chapter 64 Driving Up the Price
Even so, she was still determined to have the calligraphy scroll.
Arabella kept raising her bid.
A
50
+10 Free Coins
Matthew showed no sign of backing down either. Just like that, the duel continued for several more minutes.
Meanwhile, other collectors and observers in the room watched the heated exchange between Suite One and Suite Seven with growing interest, murmuring among themselves.
“Who do you think will end up with that piece p>
“My money’s on Suite One p>
“I’m not so sure. The bidder in Seven has been focused on it from the start. I’d say they’re the more determined one p>
Listening to the chatter, Dylan tightened his grip on his glass.
He was fuming. He hadn’t won either lot he’d wanted. Now, in Harper’s eyes, he must seem completely ineffectual.
He couldn’t risk a clash with Horizon Corp, though. But who was in Suite Seven?
As the price neared the upper limit of her budget and Matthew showed no intention of stopping, Arabella had little choice–she placed one more bid, testing the waters.
“Suite Seven bids twenty–six million,” the auctioneer announced.
“Go higher,” Matthew said evenly.
Whenever the other party bid, he would simply top it. He was set on securing that scroll.
By now, Arabella was genuinely irritated. She had come today hoping to find a few select pieces, and Matthew was ruining it.
Two items she truly wanted had been snatched by him.
wanted
Now it looked like this scroll was going the same way.
“Twenty–seven million, going once… twice… sold!” the auctioneer declared.
1/4
18:11 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 64 Driving Up the Price
“Mr. Stewart, the calligraphy is ours,” Andy reported.
“Good p>
સામાન
3 50
+10 Free Coins
Fine, you can have it for now. Arabella thought unhappily, picking up her water glass and taking a small sip.
Running into a deep–pocketed spender like Matthew was just her luck.
Looking at the image of the scroll she had wanted for her grandfather, she could only sigh quietly.
Matthew … just you wait.
If she weren’t posing as Marla and needing to keep her cover, she would have marched straight to his suite and given him a piece of her mind.
“Next, our final lot of the day–Lucky Motif Blue–White Vase…
“Opening bid is fifteen million. Bidding is now open p>
“Twenty million,” Arabella bid outright.
“Twenty–one million,” Matthew countered, continuing to challenge her.
Several minutes later, the price had been driven up to forty million!
Arabella had assumed that if she pushed past market value, Matthew would stop. But no matter how high she went, he always bid just a little more.
It was infuriating.
Alright, Matthew. You really want to play this game?
Well, I’ll make you pay dearly for it today. An idea began to form in her mind.
Arabella deliberately inflated the bid, and sure enough, Matthew kept topping her.
She pushed it up to fifty–six million–then stopped.
“Fifty–six million, going once… twice… sold! The vase goes to Suite One p>
Hearing that Matthew had bought the vase at such an inflated price, a satisfied smile finally touched Arabella’s lips.
2/4
18:11 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 64 Driving Up the Price
80
+10 Free Coins
Let’s see what you do with that. At that price, reselling it for a profit would be nearly impossible. He’d have to keep it for his own collection.
When she saw the pieces he’d bought later, she’d have a good laugh at his expense–that would soothe her annoyance.
But Matthew couldn’t have cared less about the pieces themselves. All that mattered was that. these were the things Marla had wanted.
In Suite One, Andy said, “Mr. Stewart, all lots have been concluded p>
“What is Marla doing now?” Matthew wasn’t concerned with what he’d bought–only with Marla’s reaction.
“She doesn’t appear to have taken any further action,” Andy reported.
Matthew’s brow furrowed slightly. “Have everything we acquired delivered to her p>
He doubted Marla could remain unmoved after receiving the pieces–surely she would come to him then.
“Yes p>
Andy gathered the acquired items and made his way to Suite Seven.
In Suite Seven, Arabella was feeling somewhat deflated and was preparing to gather her things and leave.
Even though she’d made Matthew overspend, she hadn’t won anything for herself today. She couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
She had just picked up her bag when a knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” she said, looking toward the entrance.
The next moment, Andy entered, accompanied by several attendants carrying the auction. pieces.
“Ms. Marla, Mr. Stewart has asked that these be delivered to you,” Andy said, addressing her directly by that name this time.
Hearing Andy call her Marla, Arabella’s pulse quickened.
So her suspicion was correct.
3/4
18:11 Thu, Jan 15
Chapter 64 Driving Up the Price
$50
+10 Free Coins
He really did know the person in this suite was Marla–that was why the earlier invitation.
And if Andy knew, then Matthew knew too.
The realization sent another jolt through her.
Looking at the items she had wanted–now laid before her by Andy–Arabella’s mind raced.
What was Matthew actually after?
He had battled her for every piece, and now he was sending them all to her. What was his
game…
ļ
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.