Chapter34 She's A Mistress?
The spotlight hit the necklace, which shimmered brilliantly, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.
Ariana’s eyes were glued to it.
The bidding started at ten million and quickly climbed to fifteen million.
Harrison raised his paddle: "Sixteen million."
The price was called out a few more times, and Harrison stayed stubbornly in the chase.
When the price reached twenty-three million, Ariana, slightly surprised, gently tugged at his sleeve and said considerately, "Harrison, that’s too high. Maybe we should just let it go?"
"It’s fine," Harrison patted her hand reassuringly. "If you like it, it’s worth it."
Just as he thought the necklace was his, a cool, clear male voice suddenly came from one of the private boxes on the second floor.
"Twenty-five million."
A collective gasp went through the room!
Harrison’s face immediately fell.
He gritted his teeth and raised his paddle again: "Twenty-six million!"
"Thirty million."
The voice from the second floor remained calm and unruffled, as if the number meant nothing to him.
Thirty million!
When that price was announced, the entire hall fell silent.
Harrison’s brows were tightly furrowed. The necklace had far exceeded his budget. To continue bidding would be pure spite.
Ariana seized the moment to speak again, her tone carrying a hint of grievance and understanding: "Harrison, the price is too high. We don't need it. I don’t want you to spend that much money for me."
Harrison used this as an excuse, his face dark as he put down his numbered paddle.
Ultimately, with the auctioneer’s final gavel strike, the necklace was sold for thirty million to the mysterious buyer on the second floor.
Soon, the necklace was respectfully delivered to Box Number Two on a velvet tray by a waiter.
Clifton motioned for the waiter to place the item in front of Miranda, then looked at her and asked in a low voice, "Do you like it?"
Miranda's gaze rested on the open velvet box.
Under the light, the necklace was breathtakingly beautiful.
The intricate platinum was designed in the shape of lacy waves, surrounding the immense central sapphire. The gemstone’s perfect cut reflected a deep, dazzling brilliance.
The delicate sweetness of the lace skillfully balanced the formality of the precious stone, giving the piece an ethereal, fairy-like quality.
She looked up, meeting Clifton’s expectant gaze, and nodded seriously.
"It’s beautiful."
Receiving her affirmation, Clifton’s lips curved slightly. He reached for the necklace in the velvet box and moved behind Miranda.
The moment the cool platinum chain touched her skin, Miranda instinctively flinched.
The man’s fingertips, rough with calluses, accidentally brushed her collarbone. The warm sensation made her heart leap, and she missed a beat of breathing.
He was very close, close enough for her to smell his clean, pleasant woody scent mixed with a faint hint of tobacco, which felt intensely invasive.
Click. The necklace clasp was fastened.
Clifton didn’t immediately step back. Instead, he braced his hands on the arms of her chair, completely enclosing her in his embrace. His deep voice resonated near her ear: "Don’t take it off."
Miranda felt uneasy: "It’s too expensive."
"It’s perfect for Grandpa to see when we get back," Clifton countered with an undeniable reason, stopping her protest. "He’ll be happy."
When Grandpa was mentioned, Miranda stopped arguing.
Clifton was satisfied, looking at the woman in the mirror. The enormous sapphire glowed faintly, as if the deep sea and the stars were condensed within it. It made her collarbones look even more delicate and gave her an air of breathtaking beauty.
Downstairs, the auction was drawing to a close.
Clifton checked the time and told Miranda, "The auction is over. I’m going to settle the payment with the waiter. You go wait for me in the car."
Miranda smiled and nodded: "Okay."
She picked up her skirt and walked out of the box alone.
The staircase leading from the second floor to the main hall was covered in thick red carpet, muffling her footsteps completely.
However, just as she reached the corner of the stairs, two familiar figures walked up from below, causing an unexpected collision.
Harrison and Ariana.
The moment Ariana looked up, her expression rapidly changed.
Shock, bewilderment, and then an almost unconcealed envy.
How could Miranda be here?
And it looked like she was coming down from a VIP box on the second floor!
The intense jealousy had just flared up in her heart when Ariana’s eyes were suddenly drawn to what was around Miranda’s neck—
It was the "Heart of the Ocean," the necklace she had coveted, only to watch helplessly as someone else won it.
How was it around Miranda’s neck?
Ariana’s voice was so shrill it was barely recognizable: "Miranda? What are you doing here?"
Miranda also frowned when she saw them. Hearing the accusation, she found it ridiculous.
She calmly looked at Ariana’s face, which was twisted with jealousy, and coolly countered: "What’s the matter? Is this auction your family's event, and only you’re allowed to come?"
"You!" Ariana was momentarily choked, then she stared hard at the necklace on Miranda’s neck, pressing the point spitefully: "The man who bought this necklace on the second floor was a man. How is it on your neck?"
Miranda unconsciously raised her hand, her fingertips lightly brushing the cool sapphire center stone, but she didn’t answer.
The more she acted composed and nonchalant, the more the fire of jealousy burned in Ariana’s heart.
That wretched woman. Could she have latched onto some rich big shot?
A thought flashed through her mind. Ariana quickly scanned the area behind Miranda but didn't see anyone accompanying her.
Did the man not come down with her?
Could it be... she's a mistress who has to stay hidden?
Once this idea surfaced, it grew wildly like a vine in Ariana’s mind.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that her guess was correct!
Otherwise, how could she explain being in a second-floor box? And how could she explain a man splurging thirty million on a necklace for her, yet not daring to show his face?
"Cousin," Ariana raised her voice a few degrees, feigning surprise as if she had discovered a huge secret, drawing curious glances from passing guests.
"Why won’t you answer? Could it be... could it be that you sold yourself just to get that man to buy you this necklace?"
At those words, even Harrison’s expression changed.
His gaze fell on Miranda, his throat tight.
Miranda tonight was stunningly beautiful.
The long gown perfectly outlined her figure, and her cool demeanor carried an unconscious touch of allure that made her fatally tempting to any man.
The thirty-million-dollar necklace around her neck only enhanced her untouchable beauty.
Would the man who bought the necklace give such an expensive item to a newly divorced woman for no reason?
Thinking this, Harrison was instantly convinced that what Ariana said was the truth.
Anger and an inexplicable sense of humiliation welled up inside him.
"Miranda!" he harshly demanded. "Even if you’re short on cash, don't tell me you've fallen so low as to throw yourself at a man just for a necklace? You’ve completely disgraced the Lancaster name!"