Chapter 18
The auction started soon.
Several items came and went, but Charlotte showed no interest in bidding at all, because she had only one target—Lynn's jewelry piece.
Sabrina, who was sitting just one aisle away from her, also behaved unusually well, sitting quietly the whole time, as if she was just there to watch the show.
But Charlotte still couldn't relax, because she knew Sabrina all too well...
At that moment, the staff on stage finally revealed a butterfly-shaped gemstone brooch.
It really was Lynn's work!
Lynn had always loved butterflies. Her series of butterfly-inspired designs had gained international fame, and many society ladies took pride in owning pieces from her butterfly collection.
Excited, Charlotte was the first to raise her paddle: "Three million."
A small commotion rippled through the crowd.
The butterfly brooch had a starting price of two million, with minimum increments of one hundred thousand.
Charlotte's first bid was fifty percent higher than the starting price, which was quite unusual.
Some even suspected that Charlotte was attending an auction for the first time and didn't know the rules.
Sabrina watched Charlotte's eager expression and subtly curved her lips.
She turned to Alexander: "Alexander, didn't you say you'd organize an exhibition for my work? But I'm worried that since I'm still inexperienced, people will laugh at me."
Alexander had been studying Charlotte with a puzzled look, but when he heard Sabrina's voice, he immediately turned his head, his expression becoming serious: "With me here, who would dare laugh at you?"
But Sabrina looked upset: "They'll mock me behind my back, though."
"So I was thinking, if we could get this brooch, I could display it at my design exhibition."
After listening, Alexander only hesitated briefly before raising his paddle without hesitation: "Four million!"
Another commotion swept through the crowd.
Although this gemstone brooch was the work of the late famous designer Lynn, its actual value hadn't reached the point of causing a bidding frenzy. Yet these two were both raising the price by a million at a time—could there be some unknown story behind this jewelry?
Someone recognized Alexander: "So it's Mr. Forbes from the Forbes Group, no wonder."
"Right, I heard Mrs. Forbes is Lynn's daughter. Looks like Mr. Forbes is really willing to spend for Mrs. Forbes."
"Is the woman sitting next to Mr. Forbes Mrs. Forbes? She's really beautiful, no wonder Mr. Forbes dotes on her so much."
...
Hearing the whispered conversations, a trace of anger finally appeared on Alexander's handsome face, and he looked worriedly at Sabrina beside him.
If Charlotte hadn't bid so aggressively from the start, how would others have paid such close attention to them?
And it made Sabrina so uncomfortable, too?
On the other side, Charlotte gave Alexander a cold glance...
Alexander knew full well this brooch was Lynn's work, yet he was still helping Sabrina target her.
Thinking of this, Charlotte raised her paddle again without hesitation: "Five million!"
This time, the crowd gasped.
For a piece of jewelry, this price was already astronomical.
Would Mr. Forbes raise the bid for Mrs. Forbes?
The crowd's question was immediately answered, as Alexander promptly raised his paddle: "I bid six million!"
This shocked not only the crowd, but even Charlotte hesitated a bit.
Although she really wanted to get Lynn's work back, apart from the million-plus that Alexander had transferred over the years, she only had the five million-plus that Lynn and the Talbot Family had left behind, plus the one million prize money from when she won the international competition gold award.
But there were still many expenses needed to set up the studio...
Charlotte bit her lip. She had just started to raise her paddle when she lowered it again.
Sabrina saw this and became even more pleased, yet she pretended to look concerned: "Charlotte, you should stop competing with Alexander."
"He's determined to get this brooch. You should just use that little money the Talbot Family left you to live a good life."
"You should worry about yourself"
Before Charlotte could respond, Jenna spat heavily at Sabrina and quickly pulled out her bank card: "Charlotte, I have another million here; you take it first."
Charlotte pushed it back: "No need, I still have some."
But Jenna stuffed it directly into her hand: "No matter what, we can't let your mother's things fall into the hands of someone like Sabrina. It disgusts me."
Charlotte's heart warmed.
But it was precisely because of this that she instantly made her choice—she absolutely couldn't let her own selfish desires put her friend and the studio at risk.
If she did that, Lynn wouldn't approve either, she was sure.
This brooch—she would definitely make Sabrina return it someday!
On stage, the auctioneer was calling out loudly: "Six million, second time!"
Hearing this, Sabrina shot Charlotte a triumphant glance.
The auctioneer called again: "Anyone else bidding? If not..."
Charlotte's heart sank!
This time, she had lost.
Just when everyone thought the brooch would go to Alexander, suddenly a lazy voice came from a dark corner: "Take the whole lot."
The brooch's ownership had certainly taken a dramatic turn.
Even Alexander was losing his composure... In River City, even the old wealthy families would give him face. Who on earth would dare openly oppose him!
Finally, following everyone's gaze, a noble and aloof figure slowly came into view.