Chapter 202

Chapter 202

Elise felt annoyed, "Why do I see you everywhere?"

Ever since Elise confirmed she was Amelia, she disliked Mia even more.

Amelia was married to Matthew, which meant Mia was the mistress. Maybe, just like Zander said, Amelia being kidnapped by traffickers had a lot to do with Mia!

So seeing Mia now made Elise furious, and she didn't give Mia any pleasant look.

Mia blinked and smiled, "I didn't want to come, but Matthew insisted I come with him! Actually, I don't like being in the spotlight. I prefer staying home doing housework, being a good wife and mother!"

"Mr. Moore asked you to come?" Elise glanced at Matthew, then looked at Mia and couldn't help but sneer, "This is the first time I've heard a mistress can be a good wife and mother! I really wonder, when you have kids, what will they learn from you? Learn to seduce other people's husbands and wreck their families? That's what you call being a good mother?"

Mia's eyes suddenly sharpened and her lips pressed tight, but she quickly relaxed and forced a smile, "Ms. Sinclair, you really have a sharp tongue. I admit I can't out-talk you! I wish you and Mr. Lawson a happy marriage and eternal happiness!"

Zander was about to respond politely when Elise snorted, "I don't accept blessings from a mistress!"

"You..." Mia clenched her fists.

Zander quickly tried to smooth things over, "Elise, the charity auction is about to start. Let's find a seat! Mrs. Moore, do as you please!"

Zander deliberately called Mia by that title, which made her beam with joy, "Mr. Lawson, after you!"

Zander took Elise's hand and found them seats.

Elise's eyes couldn't help drifting to Matthew's face.

Matthew's gaze met Elise's, then coldly looked away.

Mia walked over to Matthew with a seductive gait and smiled charmingly, "Matthew!"

Matthew frowned and asked distantly, "Why are you here?"

In his eyes there was no anger, no impatience, not even a ripple of emotion.

"I was bored at home, so I came out for a walk!" Mia said shamelessly.

Matthew didn't respond.

Mia wasn't satisfied and pressed on, "Matthew, are you okay? You seem so lonely!"

Matthew said sarcastically, "What identity are you using to attend this event today? I'm guessing it's Ms. Wilson, not the self-proclaimed Mrs. Moore, right?"

Mia blushed, her expression instantly awkward, "Of course it's Ms. Wilson!"

"That's good!" Matthew left Mia to talk to another friend.

Mia then noticed Elise looking their way with mockery in her eyes. Instantly embarrassed and angry, Mia grabbed a bottle of juice from a server's tray and gulped it down to cool her temper.

Soon, the event entered the charity auction phase.

A famous collector put up her favorite diamond necklace for auction to raise money for charity.

As soon as the necklace appeared, it caught everyone's attention.

This diamond necklace was valuable not just because the diamond was large, but because it had a slight flaw.

This flaw didn't lower the diamond's value—instead, it increased it! Because the flaw looked just like a teardrop, truly a work of nature!

The collector had bought the rough stone for around ten million dollars, and now the starting bid was forty million dollars!

Just this price scared off most of the guests!

Even Elise gasped when she heard the price, "It's too expensive, Zander. Don't spend unnecessary money!"

Zander squeezed Elise's hand and said gently, "This diamond necklace is perfect for you! Besides, does the Lawson family lack forty million dollars?"

"But..."

Elise wanted to persuade him not to bid, but Zander had already raised his hand, his voice calm and confident, "Forty-one million dollars!"

After a moment of silence, someone finally bid on the necklace. The collector had thought it might not sell today!

People looked over. Some recognized Zander, some didn't—after all, the Lawson family had just set up in Emerald City.

"Who is he? So rich! Forty million dollars seems like nothing to him!"

"Should be Zander, heir to the Lawson family!"

"The Zander who just settled in Emerald City? No wonder he's so wealthy!"

"Looks like no one's competing with him. The necklace is his!"

"Ocean's Tear would look perfect on Zander's girlfriend!"

The host looked around and announced loudly, "If no one else bids, I'm going to announce the winner of this necklace."

Zander patted Elise's hand, looking pleased, "See? That's power!"

He had just taken a step when Matthew's cool, deep voice came from the crowd, "Forty-five million dollars!"

The smile on Zander's face instantly froze, and he looked at Matthew with hostility.

Matthew had his hands in his pockets, chin slightly raised, corners of his mouth turned up, his expression cold yet defiant.

He hadn't wanted to bid on this necklace, but when he saw Zander and Elise holding hands, looking sweet and close, his heart ached.

Matthew and Zander locked eyes, both full of hostility.

"Matthew's in!"

"In all of Emerald City, only the Moore family can compete with the Lawson family!"

"In terms of wealth, they're evenly matched, but in terms of connections and resources in Emerald City, the Lawson family can't beat the Moore family!"

"Matthew's going up against Zander—this is fun!"

Seeing the two men face off, Elise felt uncomfortable and didn't know what to say.

"I was hoping Matthew would bid!" Zander decided to show Matthew up in front of Elise, and his face broke into a smile again, "Let's see who gets Ocean's Tear! Forty-six million dollars!"

Everyone's eyes turned to Matthew.

Matthew spoke calmly, his voice not loud but firm, "Forty-eight million dollars!"

Zander immediately countered, "Forty-nine million dollars!"

Matthew followed, "Fifty million dollars!"

Elise tugged at Zander's arm, pleading, "Zander, stop bidding. It's too expensive, and I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it!"

Zander stared at Matthew, his jawline tight, "I'm getting this necklace! What I want, Matthew won't get!"

Hearing this, Elise let go of Zander.

She knew these two men were no longer bidding for the necklace—they were bidding for her!

"Fifty-one million dollars!" Zander raised his voice, sounding slightly hoarse.

Matthew smiled slightly, "Fifty-five million dollars!"

Suddenly speeding up the pace, the guests were thrilled!

"At this rate, the necklace might break a hundred million dollars!"

"Let's see if Zander dares to keep going!"

"A hundred million dollars? Matthew wouldn't even blink!"

Sweat beaded on Zander's forehead, and his chin trembled.

Although the Lawson family was wealthy and matched the Moore family, he wasn't in charge yet. The assets were controlled by Parker, so he could only access a few tens of millions of dollars!

If it went over sixty million dollars, he'd have to ask Parker for permission, and knowing Parker's personality, he'd never approve spending so much on a necklace!

But Matthew was different!

After Nolan died, Matthew became the true master of the Moore family, controlling all its assets. If he wanted, he could pull out not just tens of millions, but hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars.