Chapter 90 Buy What She Wants for Her
Despite her inner turmoil, Olivia quickly pulled herself together.
She knew Daniel well enough to know he was up to something.
Her gaze grew even more suspicious as she looked at him.
A few seats away, Michael was also watching the exchange.
From where he sat, it looked like Olivia and Daniel were exchanging flirty glances.
A surge of anger welled up inside him.
When Olivia had asked for a divorce, she'd been so casual about it, probably because she had Daniel to fall back on. With someone to buy her whatever she wanted, she had the nerve to demand a clean break.
But now, they weren't even divorced yet!
Michael's eyes darkened, and he spoke in a cold tone, "One hundred and fifty million dollars."
The room erupted in gasps again.
He had just added another fifty million dollars?
And it was Michael who had spoken.
Were these two going head-to-head again?
And right in front of the wife and the mistress.
Olivia hadn't expected Michael to bid.
Was he stepping in because Sophia couldn't come up with the money?
Sophia looked overjoyed.
When Daniel had bid one hundred million dollars, it had been a clear insult.
But she couldn't match that price.
She hadn't expected Michael to step in and help her buy the necklace.
Her heart swelled with happiness, and she gazed at him with a mix of affection and gratitude.
Daniel hadn't expected Michael to bid either.
His intention had been to make Sophia spend some money, but now...
He thought back to how Olivia had had to swallow her pride and ask him for an advance on her dividends just to buy some herbs.
And here was Michael, casually throwing around one hundred and fifty million dollars to buy a necklace for his mistress.
Daniel's eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone turned cold, "One hundred and eighty million dollars!"
Michael's face darkened as he raised the bid, "Two hundred million dollars."
Daniel remained resolute, "Two hundred and thirty million dollars!"
Michael scowled and continued, "Two hundred and fifty million dollars..."
The room was in shock.
While everyone present could afford the price, the necklace simply wasn't worth that much.
Forty million dollars had already been a significant overbid; no one else was willing to go higher.
But now, the price had been driven up to several hundred million dollars by these two titans.
People couldn't help but wonder if the necklace would go even higher.
No one could doubt the wealth of the CEOs of the Wilson Group and the Johnson Group.
Everyone was eagerly watching, curious to see how far the two would go.
Then, something dramatic happened!
Daniel, who had seemed determined to keep bidding, suddenly broke into a mocking smile and said lazily, "Mr. Johnson, your business acumen is impressive, but your taste is questionable. Spending two hundred and fifty million dollars on an ordinary diamond? I must admit, I can't compete with that. It's all yours!"
Michael's brows furrowed, sensing something was off.
Sophia caught the veiled insult in Daniel's words.
An ordinary diamond? Who was he referring to?
He was implying that Michael had poor taste, but Sophia had been the one who wanted the necklace!
Was he insulting her or Michael?
Fuming, she couldn't help but retort, "Mr. Wilson, weren't you just as serious about bidding?"
Daniel replied nonchalantly, "I was just messing around. Olivia has high standards and wouldn't be interested in something so basic. I also think it's beneath her. Anyway, congrats, Ms. Brown. Mr. Johnson has generously bought you the necklace you wanted!"
Sophia was so angry she almost lost it.
Daniel was infuriating!
He had driven up the price maliciously, making Michael spend a fortune, and then belittled the necklace.
Her initial joy at Michael's support had vanished.
The necklace she had wanted now seemed repulsive.
Meanwhile, the auctioneer, eager to close the sale, quickly struck the gavel, "Congratulations to Mr. Johnson and Ms. Brown on winning the necklace."
Michael's face was grim, filled with the displeasure of being outmaneuvered.
Sophia couldn't muster a smile.
The guests, who had witnessed the entire spectacle, struggled to contain their laughter.
Who could have predicted things would turn out this way?
Daniel's blatant scheming was truly wicked!
Olivia felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
She knew Daniel had done it to get back at Michael for her sake.
But she wasn't as happy as she had expected.
For others, two hundred and fifty million dollars was nothing. But for her, Michael wouldn't give her a single penny.
How had she put up with Michael's stinginess for so long?
For the first time, Olivia felt she had been shortchanged.
The auction continued.
Several antiques were sold to various guests.
Neither Daniel nor Michael made any more bids.
Soon, the auction reached its midpoint.
The rare herb Andrew had mentioned was finally brought out.
The guests showed little interest, and there were almost no bids.
Olivia was delighted.
No competition meant she could spend less!
Daniel noticed and immediately bid, "Five million dollars."
Everyone turned to look at him, then glanced at Michael.
He had just been outmaneuvered by Daniel. Would he seize this chance for revenge?
Michael was still fuming.
Hearing Daniel's bid for the herb, he almost instinctively countered, "Eight million dollars."
The crowd was surprised.
He really bid?
Wasn't he afraid of being tricked again?
Michael wasn't.
The Wilson Group was venturing into pharmaceutical research, and the herb was clearly valuable. Daniel wouldn't be bidding just for fun.
Michael wasn't one to suffer losses. If anyone tried to outsmart him, he wouldn't let it slide.
But Olivia's face fell.
The herb was for Bianca.
Her budget was limited and couldn't withstand such bidding.
Sensing her distress, Daniel tapped the table reassuringly, then suddenly raised his hand, making a gesture.
The crowd gasped.
The gesture indicated he would outbid anyone by double.
"Mr. Wilson is impressive!"
"So handsome, I want to marry him!"
Many socialites were smitten by his boldness.
Olivia was stunned. She hadn't expected Daniel to do this.
Her heart was filled with both gratitude and sorrow.
He knew she desperately needed the herb for Bianca.
But how could she let him spend so much money for her?
Olivia bit her lip, avoiding Michael's gaze, and addressed the auctioneer, "You didn't mention the herb's benefits earlier. Could you elaborate?"
The auctioneer quickly responded, "Of course. This herb is used for treating psychological disorders and is highly effective when combined with other medications."
Olivia nodded, "Thank you. Please continue."