Chapter 41
Cynthia had a bad feeling about today’s auction. It was like she could sense people staring at her from behind.
The seventh item on the block was coming up, and it was a big deal: an old–timey doctor’s book.
“This b
book was written by the Davis family–the legends of old–school healing–who vanished like a magic act
twenty years ago. When they were gone, so was their book, until today. Lucky us, one of their long–lost relatives wants to share the love with the medical world,” the auctioneer said, hyping it up. “We’re gonna start the bidding.
at 300 thousand dollars.” His voice echoed across the room.
No one made a peep.
Just as the auctioneer was about to call it quits, Cynthia threw her number into the ring.
“Okay, we got 300 thousand dollars from the lady.“”
Cynthia slowly put her number down. Liam shot her this confused look. Those old medical books were a puzzle without some serious know–how; they weren’t even collector’s items. So none of the business people had shown
interest.
“You’re into this?” Liam asked.
“The Davis family’s book’s got all these awesome remedies that could help a ton of people.”
“Can you understand it?”
“A little,” Cynthia said modestly, gesturing with her hand.
Hearing this, Liam looked at her with newfound respect. He thought, ‘Isn’t she from the sticks? Yet here she is, not only understanding old medical books but showing such generosity–something even the best educated daughters of prestigious families might lack.”
“300 thousand dollars, once. 300 thousand dollars, twice.”
The auctioneer was about to slam the gavel when another bid flew in.
“Okay, 400 thousand dollars from the lady.”
Cynthia turned, surprised, to see Yolanda waving her paddle defiantly at her. Cynthia was speechless but counterbid.
“450 thousand dollars to the lady in front.”
Before the auctioneer could catch his breath, another bid zapped in.
Chapter 41
“And now, 530 thousand dollars.”
Yolanda had a bone to pick with Cynthia, matching her every move. The price zoomed to 650 thousand dollars.
Cynthia pressed pause. She had 5 million in her purse and still wanted to snag the Crystal Snow Grass. With Yolanda playing the villain, there was no telling where this was heading. Cynthia didn’t want her collecting to mess with her plans. She dipped out of the race.
Yolanda cackled inside, so proud that the naive Cynthia wasn’t up to her level. She felt like a champ, tossing 650 thousand dollars around just for kicks. Now that Cynthia wanted this book more than anything, Yolanda planned to win the bid only to destroy it right in front of her–to slap Cynthia’s face with her own folly.
“And this gentleman just raised the bid. With such interest in the medical book, the future of our nation’s medical
development seems to be in good hands.” The auctioneer was over the moon on stage. Higher bids meant higher
commissions for him, after all.
Yolanda’s green–eyed monster came out full force when Liam jumped in. What drove her even more insane was what happened next. Liam waved the auctioneer over and whispered a few words.
“Mr. Liam Sullivan is dropping 3 million dollars,” announced the auctioneer.
The whole room buzzed with shock.
Everyone had seen the bidding war between Cynthia and Yolanda. With this gesture, Liam was unmistakably backing Cynthia, publicly humiliating Yolanda. All eyes were on Yolanda like spectators at a juicy drama.
Yolanda’s face was red as a beet, and her chest heaved visibly. Everyone was watching her, and she was stuck. If she bid now, she looked desperate; if she didn’t, she’d look like a loser. Today wasn’t a company gig; she only ha 6 million dollars to play with. Dropping 3 million dollars on some dusty book she couldn’t make heads or tails o That stung. But she couldn’t chicken out after talking such a big game.
In the end, her pride won out. ‘So what if Cynthia got the book–even at a high price? As long as I could stick it t her, that’s enough,‘ she mused.
“Sold for 3 million dollars,” the auctioneer said, slamming the hammer down.
One of the crew brought the book over to Liam’s spot. He took it and handed it straight to Cynthia, hoping for!
approval. He was all about getting his girl what she wanted.
Cynthia was amazed by that whopper of a bid. With that kind of cash on the line, her desire for the book coole
“Here, take it,” Liam said, smooth as ever. “Don’t sweat it–I can afford it.”
She grabbed the book gently, like it was the crown jewel or something. Then she leaned in, whispering, “You what you look like right now?”
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Chapter 41
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With her this close, smelling so good, Liam was all stirred up. He stole a quick kiss on her forehead, sighed happily,
and asked, “What?”
“A generous fool,” she teased.
At that, Liam raised an eyebrow in surprise and then let out a low chuckle. Affectionately, he flicked her forehead. ‘Oh well, what am I to do with the woman I’ve chosen? Just gotta spoil her, especially since she still seems to be making her mind up about me. I’d better tread carefully,‘ he pondered.
Yolanda, witnessing their intimate exchange, was fuming.
The auction moved on to the eighth item: a smart toilet.
The announcement set the place buzzing. “Who in the world would bring home a toilet from an auction? Who even donated this?” People were baffled.
Cynthia sat up straight, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“We’re starting the smart toilet at 300 thousand dollars,” said the auctioneer.
Cynthia didn’t miss a beat; she raised her paddle high.
“Okay, the young lady bids 300 thousand dollars,” called the auctioneer.
Her bid had everyone looking her way. ‘She obviously doesn’t come from a wealthy, high–class background and isn’t used to these fancy events. A toilet at a posh auction? She’s surely making Mr. Sullivan turn red,‘ they thought. High society was all about looking good, and everyone was waiting for Liam to blow up and dump this clueless
woman.
But contrary to expectations, not only did Liam stay cool, but he even handed her some candy from the table, his eyes full of adoration.
People just shook their heads. Even a man like Liam couldn’t resist a pretty face.
Cynthia waited, curious if Yolanda would stay down this round. She couldn’t help but kick herself a little for jumping in so fast.
“Okay, our young lady’s upping the ante to 500 thousand dollars.”
Cynthia raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
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