NovelBookOften, the person who falls in love first ends up at a disadvantage.
"80 million."
Someone, not one of the people I'd bribed, upped the ante by ten million right on top of Kate's bid. | glanced
around, trying to spot any of my plants.
For the items leading up to Kate's, I'd paid off a few bidders to drive up the prices, making her dig deeper into
her pockets.
"Claude," she began, a hint of worry in her voice, "they're driving up the price, I..."
"100 million." Claude didn't respond directly, but his actions spoke volumes. He was willing to drop a cool
hundred million for Kate, for that particular item. But then, someone from the VIP lounge upstairs threw down a
bombshell bid of 200 million.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
"Could it be that person from the Hilton clan?"
| looked up, questioning. The Hilton clan? Max had just left; could there really be another player from the Hilton
powerhouse?
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
"Kate, if you like the design, we can find another one."
Claude didn't continue the bidding war. Was he really that wary of the Hilton clan's heavyweight?
Was he that intimidated by his uncle?
"Claude, but | really like it. Is it because the black card is with Claire? Can you talk to Claire and get it back to
buy this crown? You promisedthe most spectacular wedding." | overheard them from behind.
Claude glanced my way.
| took out the black card, gesturing that | was about to return it to him.
But in this lifetime, he refused Kate. "The black card is Claire's now. As for the crown, it seems my uncle is set on
having it. I have no reason to compete with him."
Kate pressed her lips together, eventually managing a compliant, "Okay, I've already got a lot today. Let's forget
the crown."
In the end, the crown went to the Hilton clan.
And | kept the black card, which seemed to burn in my hand.
As the auction wrapped up, | left the venue, feeling somewhat lost. This version of Claude was an enigma to me,
truly incomprehensible.
He was thwarting my plans for revenge.
Yet, in the past life, everything had turned sour because of him.
When | got back to my apartment, ran into Max leaving. | managed a weak smile and entered my place without
wanting to ponder further.
Who was Max, really?
Did Claude love me?
This life was filled with too many mysteries.
Ding-dong-
The doorbell rang.
At this hour, it had to be Claude, probably upset | had left without a word.
But when | opened the door, it was a delivery person from the auction house, handing over the items won on my
behalf.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Several were bids made by Kate without consulting me.
"Ms. Floyd, this was won by Mr. Hart for you. He askedto deliver it to your apartment."
| nodded, accepting the items without unwrapping them.
Mocking myself, | had just been wondering about Claude's feelings forIf he truly cared, he wouldn't have
sent a delivery person; he'd
have chimself.
It was proof enough he didn't love me.
Maybe him givingthe black card was his way of tellingthat without him, I'd lose all my status
and wealth, and be left to wallow in the mud.
Lost in these thoughts, Kate's call cthrough, on speaker: "Claire, | got carried away today, I'm sorry. Could
we meet up today?"
Before | could answer, | heard Claude's voice in the background: "Kate, the towel?"
Rushing to apologize, Kate added, "Claire, Claude's taking a shower. I'll bring him a towel, and let's grab coffee
tomorrow, okay?" Claude was already spending the night there, apparently close enough to share showers.
What was | still hesitating for?
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
