Delete My Love for You novel Chapter 178

Retract the auction item?

A wave of shocked murmurs swept through the room.

Anyone could see that Ms. Shirley was caught in a dilemma—she didn’t want to offend the Harringtons, nor did she wish to cross the Fairchild family. So, after weighing her options, she made the painful decision to walk away from the easy hundred million and withdraw from the bidding.

This was the first time anyone had dared to challenge Darren—and, against all odds, it ended in a draw.

Still, Darren had already secured every other prized item before this. The barest hint of a victor’s smile tugged at his lips; his goal was achieved.

“Mr. Fairchild, my apologies,” Darren said smoothly, “but it looks like you’ll be leaving empty-handed tonight.”

Before Bradley could respond, Charlotte lifted her gaze, her words openly defending her husband. “Not exactly empty-handed. If it weren’t for this auction, I’d never have realized just how impressive my husband truly is.”

“Husband?!”

The word cracked through the hall like thunder. Guests close by gasped first. “Did I hear that right? Bradley’s married? And his wife is Lottie?”

Every eye in the room swung toward Bradley, waiting for confirmation.

Bradley rose to his feet, meeting the crowd’s stares with calm certainty. “That’s right,” he said clearly. “Ms. Lee is my wife. Tonight, I bid on the Haimo Blue because I want to have a one-of-a-kind wedding ring made for her.”

A collective gasp, then a wave of excitement swept the press. Camera shutters clicked madly while someone called out, “Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild, this is just too sweet!”

“Ms. Lee’s a genius in the gaming world, Mr. Fairchild’s a titan in science—now that’s what I call a match made in heaven!”

“First Mr. and Mrs. Harrington’s big reveal, now the Fairchilds’—this auction’s worth every penny!”

Admiring voices and cheerful praise rippled through the crowd.

Charlotte was momentarily stunned. From a simple welcome gift on her first day at work, Bradley had just leapfrogged to a wedding ring?

He extended his hand, voice smooth but laced with veiled barbs. “Once upon a time, a king set fires across his land, all to win a woman’s smile. Today, Mr. Fairchild outshines us all—burning through fortunes for the sake of love. Truly, I’m impressed.”

A king who lost his kingdom for a woman’s amusement—a pointed comparison.

Bradley shook Darren’s hand with an easy smile. “It takes a man of singular nerve to light nine lanterns in a single night, Mr. Harrington. Compared to that, my little gesture hardly counts.”

With that, he deftly turned Darren’s attack right back on him.

Their hands tightened in a subtle contest of strength, but outwardly, both men wore polite, insincere smiles.

Just then, Xena turned to Charlotte, beaming. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness—and a baby on the way soon.”

The last phrase made Charlotte’s eyes narrow ever so slightly.

Suddenly, Xena covered her mouth in exaggerated surprise, raising her voice. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Mrs. Fairchild—I almost forgot. You… you can’t have children, can you?”