I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163

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George’s cool gaze swept over Lauren’s face. It carried a quiet dominance that seemed to weigh heavily on her. Then, he chuckled. “No need to be polite, Mr. Jamison. Whatever amount you bid, I’ll top it.”

Carter drew a deep breath.

Perhaps the rivalry between men sparked something in him. He declared, “150 million dollars!”

He raised the bid by 50 million dollars in one go.

The auctioneer hesitated. “Any higher?”

Without a flicker of hesitation, George said, “200 million dollars. Funded immediately.”

That meant that the money would be transferred the moment the auction ended, bypassing normal banking procedures.

Everyone in the auction house fell quiet.

200 million dollars at an auction wasn’t outrageous. But for a necklace whose historical value wasn’t even particularly rare…

Carter clenched his fists. If he wanted to raise the bid amount again, it would be in increments of 50

million dollars.

He gritted his teeth. “300 million dollars!”

Lauren gasped, both shocked and thrilled. “Carter…”

She couldn’t believe that he was willing to spend that much on her.

George’s voice was calm as he said, “400 million dollars.”

Carter narrowed his eyes. If he stopped now, it would be a form of surrender. He raised his voice. ” 500 million dollars!”

Just then, three sharp claps echoed. George turned around, smiling. “Congratulations, Mr. Jamison. You’ve won the treasure.”

Carter’s eyes stung. He realized that George had been deliberately driving up the price. That necklace wasn’t worth 500 million dollars at all.

The auctioneer instantly reacted. After three gavel strikes, he announced, “Congratulations to No. 250 for winning this necklace!”

As Rhea looked at George, a strange emotion fluttered inside her.

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Chapter 163

Once the necklace was taken away, George stood and led Rhea backstage.

By the time the auction ended, Carter went to swipe his card and collect the receipt.

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His eyes met Rhea’s, but the coldness in them was unmistakable. “You’re really something. You actually teamed up with him to hike the price on me?”

George lounged on the couch, puffing on a cigarette. “Thank you for your support, Mr. Jamison. Rhea made a hefty profit on her very first day as the owner of the auction house. This is a very promising start.”

Owner of the auction house?

Carter and the others stared at Rhea in disbelief.

Lauren was the first to speak. “She’s the owner? No way.”

That was downright unbelievable. Carter said, “Mr. Snider, there’s no need to put her name on your business for her sake. Your empire is vast. Don’t misplace your trust.”

He figured that George was just trying to bolster Rhea’s image.

George flicked the ash from his cigarette and only smiled.

At that moment, Colin said, “Ms. Ravelle is indeed the owner of our auction house. On behalf of the auction house, I thank you for your patronage and hope for your continued support.”

Peter’s expression froze. Even Sharon looked equally incredulous.

Even as Lauren stepped out of the auction house clutching the box with the 500–million–dollar necklace, she still hadn’t fully processed what had just happened.

She wasn’t the only one. Carter couldn’t believe it either.

It would make sense if George had given the auction house to Rhea, but he definitely wasn’t the

former owner.

So how did Rhea become the owner? From whom did she steal it?

Carter couldn’t make sense of it. He was beginning to realize just how many secrets Rhea held–so many that he was close to losing count.

“Carter…” Lauren noticed Carter’s expression.

However, he didn’t look at her. “I’m heading to the office. You should go home.”

“Carter, I didn’t even want this necklace that badly. I just…”

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Chapter 163

Carter closed his eyes.

The money didn’t matter. At that moment, his mind was full of Rhea.

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He wondered what she was hiding from him. Why, after leaving him, did it seem like her life was only getting better?

She claimed to love him, yet barely two days after the divorce, she was here in full splendor at an auction with George at her side.

Why didn’t she look sad at all? Or had her feelings for him never been real?