novelxo Chapter 14
Jodie hated to be humiliated in public, but she could not retaliate because she was on Starlight Media's turf. They obviously could arrange things however they wanted, and if she continued making trouble, she would not be able to get an out. "Mommy, let's go." She no longer had the mood to explain, so she asked Melissa to leave with her. On the other hand, Amelie pursed her lips nonchalantly and acted as if nothing had happened. Not long after, Leo and Elyse came and took the seats right next to Amelie. "That woman... Isn't she Amelie?" Someone finally recognized Amelie and asked in a low voice. "Isn't she married to Young Master Leo? But why..." Even though Amelie had been living in seclusion for the past four years, the incident where she cleared up Elyse's cheating. She clarified the matter by telling everyone that she and Leo had separated peacefully and that Leo and Elyse were an item and were preparing to get married still more or less left a profound memory. The bystanders' eyes were wandering between Amelie, Leo, Elyse, and Blake, and they smelled the scent of gossip like sharks would scent blood. "Thank you for your concern, but Leo and I have already divorced," Amelie stood up to clarify in a poised manner. She did not want Blake to feel as if he was currently in a relationship with a married woman. Leo had always been expressionless, but he frowned, and his face darkened the moment he heard Amelie's clarification. He felt Amelie was showing off that she got another man just after a divorce. Amelie noticed Leo's facial expression, but she could not care less. Instead, she lowered her head and continued discussing the auction with Blake. The auction started soon after the interlude. As the auctioneer lifted the red cloth to reveal the final item, Elyse whispered to Leo, "Leo, I want that diamond tiara really bad." The diamond tiara was the most expensive item in the auction tonight, and Amelie had wanted it for a long time! She had always been obsessed with the dream of wearing a diamond tiara and holding a grand European wedding with the person she loved the most. Although this dream was shattered, her desire for a diamond tiara remained. When Elyse said she wanted the tiara, her eyes were actually fixated on Amelie, and she was wearing a provocative expression. Elyse must have noticed Amelie's expression when the diamond tiara was shown and wanted to snatch it away from Amelie. This Elyse... She had an affair with my husband. Now, she's having thoughts about the diamond tiara that I have always wanted. But, of course, Amelie would not give up so easily. So, when Elyse held the placard up, she followed suit. "8.1 million! 8.2 million!" The auctioneer continued announcing the latest bid price on the stage. The starting price of the tiara was already relatively high. So, it was expected that only Elyse and Amelie were doing their bidding. Well, the fact that the two were trying to bid on the same diamond tiara, coupled with how their relationships were entangled, the people around them started to feel as if a drama was brewing, and they all exchanged meaningful looks. All eyes were fixated on the two women as the price quickly soared to 20 million. Ding. There was a message notification on Amelie's phone. She looked down and was startled when she saw the number. It was Leo! How did he even know her new phone number? That was the strangest thing that could have happened. The message only had three words-'Don't overestimate yourself!' As always, his tone was indifferent and blunt. Obviously, he thought she lacked the capability to bid on the tiara, and therefore, he assumed her continuous bidding was purely out of spite. Let him be. He can think whatever he wants of me. Amelie raised her placard again. "40 million!" "Wow!" Everyone gasped for air when they heard the bid rose from 20 million to 40 million. Elyse, who had been bidding all the time, also slowly put down the placard knowing that the bid price was way too high. She had a pitiful expression on her face. Leo suddenly took Elyse's placard, raised it, and announced in a low magnetic voice, "45 million." As soon as he spoke, there was another gasp from the audience. 40 million was already a high amount, and someone still dared to raise the bid! Amelie also directed her attention to Leo. Oh, I see. So, now you want to help your most beloved lover because you feel that I am fighting her? I suppose this is true love-ensuring that the other person is being taken care of and not letting them suffer even a minor grievance. Did he want to protect Elyse? Well, it's okay. But she had no obligation to do so. Amelie raised the bid again, thinking of that. "50 million!" In the blink of an eye, the price reached 90 million because it increased by 5 million each time someone raised the bid! This price had far exceeded the value of the diamond tiara itself. "Miss Dillon, can I have a word?" Elyse stood up suddenly and continued, "I really like this tiara, and I want to wear it when I get married. I beg you, Miss Dillon. Give it to me... Stop bidding." Elyse looked sincere when she said that, and she did not forget to glance at Leo as if she was wronged and had to make concessions. Amelie pursed her lips. If she continued the bid, the others would definitely think that she could not move on from Leo and did not want Leo and Elyse to get married. Well, it was just a diamond tiara. As she arrived at that conclusion, Amelie suddenly felt there was no point in continuing the bid, so she placed the placard down readily. Besides, this wasn't the only tiara in existence. "90 million once. 90 million twice. 90 million thri-" "100 million!" Just when everyone thought that the tiara would belong to Elyse and Leo, someone from the crowd announced the latest bid price loud and clear.