Charlee leaned close to Bryson, her posture cautious as she whispered, "Is this the right way to hold the paddle?"
Helena's brow lifted with quiet challenge as she called out again, "Three million six hundred thousand."
"Three million six hundred and ten thousand," Charlee said without missing a beat.
The absurdity of the situation was impossible to ignore. No matter what Helena offered, Charlee always stepped neatly over it by exactly ten thousand, like she was doing it on purpose.
With a pleading look, Charlee turned to look at Helena as if she'd been deeply wronged. "Helena, I really need that emerald sculpture. You already have so many beautiful things. Could you please let me have this one? If the price gets any higher, I won't be able to afford it anymore."
Helena's lips curled in open amusement. "But isn't Bryson the one paying for it?"
Charlee's gaze dropped, and she pressed her teeth lightly against her lip. "He works so hard for what he earns. I don't want him spending too much on me. I want to save him some money."
How thoughtful. How perfectly innocent it sounded, as if she were doing Bryson a favor.
Round after round passed, until the auction price finally reached three million eight hundred thousand.
Something sharp and icy settled deeper in Helena's chest. She started to lift her paddle again, but Bryson moved faster, pushing her hand down to stop her.
"Helena, since Charlee says she truly needs it, just let her have it," he said.
Helena stared at him in disbelief. "What did you just say?"
"I already promised her a gift. This is the one she wants. Don't take it away from her," Bryson replied.
The moment he finished speaking, Helena felt something inside her drop straight into a frozen void.
Long before he ever married her, he had taken the time to dig through every detail of her past. He knew exactly what kind of history existed between her and Charlee.
Ever since childhood, the two of them had been unable to stand in the same space without tension twisting between them. The accident that killed her parents could easily be traced back to Charlee's indirect involvement.
She could hardly stand the sight of Charlee, and she was certain Bryson understood exactly what she felt about her.
Charlee would have never had the chance to set foot in this place if not for Bryson.
He was the reason Charlee dared to challenge her at all.
A bitter laugh slipped from Helena. "What if I refuse to give up on it?"
She lifted her paddle and called out, "Four million."
A heavy silence swept through the hall. All attention landed directly on them.
Noticing the tension, the auctioneer attempted to maintain order. "The lady with paddle number 7 bids four million. Any other offers?"
As the auctioneer repeated the question, Charlee's eyes brimmed with tears, as though she had suffered a terrible injustice. "Four million and ten thousand."
A chill settled into Helena's palm as she prepared to raise her paddle once more.
Suddenly, the manager of the auction house hurried over and spoke in a low, respectful tone. "Mrs. Davies, during our recent check, we discovered your account has been frozen. Is there another account you wish to use?"
That revelation struck Helena like a bolt of lightning.
She turned her gaze to Bryson, only to find him avoiding her gaze.
So he was behind this.
Ever since their wedding, their auction accounts had been connected, leaving him with the power to block her access at any moment.
All this trouble, just to make Charlee happy?
Charlee shot Helena a daring glance, the challenge clear in her eyes. "You've been spoiled with treasures since we were kids. Would it really hurt you to let me have this one thing without causing a scene?"
Did Helena truly believe she was still that meek woman she could so easily outmaneuver?
Now, they stood as equals. Their family's fortune was gone. And if Helena was free to fight for what she wanted, why couldn't she?
There was a time when every bit of their parents' affection was reserved for Helena. Now, with no one left to support Helena, she could finally take her on, fair and square.
All the things Helena had—her relationship, her social standing—she was determined to claim them someday.
With her account frozen, Helena couldn't bid for the item anymore.
Charlee's face gleamed with triumph as she called out, "Drop the gravel! Say the item is mine already!"
Just then, a voice came from a private box on the second floor. "Ten million."
The room paused in disbelief before bursting into chaos.
"Who was that? He raised the price so high!"
