Chapter 4
The next day, Rianne was discharged. When Ash drove over to pick her up, she ignored him completely and got into Julian’s car instead.
Julian was witty and humorous, trying to make Rianne laugh throughout the journey, but she couldn’t even force a smile.
“Rie, feeling down?” Julian asked gently. “There’s an auction today–let me take you.”
“Women need retail therapy when they’re sad. Once you’ve done enough shopping, you’ll feel better.
“At the auction house, just raise your paddle for whatever catches your eye. I’ll cover it all.”
Rianne glared at Julian, pouting irritably. “Acting so generous? Aren’t you spending Lockhart money anyway?”
She wouldn’t have cared before, but knowing the “secret” of her suitors made it hard to ignore now.
“Don’t underestimate me,” Julian laughed. “The Lockhart family doesn’t just have Ash as its genius. I’ve been investing overseas and made quite a fortune. Spend freely–big brother here can afford to spoil you.”
Rianne finally smiled. “Well, then I’ll have to really make you pay. Let’s go to that auction!”
The auction was bustling with socialites and celebrities.
Reportedly, the night’s most coveted item was a jewelry set called “Tears of the Ocean,” featuring the world’s largest blue diamond, freshly mined from South Africa.
Rianne, who loved the sea, was determined to have this set.
But just as she took her seat, Ash entered with Sophia.
Rianne’s smile instantly froze. She had a premonition that Sophia would compete with her for the “Tears of the Ocean.”
Sure enough, when the jewels were displayed, Sophia immediately raised her paddle.
But soon after, she noticed Rianne bidding too. After a moment of apparent inner conflict, she
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Billionaire Heiress Burns Seven Traitors in Epic Revenge
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Chapter 4
lowered her paddle, eyes brimming with tears.
“I didn’t realize you wanted the Tears of the Ocean too, sis,” Sophia forced a smile. “I’ll withdraw–I can’t compete for something you love.”
With that, she lowered her gaze, tears glistening, looking utterly pitiful.
Ash’s expression instantly darkened, and his gaze toward Rianne filled with disgust.
“Sophia, with me here, you don’t need to be so self–sacrificing,” Ash said. “If you want something, go for it. I’ll back you up.”
Without waiting for Sophia’s response, Ash raised his paddle: “One hundred million.”
The entire auction house fell silent, with many socialites gasping at the shocking figure.
Amid their surprise, gossip quickly spread.
“What’s going on? Isn’t Ash supposed to be Rianne’s fiancé? Why is he buying jewelry for another
woman?”
“And he’s bidding against Rianne for something she clearly wants. Isn’t that publicly humiliating
her?”
“Poor Rianne–an heiress being outbid by her own fiancé…”
Rianne silently clenched her fists. Raised in luxury by her doting father, she now found herself made a laughingstock by Ash.
Humiliation pressed down on her, and in a moment of fury, Rianne made the “sky’s the limit”
gesture.
Because nobody walks all over her!
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