CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: YOUNG MASTER GRANT KNOWS HOW TO CHERISH HIS WIFE

Strictly speaking, Eleanor Winslow and Adrian Grant weren’t exactly seated next to each other, as there was a seat between them. However, a slight turn of the head meant they could see each other.

Adrian Grant, with his long arms and legs, only needed to stretch slightly to touch Eleanor Winslow.

The auction proceeded in an orderly manner. Eleanor Winslow wasn’t interested in the items presented before them and seemed distracted, clearly feeling the intangible pressure coming from the right.

Feeling a bit irritated, she turned to glance at him.

As a result, the man was actually staring straight ahead and only noticed her gaze when she looked over.

The man slightly raised his eyebrows, seeming to ask: Do you need something?

Eleanor Winslow gritted her teeth, withdrew her gaze in annoyance, and refocused on the auction.

"Your soon-to-be ex-husband is looking at you." Blake Lockwood nudged Eleanor Winslow, whispering, "Mia Winslow is watching you both."

Upon hearing this, Eleanor Winslow turned her head without hesitation, looking past Adrian Grant towards Mia Winslow in the distance.

Perhaps the atmosphere around them was too strange, as Jude Winslow, who was initially engrossed in the auction, quickly shifted his attention back, glancing at his elder sister on the right and then his second sister on the left, appearing utterly confused.

"Next, please look at—Platinum Encrusted Emerald and Diamond Necklace!"

The auctioneer’s voice drew everyone’s attention to the stage, revealing the very emerald necklace that belonged to Eleanor Winslow’s mother, Melody Nash!

When the auctioneer mentioned the Sanskrit engravings on the platinum clasp, Eleanor Winslow gave Mia Winslow a mocking look.

With all the details matching, what more could she argue?

Mia Winslow looked straight ahead, pretending she hadn’t heard anything, as though she were merely an innocent buyer.

The bidding began.

The price soared from an estimated 6 million to 10.5 million.

People could see that Mia Winslow was determined to win it; given her deep connection with Adrian Grant, and the formidable Winslow Family, many decided against competing to avoid conflict.

In the end, only two remained in the bidding war.

"11 million." Mia Winslow confidently raised her paddle.

At this point, surely no one would contend with her; the price had entirely surpassed the estimate, and no one was foolish!

"12 million."

Following the voice, Mia Winslow saw a young man in a suit, wearing a Bluetooth headset, clearly a proxy bidder.

"Is there any bid higher than 12 million?" the auctioneer began to inquire.

"Big sister, why are you hesitating, raise your paddle!" Jude Winslow urged Mia Winslow.

Mia Winslow’s face was grim as she explained softly, "Jude, this price is already more than twice the estimated value; it’s not worth it!"

Originally, it was sold for only five million!

Most auctioned items overshoot their price, and she didn’t want to spend more for something belonging to Eleanor Winslow!

"But we promised to return Aunt Melody’s belongings to Eleanor!" Jude Winslow’s voice wasn’t low, causing several nearby bidders to catch the gossip and immediately turned their heads.

Oh, is there more to this story?!

The onlookers exchanged gossip-laden glances between the three Winslow siblings.

Eleanor Winslow calmly stared at Mia Winslow, as if in moral judgment: "Yes, sister, you sold my mother’s things with the promise to buy them back for me. So, what’s the issue now—is it that now you’ve pocketed the money, you can’t bear to buy it back?"

Mia Winslow nearly burst with anger—the money from selling and buying back couldn’t be equated!

"Who is Melody Nash?" someone quietly inquired.

A senior lady next to them answered, "The Winslow Family’s previous matriarch, Eleanor’s mother, and a wealthy Hong Kong native!"

Everyone present was shrewd, quickly surmising that with a stepmother came a stepfather, and Eleanor’s mother’s inheritance became the stepmother’s financial reservoir, a fact Eleanor discovered, forcing the Winslow Family to clean up the mess themselves.

"Hmph, can’t believe the Winslow Family can really do that!"

"Exactly!"

Mia Winslow gave Jude Winslow a fierce glare for being such a problematic fool!

Jude Winslow felt utterly wronged.

Did he say something wrong?

No, he didn’t!

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mia Winslow found herself in a difficult spot, forced to raise the paddle again, grudgingly upping the bid: "12.5 million!"

The proxy bidder immediately countered: "14 million."

Mia Winslow stared intently at that proxy bidder. After a few seconds, she took a deep breath: "14.5 million!"

Proxy bidder: "16 million."

The crowd delightedly watched the spectacle, eyes turning to Mia Winslow, waiting to see how high she would bid.

Mia Winslow’s expression twisted: "Eleanor, you have no proof that the necklace belongs to Aunt Melody, do you really want to be this reckless, just to have the family spend so much money on a piece of jewelry you won’t even wear?"

An imperial green necklace, something a girl in her twenties couldn’t possibly wear—it was too extravagant for her.

Mia Winslow’s words immediately turned the situation towards Eleanor, leading those unaware of the full story to easily be misled by Mia, into thinking Eleanor was being unreasonable while the Winslow Family was already cooperating as much as possible.

After all, Mia Winslow’s reputation in the circle was excellent, while Jude Winslow was known as a notorious playboy; who would easily believe the playboy’s words?

Blake Lockwood’s expression turned cold.

Before she could say anything, Eleanor Winslow had already raised her paddle: "16.5 million."

This move unequivocally demonstrated Eleanor’s seriousness regarding the emerald necklace.

If this wasn’t an heirloom from Melody Nash, why would Eleanor spend the money?

"Eleanor, don’t act out of spite—do you even have that kind of money?" Mia Winslow practically gritted her teeth asking.

Jude Winslow retorted as if it were only natural: "Isn’t brother-in-law paying?"

He paused, looking towards Adrian Grant for confirmation: "Brother-in-law, you’re going to pay, right? I’ve never seen a man take his woman shopping and let her spend her own money—it’s disgraceful!"

Adrian Grant nodded with a chuckle, turning to Eleanor Winslow, saying, "Play as you like, I’ll cover the cost."

A middle-aged lady behind Eleanor Winslow chuckled sneakily, "Young Master Grant certainly dotes on his wife!"

Mia Winslow wished she could shove this troublesome brother back into their mother’s womb.

What an oblivious fool!

Today truly was one of those days, not a single thing had gone smoothly from choosing clothes until now!

Eleanor Winslow looked at Adrian Grant, her grip tightening on the paddle, and after he bid again, she didn’t bid further.

She didn’t want to spend Adrian Grant’s money.

Eleanor Winslow glanced toward the direction of the proxy bidder, her eyes reflecting clear unwillingness and self-blame.

Then, as the emerald necklace fell into the hands of that persistent proxy bidder, Adrian Grant suddenly raised his paddle.

"20 million."

Proxy bidder: "21 million."

Adrian Grant: "24 million."

The cyclical pattern continued, skyrocketing from a starting price of 6 million to an astounding 30 million.

"Adrian Grant, stop it!" Eleanor Winslow stretched her arm to pull down his hand, whispering.

The man stubbornly raised his paddle again: "31 million."

Adrian Grant’s demeanor turned cold, though he didn’t show an outright displeasure, his slightly displeased appearance was evident to the astute, as he asked her sideways: "Eleanor Winslow, do you really dislike spending my money that much?"

"Yes." Eleanor Winslow answered frankly without hiding anything.

Adrian Grant stood, walked to Eleanor Winslow’s side, and whispered in her ear, "Marital assets are communal; doesn’t Lawyer Winslow understand? Is there no reason to disfavor yourself?"

The man’s breath, warm against her ear, sent a shiver down Eleanor Winslow’s spine and set her nerves on edge, as if, in the next instant, he’d capture her earlobe like so many nights before...

This overwhelming intimacy compelled Eleanor Winslow to shift towards Blake Lockwood.

"Young Master Grant, would you kindly return to your seat and refrain from disrupting the proceedings?" Eleanor’s voice trembled slightly, her body’s instinctive response to Adrian Grant.seeped through each word.

Adrian Grant, tall as always, was conspicuous even when bending over by Eleanor Winslow’s side.

"If you’re bored, why not arrange to meet with your lawyer to discuss our divorce?" Eleanor Winslow said, "It’s been delayed long enough."