The auctioneer practically vibrated with excitement, shouting:[]

“Mr. Thorne bids five million!“[]

I turned to him, confused, lowering my voice:[]

“I thought we agreed I’d get this snow lotus?“b]/b]

He knew damn well how badly I needed it to save my father’s life.

Damien’s dark eyes dropped.[]

“Aria scraped her hand. Cut her some ck this time–I’ll find you other medicinal herbs.“[]

But there wasn’t time for that! Every day we dyed was another day Dad teetered on death’s door.

Besides, Aria’s “injury” was barely a scratch–it’d heal on its own in an hour![]

Aria poked her head out, sticking her tongue out yfully:[]

“Sorry, Vera! Mr. Thorne just cares about me sooo much.“[]

I gripped my paddle tight, fury boiling over as I shouted:[]

“Six million!”

Aria smiled sweetly. “Sisb, /bI’ll just add one–more dor then.“]

The crowd snickered, whispering:

“Is it just me, or is Miss Sterling totally ying with her like a dog? This is hrious!”

“Vera needs to quit while she’s behind. Like she could ever beat Miss Sterling.“[]

I clenched my teeth and raised my paddle again.[]

“Seven million!”

“Seven million and one~“]

The auctioneer was practically seeing dor signs. It’d been ages since he’d seen bidding this intense.[]

“Eight million!”

My heart pounded. Eight million was my absolute limit.]

I nced over.]

INTNEYMAR Who bthe /bBali 187 Frn Your Cells Soulmatest

b47,6/b%

Damien had been indulging Aria this whole time, but now he took her paddle away.[]

Maybe he still had some sense left.[]

I’d barely rxed when I heard Damien’s cold voice: “Nine million!“]

My brain exploded.[]

The auctioneer’s grin stretched from ear to ear as he looked at me expectantly.[]

“Miss Bet, are you still in?“]

I looked at Damien, so sure of his victory, and slowly exhaled.[]

Since they wanted to back me into a corner, I’d stop ying nice.[]

Ten million.”

The room went absolutely wild.[]

Ten million for some flower? That was certifiably insane.[]

Even Damien raised an eyebrow, surprised.[]

He hadn’t expected me to have that kind of liquid cash.[]

With stakes this high, the auctioneer quickly called a recess to check with the higher–ups.

Aria crossed her arms with a sneer:

“Vera, you better not be writing checks your ass can’t cash. Gonna bbe /breal awkward when you can’t pay up.“]

I smiled coldly. “Don’t worry. However broke I am, at least bI /bspend my own money.“]]

“You-!” Aria’s sweet face twisted with rage.]]

Damien’s imposing frame blocked her, his voice carrying a warning.[]

“Vera Bet, watch yournguage.“]]

“I’ve transferred half my shares to Aria. She’s got every right to do whatever she wants now.“b]/b]

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