h4Chapter 188: Chapter 188/h4

    At that moment a collective gasp filled the room.

    All eyes immediately shifted to that single dress. No one needed to be told, it was obvious even at first nce. The glow that radiated from it was unlike any other fabric in existence. The light caught on it differently, scattering into sparks that shimmered like stars, and without being told that could tell it was made of Diamonds. It was then confirmed by the announcer herself: "Yes, your instincts are correct. This dress is crafted entirely from diamonds. From the neckline to the hem, from the delicate straps to the flowing body everything is diamond. Only the inner fabric is spared, forfort. Beyond that, every inch is pure diamond artistry."

    The room erupted into stunned silence. A diamond dress, such a thing belonged in legends, not in an auction hall. Even those who had seen the most luxurious designs of their lifetime found themselves speechless.

    Then, with another subtle swipe of her finger, the announcer signaled the next reveal. Five imposing men, each tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in matching ck suits, marched into the hall carrying a long, polished box. Their synchronized steps and the way they guarded the box made the crowd realize immediately that they were handling something of immense value.

    They reached the podium and, with careful precision, lowered the box. The crowd held its breath as the men unsped the locks. The box opened, and inside, secured in a ss disy case, stood a mannequin, sculpted like a dumbbell form, wearing the diamond dress itself.

    Immediately the light above dimmed, and a single golden spotlight illuminated the ss box. The diamonds caught the light, exploding into prisms of color reds, blues, purples, and silvers, dancing across the hall like fragments of a rainbow. The collective sound of gasps echoed through the room. Some of the women even covered their mouths with their hands in disbelief, while others whispered feverishly, unable to take their eyes away.

    The dress shimmered with a beauty so overwhelming that it felt surreal, almost divine. The hall was filled with an air of reverence, as if everyone present was in the presence of something not just fashionable, but historic.

    Everybody could see how beautiful it was.

    At that moment, as the diamond dress continued to shimmer under the golden lights of the hall, the atmosphere grew heavier with tension. No phones were lifted, no whispers of cameras the rule was clear: admire with your eyes, not with your lenses. The exclusivity of the moment made every woman present lean forward even more, their gazes glued to the glittering masterpiece locked inside the ss case.

    Then Victoria shifted closer to Abigail, lowering her voice into a sharp whisper.

    "Abigail, look at that dress carefully. Can’t you see? It was made for you. The cut, the elegance it would fit you like it was woven for your very body. And since you’re one of the gold card holders, this is exactly the kind of opportunity you should seize. Forget the chatter this is how you prove yourself. This is where you show that Cora isn’t the only one with power. She may have the diamond invitation, but she’s not untouchable. You should step forward and bid for that dress, and show everyone here that we’re not people to be pushed aside."

    Abigail’s jaw clenched as she fixed her eyes on the disy. The sparkling diamonds seemed to taunt her, reminding her of the unspokenpetition between her and Cora. Her heart burned with both envy and determination. Slowly, she leaned back and whispered with conviction, "That’s exactly what I was thinking, Victoria. This is the moment. I’ll prove to every woman in this room and especially to Cora that she’s not the only one who can stand in the spotlight. She may have the diamond card, but that doesn’t mean she deserves it. Everyone here needs to see that she only got it through her so-called connections, not because she earned it. Tonight, I’ll make sure she’s humiliated. I’ll make her regret even stepping into this room."

    Immediately Victoria smirked, satisfied with Abigail’s resolve, and the two of them exchanged a knowing nce. Around them, otherdies continued to murmur, still dazzled by the diamond dress, but Abigail’s mind was already racing.

    To her this wasn’t just about a piece of clothing this was about status, about dominance, about cutting down a rival in the most public and humiliating way possible.

    And as she straightened her back, her eyes never leaving the glittering gown in the ss, Abigail whispered under her breath, "Cora won’t know what hit her."

    At that moment, the announcer took a graceful step forward, her voice elegant yet firm as she addressed the crowd again. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, "in a few minutes, we shall begin the bidding for this one-of-a-kind, breathtaking masterpiece. But before we do, I must ask only our golden invitees are eligible for this bid. Kindly indicate now if you are interested in being part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

    Immediately a hushed silence fell upon the hall, tension curling in the air like smoke. Heads turned as the spotlight gently hovered over the exclusive golden section. The five elite guests seated in that section exchanged nces, and then one after another, they raised their hands.

    No hesitation. No dy. No flinch.

    It was a powerful gesture. A deration.

    These were not just wealthy women they were symbols of status, elegance, and confidence, each one prepared to outshine the others. The audience held its collective breath.

    "That’s Abigail West..."

    "Isn’t that the CEO of LunaCorp?"

    "I heard she just acquired a new techpanyst week..."

    The whispers came like a tide, but none of them dared speak too loudly. This was a sacred space. This was war draped in velvet and lit with diamonds.

    The announcer smiled, satisfied with their response. "Well then," she said with a flourish, her voice floating smoothly over the awe-stricken crowd, "since all five golden invitees have expressed interest, we can now proceed. The bidding will begin shortly..."

    She let the moment breathe, just long enough for suspense to grow like wildfire.

    "Now," she said with finality, her voice now sharper, crisper, "as for the starting price of this exclusive diamond couture... the opening bid will begin at five million U.S. dors."