?Chapter 146:

    The sarcasm hit its mark with sharp precision, slicing through the lively chatter like a cold de.

    Lise’s eyes darkened with anger as she whipped around, silencing the room with a single, cold “100k.” Her heart burned with bitterness, her anger toward Katelyn growing stronger.

    If Katelyn had divorced Neil sooner, how could Lise have been called a home-wrecker? One day, Katelyn would pay for all of this.

    At that moment, Vincent raised the paddle. His voice was calm, yet strong enough to echo through the room as he said, “Two hundred million.”

    The crowd exploded, like cold water hitting a sizzling pan.

    Two hundred million! That was four times the original price! “Mr. Adams holds back; his bids are impressive,” someonemented.

    Neil waspletely outmatched by Vincent. Even Katelyn’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.

    With Vincent pushing the bid so high, who would dare raise their paddle now?

    Neil clenched his teeth, squeezing the bidding paddle tightly. It was obvious that Vincent was using this auction to humiliate him.

    But with the price already at two hundred million, raising it further would only make things worse.

    Usually, Neil wouldn’t think twice about a sum like this, but with hispany crippled by Vincent’s sanctions, he was nearly out of business partners and running low on cash. The only funds left were the ones in thepany’s ounts.

    Neil couldn’t help but nce at Lise.

    If he could get back the money he’d lent her, it would solve hispany’s financial mess right away. Plus, hadn’t Lise just promised to stay with him and support him no matter what?

    Lise’s heart sank as she realized what Neil was hinting at. She immediately regretted making that promise. She had only wanted to seem supportive, never expecting to actually dip into her own money.

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    With the Wheeler Group so vulnerable, Neil’s stubbornness in going up against Vincent felt like a losing battle.

    Lise forced a smile and tried to downy it. “Neil, the jewelry set really isn’t our focus right now. We should be putting our money where it matters, right?”

    Neil’s expression darkened, a sh of disappointment crossing his eyes as he looked at Lise.

    “There are rumors everywhere that the Wheeler Group is on the verge of copse. If I don’t make a strong move at this auction, even potential partners will start pulling away. Losing them will cost us much more than just this set of jewelry.”

    In the business world, things shifted fast, andpetition was cutthroat.

    What seemed like a simple charity event was actually a stage where many were watching, waiting for him to slip. Neil refused to let them see him fail.

    Winning the Star series with a bold bid wasn’t just about proving Wheeler Group’s power—it was also about sending a message to Vincent.

    Neil was determined not to let Vincent get what he wanted.

    He made this clear to Lise.

    Under her sleeve, Lise’s fist tightened.

    She didn’t want to get involved in any of this, and she definitely didn’t want to give up her money. But now, she felt cornered, with no way out.

    Neil looked at Lise with a meaningful stare. “Lise, it’s your turn to help me through this tough time.”

    When the Bailey family was in trouble, Neil had quickly transferred funds to his project to help them, saving them from bankruptcy.

    His words came across more like a reprimand than a reminder.

    Lise’s anxiety deepened.

    The tension between Neil and Vincent was clear to everyone, including the auctioneer on stage. The auctioneer’s eyes were fixed on Neil.

    “Mr. Wheeler,” he called out. “Mr. Adams’ bid has reached 200 million. Will you ce a higher bid? If not, the Star series will go to Mr. Adams.”

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