Chapter 128
ešta just skyrocketed the bid again!
Charlene’s heart sank. She wasn’t exactly swimming in cash. Going into this auction, she’d capped her budget at 30 million. After all, the Ross family’s business was hitting a rough patch. They didn’t have cash to burn.
But now…
Dalton: “28 million.”
Charlene raised her paddle, saying, “30 million.”
Her voice, following Dalton’s twice in succession, was clear, gentle, and incredibly captivating.
Dalton, hearing her, turned to look.
His eyebrows raised in a mix of surprise and amusement upon seeing Charlene, and he offered a smile.
Charlene, noticing his glance, nodded politely in response.
Just then, Vesta went ahead: “40 million.”
Charlene, losing interest in Dalton, clenched her fist tight at the sound.
Dalton again: “43 million.”
Charlene, not backing down, countered: “45 million.”
Vesta said, “50 million.”
Boom! Charlene’s mind was blown.
Sure, her initial budget was 30 million.
But the moment Vesta made her move, Charlene had silently upped her budget to 50 million.
She could afford to go higher. After all, Thorne had just gifted her a villa worth a couple hundred million.
Since that money was a windfall, why not spend it?
But she knew the tapestry wasn’t worth 50 million.
She could afford to splurge, but she couldn’t afford to be reckless.
Selling the villa could fund more meaningful ventures.
With that thought, Charlene lowered her hand.
Connie suggested, “Why not call Thorne?”
Charlene had thought about it. But would Thorne actually ask Vesta to back off for her sake? That seemed unlikely.
Even knowing it was a long shot, Charlene still pulled out her phone and dialed Thorne.
Thorne, feeling his phone vibrate, took it out of his pocket.
Vesta glanced over, seeing only an unlabelled number, asked, “A stranger?”
Thorne chuckled but didn’t answer, simply hanging up.
Watching the call get disconnected without a second thought, Charlene’s last shred of hope vanished.
She felt a momentary blankness in her mind.
Connie, indignant, said, “Damn, he actually ignored your call!”
Charlene remained silent, quietly slipping her phone back into her purse.
By now, the bidding had soared to 95 million.
Dalton, massaging his temples, turned to Thorne: “Mr. Henderson, can you do me a favor here?”
Thorne responded with a polite smile, “Maybe next time.”
Dalton was speechless.
Next time my foot!
He raised his paddle, pushing the bid to 120 million.
Vesta countered: “150 million.”
Dalton had nothing to say.
Seeing this, Connie whispered fiercely to Charlene, “This is the first time I’ve seen Dalton at a loss.”
The Ramirez family, just like the Hendersons, were top-tier tycoons.
Dalton’s reluctance seemed not from a lack of funds but more about not wanting to overspend.
Whereas Thorne, seemingly in pursuit of a lady’s favor, appeared to spare no expense.
With no further bids, the tapestry naturally went to Vesta again.
Thorne turned to Dalton, saying, “Mr. Ramirez, I appreciate your understanding.”
Dalton replied, “Mr. Henderson, you’re too polite.