Chapter 003: Straightforward Professor Williams
As soon as Tiana Williams dropped that remark, Berlina Holmes was instantly dumbfounded, her complexion turning deathly pale!
She had never imagined that Tiana Williams could be so articulate, nor had she ever directly seen Tiana retorting her like this, subtly accusing her of being uneducated!
She wasn't a criminal!
Previously, no matter what happened, she always maintained a silent demeanor and seldom defended herself... but today...
"Tiana, apologize immediately!"
Seeing Berlina's pallid, rigid little face, Maxwell Perry felt a sinking feeling in his heart. He immediately turned to Tiana and sharply commanded her in a tone that brooked no resistance.
Tiana gave him a sidelong glance, answering him with nothing but an indifferent back.
What a piece of work!
She was ungrateful, after taking his face!
...
Finding her seat, Tiana calmly sat down.
The minor interruption just now didn't affect her mood at the time—
Attitude is important if you want to live comfortably. If the wound is severe, you have to be brave enough to scrape away the dead flesh, apply good medicine, and it will heal. Although the scar remains, perhaps unsightly and frightening, it doesn't matter if you don't look at it.
At this moment, the presenter had already stepped down, and models were showcasing the jewelry to be auctioned today, exhibiting their allure to the fullest.
Elisse Gonzales was the last one to come on stage. Blessed with a perfect figure and a stunningly attractive face, her powerful presence and assertive flair rightfully made her an international supermodel!
She was showcasing a bracelet—
A ruby bracelet, its design simple and rustic, but it boasted a captivating, soft luster, luxurious and elegant, one of a kind, shrouded in a mysterious and poignant legend. Its radiance was dazzling, irresistible to many women.
As soon as the bracelet was displayed, it captured the audience's fascination.
So when the host announced a starting bid of one million, within less than a minute, the price shot up to six million!
Downstairs, Berlina glanced at Tiana and curled her lips into a sneer, then turned her head to look at Maxwell and softly said, "Understated luxury. I don't know why, but looking at it reminds me of a quietly blooming beauty in the dark. Maxwell, I really like that feeling..."
After being reprimanded by Tiana, Berlina hadn't said a word until then, staying quietly and obediently by Maxwell's side.
Maxwell glanced at her. He had intended to buy her a precious gift tonight and also use the opportunity to boost her popularity for when she takes over as the chief designer of the company, which would also help her live streaming fanbase.
The news from this auction would certainly hit the hot searches, as it gathered various tycoons.
Therefore, he was set on winning this bracelet!
"I'll buy it for you," Maxwell said, a gentle smile crossing his face as he spoke in a deep voice.
While speaking, he raised his bidding paddle and called out, "Seven million!"
Berlina nodded lightly, a faint ripple of joy appearing on her face, her eyes brimming with happiness.
...
Meanwhile, Tiana Williams received a text from Elisse Gonzales:
Tiana, I really like this bracelet, help me bid for it, I'll transfer the money to your account later! [You can do it!][Power to you!]
...
Maxwell had already bid ten million!
The auctioneer was somewhat excited as he confirmed—
"Is there anyone else who would like to bid higher? Ten million for the second time..."
Tiana put away her phone. Since she was going to buy, it was better to be quick about it. Anyway, Elisse Gonzales was wealthy and didn't mind spending the money.
She raised her own paddle, her indifferent voice calmly cutting through, "Twenty million."
Hearing Tiana's bid, Berlina's expression darkened, and she clenched her teeth in secret—
How dare Tiana Williams also bid. Could she be doing this just to spite her?
Couldn't she stand seeing Maxwell bid for her?
Was she trying to create a scene, to vent her anger at them?
It was just childish and laughable!
She didn't know where the confidence came from, but she could understand—after all, it must be hard for someone like her to accept being outshined, right?
It was just a moment of speaking one's mind!
Berlina Holmes curled her lips into a scornful, cold smirk, took a breath, and then intertwined her fingers with Maxwell Perry's, expressing with a hint of regret and helplessness, "It's Tiana, never mind, Maxwell, I don't want it anymore. Anyway, I'm used to it, let her have it. Let's not harm the harmony."
Upon hearing this, Maxwell Perry's eyes darkened. He hesitated for a moment and then said coldly, "If you want it, you must fight for it."
With those words, he immediately raised his bidding paddle and called out, "Twenty-one million!"
Tiana Williams frowned at the sight of the bracelet...
She felt that, precious as the item was, it wasn't worth that price. What was the point of inflating it to such an extent?
But since Elisse Gonzales wanted it, she had to try her best to win it.
"Thirty million!"
Tiana Williams raised her bid again, increasing it swiftly—after all, it wasn't her money.
She really was intentionally driving up the price!
Berlina Holmes felt terrible all over, but she refused to lose the battle of wills!
Maxwell Perry's face darkened and his eyes turned colder.
...
The price had already far exceeded expectations. Although Maxwell Perry knew the bracelet was precious, spending thirty million on such a piece of jewelry seemed somewhat...
Born into a grand wealthy family, Maxwell—although not lacking such millions—was worried that this might displease his family, fear of causing more trouble than it's worth!
Berlina seemed to sense Maxwell's hesitation and, showing understanding, said softly, "It's all right, Maxwell. No worries, my feelings have changed too. As long as you care, that's all that makes me happy..."
"Thirty-one million!"
Maxwell Perry still steadied his emotions and raised his paddle again. If Tiana raised the bid again, he would leave it to her.
The crowd gasped!
Truly, the act of a wealthy tycoon!
...
Too expensive!
Tiana Williams was quite calm and logical, ready to give up, but just then, a familiar and somewhat deep voice broke the silence—
"Fifty million!"
At these words, everyone was stunned!
The bracelet had actually fetched such a high price!
Fifty million!
Did these people just have too much money to burn?
Maxwell Perry's handsome face tensed up slightly!
Fifty million was far too expensive, way beyond his budget. Moreover, he had had significant expenses recently, and today their aim wasn't the bracelet but to select a birthday gift for his father; he couldn't produce that much money on short notice.
He glanced at the last bidder, a face he didn't recognize, but that person seemed very confident, nearly doubling the price right off the bat, draining him of any will to continue bidding!
However, Tiana Williams recognized the last bidder—
Tom Rosenthal!
One of the Great Demon's reliable assistants.
What was he doing here?
Could it be that Landon Brooke was also present?
Tiana Williams frowned slightly but didn't pursue the matter further.
This decisive bidding was overwhelming.
Soon, with a bang of the gavel, the bracelet was won by Tom Rosenthal for fifty million.
Subsequently, Maxwell Perry also won a diamond necklace for Berlina Holmes at the price of thirty million.
Berlina generously shared her joy with her followers on her social media and live stream.