Necklace

Cathy POV.

I had learned something about jewellery appraisal.

The pink diamond necklace being auctioned on stage, based on my experience, I visually estimated its maximum value to be around one million three hundred thousand, which was the price Danny had bid for earlier.

But Richard had raised the price to two million, which was clearly a loss-making deal.

As Richard's fiancée, albeit in name only, I felt I needed to warn my 'partner'.

"Richard, this necklace isn't worth two million dollars." I whispered, leaning in close to Richard.

Richard didn't respond immediately. After a moment, I heard him say, "I don't want to buy it."

He paused for a moment and then added, "I just wanted to raise the price a little."

He sounded so casual as if he was just discussing how the day was going with me.

At that moment, I noticed Danny giving me a hard stare, a look that seemed like it could kill me.

I subconsciously scowled. Danny must have thought that I had put Richard up to this.

"Two million, does anyone else want to raise their bid?" The host shouted excitedly.

But he paused for just a second and then eagerly began the countdown.

"Two million, once."

Everyone held their breath, especially me.

Richard was just trying to raise the price with the intention of not making it easy for Danny to bid.

I guessed he was trying to teach Danny a lesson again, but what if Danny gave up on the auction?

He paid two million for a necklace worth a maximum of one million three hundred thousand dollars and lost a full seven hundred thousand dollars straight away in such a short space of time.

Wasn't Richard worried at all?

But I was worried, after all, the war between Richard and Danny had been caused entirely by me.

"Two million twice."

The host raised the wooden hammer in his hand high, with an excited smile on his face, as if he couldn't wait to auction off the necklace.

"Two million ..."

"Two million two hundred thousand!"

The whole room was abuzz.

As the host counted down the final seconds, Danny suddenly raised the sign in his hand, interrupting the countdown.

I could see that Danny looked grave as if he was making up his mind of some sort.

It seemed that this necklace was very important to him, otherwise, he would not have insisted on raising the price even though he knew it was too high.

"Two million eight hundred thousand."

At this point, Richard spoke again, his tone calm and without any fluctuation.

It took a lot of courage and boldness to raise the price by six hundred thousand dollars in one go.

I instantly felt a little afraid to look at the man next to me again, always feeling an invisible pressure emanating from his body, making it somewhat impossible for me to catch my breath.

The host looked around the room and asked loudly, "Two million eight hundred thousand dollars, is there anyone else who would like to increase the bid, please? If not, the necklace will belong to Mr. Grant!"

It was clear that he did not think anyone would be willing to raise the bidding again.

Because of the value of the necklace itself, two million eight hundred thousand was already a very high price.

"Wait a minute!" Danny suddenly raised the sign in his hand. His brow furrowed, "Three million."

It looked like he wanted this necklace for sure!

"May I ask Mr. Grant, do you still want to raise your bid?" The host asked politely at Richard.

Richard seemed to smile a little and said languidly, "No increase."

His voice was desperately cold, like the solemn pronouncement of God judging sinners.

But those two words alone cost Danny a million and eighty thousand dollars.

The scene boiled up again.