The auction carried on, with more jewelry pieces being displayed. Leah instantly liked a few, but after Maxwell had already spent five million, she didn’t dare ask for more. So she watched helplessly as others snatched them up.
Then came the final item.
It was a ruby necklace, also adorned with Southglow Pearls, and it sparkled even more brightly than the one Leah had won.
Compared to this one, her necklace looked plain.
“The ruby pearl necklace starts at one million!” the auctioneer announced.
Leah stared at it, unable to look away. After several rounds of bidding, Charmaine won it for just two million.
People around the room began throwing knowing glances at Leah and her group.
They had paid more than double for pearls of the same quality. They looked like total fools.
Leah was pissed off.
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Back to My Worst Birthday and Starting Anew
Chapter 437 You Scored
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Finished
Once the auction wrapped up, Celeste sauntered over to Leah and her group, trying to keep her excitement in check–though the grin on her face gave her away.
A short distance behind, Charmaine stood quietly, her calm smile making Leah’s group feel even more uncomfortable.
“Well, well, look who dropped five million on some pearls–with no gems included?”
“You’re so annoying, Celeste!” Veronica snapped.
Celeste casually tapped her ear. “Huh? Is that what a fool sounds like? I think I just heard one.”
“You-”
“Veronica, ignore her,” Leah said through gritted teeth. She took a breath and tried to stay composed.
“Rubies are too flashy. They wouldn’t suit Grandma. What we picked is more fitting.”
“Exactly!” Liam jumped in. “Both are pearl necklaces, but ours had a higher starting bid. That means it’s better!”
Celeste tapped her ear again. “Are you serious? Leah’s necklace started at 50,000 dollars. Charmaine’s started at one million. You guys paid top dollar for something cheap and think you scored big?”
Liam’s face twisted like he’d just bitten into something nasty. “You-”
Just then, Flynn appeared, walking over with the auctioneer.
Leah and Maxwell noticed them and immediately assumed they were coming to make connections, given the auction’s high–profile organizers.
Leah smiled eagerly. “This auction’s been quite the event…‘
But the pair walked straight past them without a glance.
Leah’s smile froze in place.
11
Instead, they headed over to Charmaine. The auctioneer, now offstage, looked far more relaxed and friendly. She even gave Charmaine a playful wink. “Congratulations, Ms. Nelson, on winning the ruby necklace.”
Charmaine gave a small smile. “Thanks.”
Most of the audience had already gotten up. The auctioneer turned to her with a friendly grin. “Ms. Nelson, you might not know this, but that last piece wasn’t originally part of the auction. It’s actually from the private collection of the owner. They added it in just because they heard you liked pearls.”
She glanced at Flynn. Since he didn’t stop her, she continued, “The real value of that necklace is way more than what you paid. You’ve got some serious luck.”
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Charmaine held the luxurious red velvet box, feeling the jealous looks around her. A playful grin tugged at her lips. “Yeah, guess I got lucky.”
“Well, of course, you’re lucky. Unlike someone who fakes being blessed but blames others when things go wrong. In truth, she’s just unlucky!”
Celeste said it loudly, then turned to Leah with exaggerated innocence. “Oops, I wasn’t talking about you. You’re not upset, right?”
You bitch!
Leah’s face twisted with rage. Her eyes practically burned.
Liam, unable to stay calm and wanting to stand up for Leah, clenched his fists and stormed toward them. His anger was written all over his face as he pointed straight at Charmaine.
“Don’t think I’ll stay quiet! Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean I won’t—”
Flynn and the others were about to step in, but Charmaine held Celeste back and walked forward. Without a word, she caught Liam’s wrist in mid–motion.
He froze. Before he could react, she shifted her weight and flipped him over her shoulder, slamming him hard onto the ground.
Thud!
Maxwell’s expression turned dark, and he hurried over. “Charmaine!”
“What?” she said coolly, meeting his glare without flinching.
“You can’t even keep your guy
control, yet you’ve got time to mess with someone else’s business?”
Maxwell caught the hidden jab in her words and stiffened, pursing his lips.
Liam lay there, stunned, his back aching from hitting the marble floor. But what truly shocked him was how easily she took him down.
She moved so fast–smooth and clean. Even some female soldiers wouldn’t manage that kind of throw with his weight.
He didn’t even try to get up–he just stared at Charmaine in disbelief.
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Back to My Worst Birthday and Starting Anew
