Frederick furrowed his brow. "I bid three billion dollars!" He leaned in toward Grace, his voice low and urgent. "I strongly advise you to stop this reckless bidding. Don't drag June into this mess!" Priscilla was frantically trying to restrain Grace as well, her panic rising with each passing moment. She wasn't as blinded by the excitement as Grace.Even liquidating all of the Harmon family's assets would barely yield four billion dollars. Grace had already bid half of that; there was no way anyone could cover such an astronomical amount.She saw Albert's anger rising, confirming her worst fears.But Grace was oblivious to Priscilla's pleas. She shook off her hand and shouted, "I bid four billion dollars!"The room spun around Priscilla as she envisioned the disastrous consequences of such an outrageous bid at the Smith family's auction.Frederick was initially determined to reclaim his father's relic but found his efforts thwarted by Grace's foolish actions.In a strategic
A stunned silence fell over the room as all eyes turned to Grace.It was obvious to anyone with a shred of common sense that she couldn't possibly afford such an exorbitant sum.The nonchalant way she tossed around billions as if they were mere pocket change was utterly bewildering.Anxiety overwhelmed Priscilla, tears streaming down her face.This was a disaster. If they couldn't produce the funds, the Smith family's retribution would be swift and severe—they might even throw them to the sharks.Noticing Priscilla's distress, Grace questioned, "Why the tears, Prissy? Shouldn't you be celebrating my triumph?"Priscilla could only stomp her feet in frustration.Grace's naivety was astounding! If this led to their ruin, Grace would soon understand the gravity of her actions."Grace, we're talking about 6 billion dollars! Where are we supposed to find that kind of money?"Grace sighed. "Oh, Prissy, isn't there money in the card? How could you overlook something so important? Give
This was no ordinary card reader; it was a specialized device designed for elite families like the Smiths.Grace swiped her card with an air of confidence, which then emitted a series of beeping sounds.Everyone present recognized the familiar sound of insufficient funds. Who could realistically have 6 billion dollars in their bank account?Grace's expression hardened."Did you make a mistake? Why isn't it working?" she asked.The hostress felt deeply wronged but dared not speak up in front of someone wielding such immense wealth. Nervously, she explained in a low voice, "I assure you, madam, I did not make a mistake."After all, a card reader was a simple device, how could she have erred?Grace took the card reader, confidently punching in 6 billion dollars and adding two sets of zeros for emphasis.She then turned to the hostess and said firmly, "This is how one enters 6 billion dollars. This is how to operate a card reader!" With a flourish, Grace swiped her card, the move
Isabella's patience with Grace's antics had finally run out. Even tossing her into the sea wouldn't satisfy the hatred she felt. With a dismissive wave, she snarled, "Chop them all into mincemeat!"Immediately, a group of assassins drew their gleaming blades and advanced on the three cousins.Isabella's rage was so all-consuming that she didn't hesitate to include Grace's group, the Miller sisters. The onlookers gasped as they were horrified by Isabella's cruelty.The Smith family of Valyr City was known for their tyranny, but this display of ruthlessness from the seemingly harmless Isabella was chilling. The three women were paralyzed by fear. They huddled together, never having encountered such brutality before.Grace's mind raced in confusion. Albert had promised the card was loaded, yet he now feigned ignorance, leaving them in mortal danger. Unmoved by the women's plight, the assassins raised their gleaming knives and lunged. "Frederick, save me!" June cried out instin
Without hesitation, Frederick declared, "Let them off the cruise!"Grace and Priscilla were stunned, never expecting Frederick to come to their rescue. Tears welled up in June's eyes as she exclaimed, "I knew Frederick would save me!"Still shaken, Grace whispered, "This is a powerful Valyr City elite. She'll kill without a second thought. Frederick is useless. How can he possibly save us?" As Priscilla looked into Frederick's determined eyes, her doubts wavered. At their most desperate hour, he had rushed to their aid, and memories of their past flooded her mind.Isabella hesitated to harm the three women, fearing June's potential connection to a hidden sect could jeopardize her family's position. Yet, releasing them without cause would shame the Smith family.Caught in this predicament, she saw an opportunity as Frederick approached."Why should I release them just because you say so?" Isabella retorted. "Then why do you want to kill them?" Frederick calmly countered I
Isabella's face hardened as she heard the hostess' words. Fury welled up inside her, but with no outlet on the three women, Albert had conveniently presented himself as a target. Though the Four Major Families of Stanva City might seem formidable to ordinary people, they were insignificant to the Smith family of Valyr City.With a wave of her hand, she commanded her men, "Throw him into the sea." Albert was soaked in cold sweat and paralyzed with fear. He pleaded desperately, "Ms. Isabella, I did instruct them to bid, but I never told them to bid six billion dollars! It was the York family of Valyr City who asked me to bid on their behalf. Please, spare my life for the sake of the York family!"Isabella's expression shifted.The York family of Valyr City, one of the Salmasian Ten Titans, was indeed a force to be reckoned with. However, failing to act would make it seem like the Smith family feared the York family with so many witnesses.Isabella amended her order to the men i
Priscilla watched Frederick disappear from view, a mix of emotions swirling within her.Since their divorce, Frederick had consistently plotted against her. His apparent rescue had briefly touched her, but realizing it was solely for his sister left her feeling uneasy.Had Frederick developed feelings for June after their divorce? Or had he always harbored them?The three women quickly boarded the speedboat, Grace sighing in relief as they headed toward the shore."We should never have come to this cursed auction," she muttered. On the other hand, June was still reluctant to leave and continued to look back at the yacht. "Frederick, when will you be back in Jenaire City?" she murmured. Grace turned back to her usual sharp self and scoffed. "Back in Jenaire City? Didn't you see him lying to the Smith family? Where would he get five billion dollars? He'll be minced meat. We're lucky we got out of there quickly."June remained defiant. "Frederick said he had five billion dollars,
Grace continued searching June's body, uncovering pieces of burnt paper and ashes."Why do you have these ashes on you?" Priscilla inquired curiously. June covered her mouth in shock and shouted in a low voice, "Oh no, how did my origami lucky stars become like this?"Priscilla was puzzled at her words. She asked, "What are the origami lucky stars?"June carefully collected the ash fragments and explained, "These were origami lucky stars Frederick gave you. You threw them away, but I retrieved them."Priscilla was surprised to learn that her sister had cherished those seemingly worthless origami stars.Suddenly, June exclaimed, "I've figured it out!"Both Grace and Priscilla looked at her with curiosity.June excitedly declared, "The protective talisman is the origami lucky stars Frederick gave Pris! Everything he gives her is precious, and it saved us!"Grace scoffed, "That's ridiculous. How could origami lucky stars save lives? You've clearly been reading too many novels an