Chapter 699 You''ve Already Spent Enough...
A quiet chuckle escaped Gorman as he said, "Let them talk. Anyone who thinks you don''t deserve that ne
clearly doesn''t recognize beauty or value when they see it."
Rather than continuing the pointless back-and-forth, Linsey chose to shift a topic.
After a brief pause, she spoke more seriously. "You''ve already spent enough tonight. This ne is only going
to get more expensive. There''s no need to throw caution to the wind."
Gorman gave her a respectful nod, but then, out of nowhere, he burst intoughter.
The sudden reaction caught Linsey off guard. "What''s so funny?" she asked with a hint of confusion.
"It''s nothing." Gorman waved a hand dismissively as hisughter faded.
What he didn''t share was the thought that had just crossed his mind-Linsey had sounded like a wife
reminding her husband not to overspend.
Still, he kept that thought tucked away. Saying it aloud would only irritate her, and he wasn''t about to push his
luck.
On the other side, Collin sat still, though his attention had been drifting toward Linsey without him realizing it.
His eyes were drawn to the way she and Gorman interacted, calm and familiar.
Each time he imagined Linsey might have already had a daughter carrying her features with Gorman, a sharp pang and bitterness tightened in his chest.
If that child truly existed, then whatever chance he still held of reconciling with Linsey was gone for good.
In that scenario, he would spend the rest of his life watching her build a future with someone else, quietly carrying that regret wherever he went.
Just then, Haven leaned closer, her eyes still fixed on the ne. "Collin, isn''t this piece absolutely
breathtaking?"
Snapped out of his thoughts, Collin quickly straightened and replied in an even tone, "It''s the centerpiece of
the night. It''s meant to impress."
The lukewarm response made Haven''s smile falter.
She tightened her lips, then deliberately added, "You know, my birthday''s in just a
little over two weeks. It''ll be the first time I celebrate it back in Grester, which makes it feel especially important."
Though Collin''s mind wandered elsewhere, his face betrayed nothing. “Is that so?" he responded, his voice steady and even.
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Haven, picking up on hisck of enthusiasm, grew increasingly uneasy. His continued indifference gnawed at her patience.
She believed she had everything a man like Collin could possibly want-grace, intelligence, and charm-yet none of it seemed to matter to him.
In her mind, she had already dropped enough hints. Any man with a shred of decency would have taken the cue and offered to gift her that ne for her birthday.
For someone like Collin, securing the ne should have been effortless.
Money wasn''t the issue. As the founder of CR Corporation, he could buy out the entire auction if he pleased.
What truly mattered was whether he wanted to make that gesture.
On stage, the auctioneer picked up the pace and addressed the crowd. "Esteemed guests, we''ll begin the bidding for the Star of the Desert diamond ne at $100 million!"
The atmosphere in the room shifted. Whispers spread, and expressions changed. With that price, many of the admirers silently pulled back, losing their interest.
It wasn''t surprising-most could only dream ofpeting at that level.
Moments passed before someone finally broke the silence. "$110 million.”
Another voice followed. "$120 million."
Then came another. "$130 million."
The bidding climbed slowly, each number drawing more attention. Those seated farther back craned their necks, eager to witness just how far it would go.
"$200 million!" someone shouted.
"$250 million," the next bidder said without a moment''s hesitation.
A curious voice from the crowd suddenly rang out. "Isn''t it odd? Mr. Riley and Mr. Green haven''t made a single
move."
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Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After
Chapter 700 We''re