?Chapter 815:


    Karina acquired some jewelry and an antique painting, while Corrine idly flipped through the auction catalog, barely paying attention—until the auctioneer announced the next item.


    “Up next, we have an exquisite ivory-carved mirror adorned with intricate grapevine patterns. The handle measures approximately eight inches. Bidding starts at 800 thousand.”


    Most of the wealthy heirs in attendance weren’t particrly interested in antiques, but among them were collectors who recognized the mirror’s true worth.


    In the blink of an eye, the bidding climbed to 1.5 million.


    Corrine raised her paddle. “Two million.”


    From her vantage point in thest private box, Leah spotted Corrine’s bid. Without hesitation, she raised her paddle. “Two million two hundred thousand.”


    She had no real use for the mirror—she just didn’t want Corrine to have it. To Leah, any chance to block Corrine’s way was a chance worth seizing. Her unexpected move caught Bruce’s attention.


    Feeling the weight of his gaze, Leah’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly offered an exnation. “Didn’t your grandfather love collecting antiques? I still feel bad about giving him that fake at his birthday party. I thought this could be a small gift to make up for it.”


    Bruce’s expression thawed slightly at her exnation. Any suspicions he had were momentarily put to rest. Noticing the shift in his demeanor, Leah quietly exhaled in relief. As the bidding continued, Leah persisted, matching Corrine’s offers each time, as though their rivalry was instinctual.


    Corrine, too, caught on.


    “So eager to challenge me?” she mused, raising an eyebrow.


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    A knowing smile yed at her lips as she lifted her paddle again. “Two million five hundred thousand.”


    Leah clenched her jaw. Something about Corrine’s voice grated on her nerves. Determined, she raised her paddle once more. “Three million.”


    “Three million five hundred thousand,” Corrine countered smoothly.


    “Four million.”


    Whispers rippled through the crowd. Those well-versed in the world of antiques knew the mirror’s value capped at around 3.5 million. Any higher, and it would be a foolish purchase. And yet, Leah boldly pushed the bid to four million.


    Was it a show of extravagance, or sheer stubbornness?


    Either way, her relentless defiance against Corrine piqued everyone’s curiosity.


    “Is a mirror really worth such a heated battle?” someone murmured.


    “You don’t get it,” another said, chuckling. “When rivals cross paths, sparks fly.”


    Naturally, the exchange stirred up gossip about the long-standing love triangle between Corrine, Bruce, and Leah.


    “Well, well, Mr. Ashton certainly enjoys an eventful love life. He’s so lucky.”


    “What good is luck if the beauty has already chosen another? Regret alwayses toote.”


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