Chapter 1930 Bidding War


    Allen fixed his gaze on Magnus but ultimately chose not to raise the bid.


    Turning to his cousin Miranda, who was standing nearby, he asked, "Do you know who that is?"


    Miranda frowned slightly. "That''s Magnus, Cecilia''s younger brother. You don''t recognize him?"


    The name Magnus sounded familiar, but for a moment, Allen couldn''t ce it. Still, he remembered meeting Cecilia and knew she was the CEO of the Jamieson Group. Offending someone from her circle might not be the wisest move.


    "Let''s go for something else," Allen said decisively. "Forty million for that ne is too steep."


    Miranda agreed it was an exorbitant price for a single piece of jewelry-but watching Allen back down left her uneasy. If they withdrew now, it would be like they were handing Chelsea over to Magnus on a silver tter.


    "Allen, you can''t back out now. Chelsea and her parents are watching," Miranda urged, her toneced with urgency.


    Allen''s brows knit together. "You know I was never interested in Chelsea to begin with."


    He wasn''t the type to chase after someone just because of appearances or status. Though his wife was unremarkable in the eyes of society, he had no intention of divorcing her.


    "This isn''t about personal feelings," Miranda pressed. "Chelsea and her family could do wonders for your career. And she''s a good girl. She''s educated, well- mannered, and in perfect health. I looked into it. She has regr checkups, and everything''s clean."


    To Miranda, this was a strategic alliance, not a romance. She didn''t care if it meant shaking up someone''s marriage; what mattered was tightening the bond between the Leighton and Rainsworth families.


    Still, Allen didn''t budge.


    Growing anxious, Miranda tugged lightly at his sleeve. "Think about your parents. What am I supposed to tell them if you pass up a chance like this?"


    At the mention of his parents, Allen sighed. He reluctantly lifted his paddle. "Forty- five million."


    "Forty-five million?" Allen''s voice drew a collective gasp from the crowd.


    A ne originally valued at twenty million had now skyrocketed in price- doubled, thanks to the heated bidding war between two determined men.


    Charlotte leaned in toward Cecilia, her voice low and tinged with disbelief. "Boss, didn''t Magnus just say he had no money? How is he still bidding like that?"


    Magnus was bold. Raising his sign again, he announced confidently, "Fifty million!"


    He had said it so nonchntly, as though he were spending five instead of fifty million.


    Cecilia frowned slightly, just as puzzled. Where had he suddenlye up with that kind of money?


    Allen hadn''t expected Magnus to continue the bidding, much less raise it again. He had been moments away from bowing out; after all, he''d never been truly interested in Chelsea.


    But now, his pride had been provoked. To be outbid in front of this many people and lose to Magnus was something he wasn''t ready to ept.


    "Sixty million!" Allen called out sharply.


    The crowd fell into stunned silence. No one had expected the bidding to escte this far.


    Magnus'' face remainedposed, but his palms were slick with sweat. His heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to back down. Raising his sign again, he dered with forced catm, "Seventy million."


    The bidding had turned into a high-stakes duel-ten million piled atop ten million,


    each figure more outrageous than thest.


    Miranda, who had earlier


    encouraged Allen to impress


    Chelsea''s parents, began to feel the weight of her words. She knew very well that a ne-no matter how exquisite-wasn''t worth over seventy mittion.


    Her uncle and aunt would never understand. They''d use her of pushing Allen


    too far, of leading him into a reckless show of pride.


    She said, "Allen, let it go. It''s not worth it."


    But Allen was already too deep in it. He refused to lose. "Eighty million."


    Miranda''s heart dropped.


    After cing the bid, Allen turned to Miranda and said, "Didn''t you insist I had to win this auction? Why are you telling me to back down now? Don''t worry. I won''t tell Mom and Dad it was your idea.”


    He says he won''t tell them, but isn''t that just a veiled threat? Miranda''s expression tightened despite the polite smile she forced onto her face.


    t joke like that," she said


    "Allen, don''t j


    lightly. "This is already more than enough. Going any higher really isn''t worth it. You should save your


    money for the next item. Whene


    knows, it might be even more appealing to Chelsea. Besides,pared to you, Magnús is nothing but a spoiled brat. He can''t hold a candle to your background or your aplishments."