Auctions can also take a break during the intermission, with a performance to give everyone a chance to relax, replenish their tea, and prepare for the upcoming items.

The reason for making it so grand was that the next items were contributed by the shareholders of Tiger Real Estate, and it also gave everyone some time to chat, preventing the atmosphere from becoming too dull.

"Thank you."

Bella was holding a glass of whiskey. She clinked glasses with Luis and downed it in one go, showing a somewhat bold and heroic spirit.

Luis was completely confused. "What for?"

Nina leaned in intimately beside him and said in a soft, charming tone, "Stop playing dumb. It's obvious we were being isolated. Dominic and the others were trying to take this chance to humiliate us. Luckily, you stepped in just in time."

"What?"

Luis was stunned speechless.

Nina then briefly explained. It was clear that Dominic, along with the other shareholders and the Leon brothers, were colluding to ostracize Bella.

David's move was part of their plan. Because this donated item was in the name of her Ocean Hotel, they joined forces to give her a warning.

The value of such luxury handbags is transparent. Bidding below the item's actual worth would be humiliating.

This would force the onlookers to reconsider their stance, and they might even seize the opportunity to kick her while she was down, making Bella's situation even more difficult.

"I truly didn't expect you to be willing to help me like this."

A glimmer of moisture flickered in Bella's eyes. It wasn't exactly tender affection, but there was genuine gratitude.

Because Hail had witnessed that intimate moment, her objective had already been achieved.

In her view, Luis deliberately challenged David by bidding a high price for her donated item, which was a clear declaration of his stance to Hail.

The shift in dynamics wasn't as simple as one plus one. Just achieving a fair outcome would be something to be thankful for, and who knows, Hail might even start favoring her side now.

Because of Luis's final bid of 100,000 dollars, many people who knew the inside story had to start reconsidering their positions, including members of the Taiga and Leon families.

Luis found the whole thing utterly ridiculous. He wasn't trying to show off or put anyone in their place. He simply wanted to complete the bonus task and squeeze more money out of his gorgeous sister-in-law.

He had even been a little annoyed when Bella placed that earlier bid. It was a pity she only raised it once; otherwise, he could have milked even more.

"No need for thanks. I'm not a good person."

As soon as Luis saw Dominic go to chat at the next table, he discreetly reached out and began stroking her thigh over her dress. He gave a lecherous grin and said, "The boss's wife should know very well what a lustful man like me is after."

"Give... give me some time."

Bella stiffened all over, her breathing becoming slightly irregular.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Luis naturally didn't continue his mischief. He took a sip of his wine and looked back to see Daniel flitting around like a social butterfly, handing out business cards, while Nancy chatted smugly with her envious and resentful classmates.

The final phase was about to begin. The first item up for auction was a Cartier gemstone necklace, valued at around 5,000 dollars.

Deewa immediately started coquettishly pleading. After all, the later items were mostly calligraphy and paintings, and this was the only thing that held any interest for a girl.

David first glanced cautiously at Luis, then raised his paddle. "8,000 dollars!"

While the young master wasn't paying attention, Deewa shot a seductive glance, then clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture. Her pitiful, delicate appearance looked quite charming and vulnerable.

She had also figured out that Luis and the young master had a grudge. Even if it wasn't to help Nancy show off, she was worried Luis might continue to drive up the price just to annoy David.

This green tea bitch's goal was very clear. She was nearly ten years older than David.

Marriage was out of the question, and even a serious relationship seemed unrealistic to her. Right now, she just wanted to take advantage of David's fresh pursuit of her to grab as many benefits as possible.

This circle was materialistic and gold-digging, following an extreme path, extreme in their delusions of grandeur, yet also extreme in their self-awareness. It was particularly peculiar.

She had accepted the complicated situation with that handbag, resigning herself to not being lucky enough to have it.

But if she came away from this auction empty-handed, she wouldn't be able to accept it. So, she could only beg and plead with this obstacle in her path. She knew if Luis insisted on causing trouble, it would be all over.

Luis smiled at her, raised his glass, and took a sip, which was his way of agreeing. Deewa let out a huge sigh of relief and flashed a sexy, captivating smile.

Although she was just as beautiful as his ethereal sister-in-law, the allure between women was different. Her seductive, vixen-like charm was enough to make anyone's heart stir with desire.

David called out his bid with great bravado. After all, at this stage, it was inconvenient for him to bid himself, so those supporting him were his own people.

Bidding a bit higher was a way of showing support for others. As long as it wasn't too outrageous, his father probably wouldn't say anything.

"12,000 dollars, going once, going twice... sold! Congratulations to Mr at table four!"

After a few rounds of bidding, buying something worth 5,000 dollars for 12,000 dollars was considered quite a respectable show of face.

Feeling he had regained his dignity, the young master strode triumphantly onto the stage, swiped his card, and upon receiving the necklace, boldly shoved it directly into Deewa's hands.

Deewa's face was a picture of moved emotion and happiness. She nestled against him with intimate affection, creating a scene of perfect harmony between a loving couple.

"Darling, you're so good to me."

"Nonsense. And you still won't let me get properly intimate. I'm about to burst, I can't take it anymore."

"Don't be like that. I'm just afraid you won't cherish me once you have me."

"Don't treat me like a kid. Cut the crap and give me some actual reward. You think I've never been with a woman before?"

"Fine, then tonight... we'll go for a fancy dinner, and then..."

"Screw waiting for tonight. I can't wait that long. Let me have a good, satisfying cum first."

"But the auction isn't over yet."

"The rest are just old men's stuff. Let's go... let's go have some fun, something exciting. I really can't hold back anymore."

Luis, being the jerk he was, felt his gossipy nature flare up. Being close by, he wanted to eavesdrop on how other couples flirted, especially curious about how this David, despite his young age, had such... expansive tastes.

By faintly hearing them and reading their lips, he already knew what the pair were planning.

From the sound of it, David hadn't known her for long. Deewa, this green tea bitch, was stringing the young master along. Even though the young master wasn't exactly a naive fool born with a silver spoon.

But in terms of tactics, he was still a bit green. He hadn't gained any substantial advantage yet. Only now, after shelling out real cash, did Deewa finally relent.

Dominic had more than one son. The young master probably felt the pinch spending 12,000 dollars just for a quick fuck.

And there must have been other expenses before this, but they hadn't reached Deewa's psychological price point, so the young master hadn't succeeded yet.

Whether the young master could get this expense reimbursed was unclear, but the effect of splashing the cash was immediate. Deewa's dress strap was already loose.

Impatient and lust-filled, David grabbed her hand and, crouching slightly, stealthily headed in the direction of the lounge. By the looks of it, he wouldn't be satisfied unless he had his way with her right there today.

Luis couldn't help but turn and ask, "How much longer is this going to last? I'm bored to death."

Bella said softly, "The auction itself, about half an hour. The final procedures added together will take a little over an hour in total."

"If you're bored, I can accompany you for a walk?"

Nina offered proactively. Bella's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't say anything.

Clearly, the earlier price hike had already taken effect. This shrewd woman understood that you had to give to receive, and what she needed to calculate now was how to maximize the benefits.

Or to put it bluntly, only by clinging tightly to this powerful connection could she secure her footing and livelihood.

An hour...

Remembering David's arrogant face, and how he'd even sent a note over to threaten him.

Even if he didn't consider his sister-in-law as his woman, family was his bottom line. David's actions had ignited a furious rage in Luis.

He had even momentarily considered using the Aphrodisiac Incense (male version) to make him commit suicide. But upon further thought, Luis realized that would be letting him off too easily. It seemed he needed to make the arrogant young master understand what true humiliation felt like.

He silently opened the System interface and clicked on the item inventory.

"Ding... Item: Clone Technique (30 minutes). Activate?"

"Activate."

"Ding... Item: Clone Location, activated. Please select the location for your clone to appear."

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