The auction hall buzzed with anticipation. Expensive perfumes mingled with tension in the air as I stood my ground, paddle clutched in my sweating palm. The jade bracelet glowed under the spotlight, my mother's memory caught in its depths.
"One hundred and ten million," I called out, my voice steadier than my heart.
The crowd gasped. I caught Vera's horrified expression from the corner of my eye. She gripped my arm tighter.
"Hazel, stop! You've already bid way beyond what you can afford!"
I ignored her, eyes locked on the auctioneer's face as he repeated my bid with barely concealed excitement.
"One hundred and ten million from paddle twenty-eight. Do I hear one-twenty?"
From across the room, Alistair's face darkened. He leaned toward Ivy, whispering something in her ear. My stepsister's eyes narrowed, a cat-like smile playing on her lips as she nodded.
Charlotte, acting as their proxy, raised her paddle. "One hundred and twenty million."
