The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 317

“Damn it! That obnoxious woman actually dares to challenge us?” Jasper’s face twisted with annoyance as he ground his teeth. “Haynie, keep raising the bid! I refuse to believe she can outmatch you!”

Stella’s voice was calm but clear. “My budget is eighty million. If Mr. O'Brien bids higher than that, the necklace is his. But if his budget falls short, he shouldn’t bother competing with me.”

She glanced at Haynes and offered a soft, almost teasing smile.

“Either way, you won’t win against me.”

“Eighty million?!” Jasper nearly burst out laughing. His tone was thick with ridicule. “Stella, you must be dreaming. With your shabby finances, could you even cough up eighty thousand on your own if it weren’t for a man backing you?”

Stella’s eyes flickered as she looked at him. “Since you’re so impressive, Mr. Wilkinson, why don’t you bid the eighty million yourself?”

Jasper opened his mouth but faltered, lost for words.

Eighty million was no small sum.

There was no way he’d put on a show at that price.

But he couldn’t believe Stella had that kind of money, either.

Suddenly, he jabbed a finger at her, as if a lightbulb had gone off. “Oh, I get it! You’re trying to trick us, just like before—drive the price up and then drop out at the last second to leave us with the bill. Is that it?!”

He practically jumped in place, triumphant. “Stella, you really are shameless!”

Stella feigned surprise. “Mr. Wilkinson, you should watch what you say. Anyone can eat a meal as they please, but you can’t just run your mouth. We’re all here playing by the same rules. Where’s the deception in that?”

“I bid high on what I consider worthwhile, and if something exceeds my limit, I simply stop. By your logic, does that mean anyone who ever drops out of a bidding war with you is acting in bad faith? And besides…”

A sly smile played across her lips. “I’ve won more tonight than you have, haven’t I?”

His face shifted through a whole palette of colors as he tried to defend himself. “You’ve got it all wrong, that’s not what I meant—”

He knew full well: if his profit-driven old man heard that Jasper had just ruined the Wilkinson Group’s reputation with a few careless words, he’d probably break his legs.

But no one was listening. Every gaze that met his was either scornful or mocking.

Even those who realized Jasper was just mouthing off didn’t bother to defend him, instead exchanging looks of amused derision.

What an idiot.

Anyone who worked with someone this foolish would end up looking just as bad.

Rachel’s voice was gentle as she turned to Stella. “Ms. Cameron, can you really afford that necklace?”