This crown, by the look of it, had to be worth at least ten million to start.


    It wasn''t surprising that someone would step up to bid.


    But when Jasper heard the woman''s voice, he bristled like a rooster ready for a


    fight.


    "Damn it! That''s Ste-she actually dares to go up against me?"


    He raised his paddle again. "Five million!"


    At the same time, he shot Ste a venomous re.


    Ste, unfazed, calmly lifted her own paddle.


    "Ten million."


    In less than a minute, the price of the crown had soared to an astronomical figure.


    The crowd couldn''t help but turn to look at Ste, whispering among themselves, wondering just who this rich young woman was to bid sovishly.


    A dangerous glint shed in Jasper''s eyes. "Fifteen million!"


    Ste''s voice was as steady as ever. "Twenty million."


    Jasper was born into money, so he knew the game. He''d set his own limit for the crown at fifteen million. Any higher, and he simply wasn''t interested. It wasn''t that he couldn''t afford it, but the crown just wasn''t worth more.


    But now, with Ste driving the price up, something inside him ignited—pride,petitiveness, maybe even a touch of spite. His blood was starting to boil.


    Damn it, she used to be Haynie''s wife, so he''d always held back a little when dealing with her. But now she was just an ex, cast aside. Was he really going to let her win?


    Jasper ground his teeth. "Twenty-five million!"


    Haynes leaned over and murmured, "Jasper, this crown''s worth tops out at about thirteen million. If you overpay by a few million, fine, but doubling the price is just a loss."


    Rachel chimed in, her tone syrupy sweet, "Jasper, if Ms. Cameron wants it so badly, maybe you should just let her have it."


    Normally, Rachel wouldn''t have encouraged Jasper to spend so much on something so overpriced. But today was different-if Ste wanted something, Rachel was determined to snatch it away.


    Jasper''spetitive spirit only burned brighter.


    "The more she wants it, the less I''ll let her have it! I want her to realize that she can never beat real money."


    In the end, when the bidding hit fifty million, Ste stopped raising her paddle.


    Jasper, looking triumphant, lifted his chin high and shot Ste a smug look, like a rooster basking in victory.


    Ste''s expression didn''t change; she remained cool andposed.


    The auction staff approached Jasper with the tray. He personally picked up the crown and ced it on Rachel''s head.


    The third item was a jade bracelet.


    Although Jasper had recently recouped some funds and had a bit of cash to y with, dropping fifty million on the crown still stung.


    He''d actually wanted to pick up a few things for himself.


    When the jade bracelet came up, Jasper had initially decided not to bid. But then Ste raised her paddle.


    Jasper leaned over to Rachel. "Rachel, didn''t Ste smash your braceletst time? You haven''t been able to find a recement since, right? This one looks perfect-I promise, I''ll get it for you."


    Rachel put on a show of declining, but quickly fell silent. A free gift was nothing to turn down, especially since it was Jasper''s money, not hers.


    Haynes frowned. "Jasper, this bracelet''s worth tops out at around thirty million. Don''t go any higher than that."


    But before he''d even finished speaking, Ste''s voice rang out, slicing through the room like a de.


    "Fifty million."


    The hall fell silent. All eyes were on Ste.


    She''d just jumped from twenty million to fifty million in a single bid.


    Who was this woman? The daughter of some oil tycoon?


    Jasper stared at her in disbelief for a few seconds, then rallied. "Sixty million!"


    Ste''s response was as calm as a flowing river. "Eighty million." Jasper''s hand, halfway to raising his paddle, froze midair. Eighty million?