?Chapter 826:


    “Indeed, I am doing it on purpose,” Katie said bluntly. “If it ticks her off, that’s a win in my book. And I figured I’d help you blow off a little steam too.” She did not attempt to disguise her intentions.


    “Brendon, please talk some sense into her.” Ynda turned to him, making a mock attempt at seeking backup.


    But Brendon was still stuck on the memory of transferringpany shares to Christina, only for her to turn around and deny him the sight of the man she kept in her home.


    What was so special about that kept man that deserved her protection? And since keeping that mysterious man around, she couldn’t even scrape together enough to buy a stamp set.<fn98cf> Fresh chapters posted on </fn98cf>


    Just thinking about it made Brendon’s chest tighten with jealousy. With a frosty look, he said, “If Katie wants it that badly, let her have it.”


    “But—” Ynda started.


    “Stop defending Christina all the time. It’s getting on my nerves,” Brendon cut her off, his tone sharp.


    Seeing that he was truly annoyed, Ynda’s eyes welled up as she leaned in, wrapping herself around his arm. “I’m sorry, Brendon… Don’t be mad, okay?” She clung to his arm, gently swaying it, her voice sweet and coaxing. His irritation eased. He pulled her closer. Compared to Christina, who only ever infuriated him, Ynda felt soft, sweet, and obedient.


    Meanwhile, Katie, convinced that Christina was desperate for this statue, kept raising the bid without hesitation. She had no ns to win it—she just wanted to jack up the price and force Christina to bleed for it. If she could make Christina blow all her funds, it would be for the best.


    “Ny-nine million!” Katie called out proudly.


    Katie surmised that as long as Davina raised her paddle by one million, she would immediately drop out of the bidding war. That way, Christina would be stuck footing the bill for a statue with the staggering price of one million. It would definitely drive Christina mad.


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    The idea that she had been yed never crossed Katie’s mind. After all, Christina’s face looked stormy as she shot daggers at her.


    Katie wore a smug little smile, her chin tilted as she cast a deliberately mocking nce at Christina and Davina.


    Katie had fully expected them to jump in with a higher bid, but to her surprise, neither of them moved to raise the paddle.


    As the moments dragged on, Katie began to fidget, unease creeping in. “Raise the paddle! Raise the damn paddle!” she hissed inwardly, silently willing them to respond. But Christina and Davina sat perfectly still, unmoved. It looked like they had abandoned the bidding altogether.


    Katie froze, her confidence faltering. If they really backed out, then she’d be left holding the bag—and at a price so ridiculous that it made her stomach twist. Almost a hundred million! For a statue that wasn’t even remotely worth that kind of money!


    “Going once for ny-nine million…” the auctioneer intoned, preparing to bring the gavel down.


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