?Chapter 1732:


    “Three hundred million, perhaps?” Christina said lightly, a pleasant curve on her lips. “The Hewitt daughter’s ruby ring is worth at least that amount. Mr. Wade, we can’t allow the Martel or Hewitt families to eclipse us. If they do, we’ll be the ones others look down on.”


    Zahir had steeled himself to part with a grim one hundred million, but the figure she named sent a sharp jolt through him, intensifying his resistance. Spending such a sum felt like casting money into a bottomless pit, yielding nothing solid in return. The higher the amount, the more absurd he appeared. Hurling three hundred million into the sea might at least send up a dramatic ssh, but handing it over to the slums would earn him nothing more than a hollow reputation. In the end, any real payoff would likely benefit the Jones or Martel families—not him.


    “Bonnie, three hundred million is hardly a trivial figure,” Marsha said, forcing a strained smile onto her face.


    Inwardly, she seethed. That hateful Christina—always finding new ways to squeeze them dry. At thest auction, they had already spent an outrageous sum on the Elderroot Christina wanted. Now she was demanding another three hundred million for nothing at all. If this continued, the Wade family’s reserves wouldn’tst much longer.


    “It truly isn’t a small sum,” Christina murmured with a sigh, lowering her gaze in deliberate disappointment. “But the Wade family is forever living in the shadow of the Hewitts. I thought this time you might surpass them and reim your standing. What a shame. I even made a wager with Bain that you’d contribute at least three hundred million. If I won, I nned to have him marry La.”


    Her words instantly set the Wade family alight—especially La, whose eyes sparkled as she nearly sprang from her seat, barely able to contain her delight.


    Christina pressed on casually. “I believed we could truly be one family, but it seems that won’t happen after all.”


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    She was fully aware that the Wade family had long coveted the Jones family’s wealth. With bait this enticing, she doubted they could possibly resist. Even if the others managed restraint, La certainly wouldn’t.


    “Mom, Dad…” La turned toward Marsha and Zahir, her voice soft and pleading. “Three hundred million is a huge amount, but Bonnie’s right—we can’t afford to lose to the Hewitts. Besides, donating is a virtuous thing. What’s wrong with giving a little more? And most importantly, we should stand behind every choice Bonnie makes. As long as Bonnie is happy, any sum is worth it.”


    As she spoke, La gently tugged at Marsha’s arm. “Don’t you think so?” Her unease was in—she was desperate to sway her parents.


    If spending three hundred million could guarantee her marriage to Bain, it was a bargain beyond measure. Once she married into the Jones family, she stood to gain no less than five billion. No matter how she calcted it, the trade was overwhelmingly tempting. She couldn’t fathom why her parents hesitated.


    Jaxen, having failed to secure Christina himself, knew he now had to rely on La to gain entry into the Jones family first. After a brief pause, he voiced his agreement. “La is right. As long as Bonnie is satisfied, we should support herpletely.”


    He understood his parents’ misgivings, but this was a rare opportunity to win favor with the Jones family. Once La married into them, they could maneuver from the inside and quietly elerate their n to seize control. They had spent years plotting in secrecy and had already lost too much time. This was La’s ideal chance, and they could not afford to let it slip away.


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