<b>Chapter </b><b>92 </b>


    Ashton didn’t say anything aher hearing that. He just looked Briar with a knowing smile that felt strangely wounded.


    Briar said nothing


    She thought, “What’s with that aggrieved look? Don’t think your puppy dog eyes will guilt–trip me. I‘


    Briar said, “Let me treat you to ate–night supper after this.”


    Ashton leaned in and asked in his deep, maic voice, “You’re treating?”


    Briar sighed. “Yeah, I’m treating.”


    She’d already been caught red–handed<b>. </b>She Had no choice.


    Only then did Ashton smile. “Alright, Invite your two friends too.”


    Briar’s eyes dropped slightly. Hershes veiled the warlness shing in her eyes. “Okay.”


    To the stunned onlookers, Ashton–the famously untouchable heir–sat shoulder–to–shoulder with a young woman, whispering like lovers. That alone was enough to shock everyone present


    If auction rules hadn’t banned phones<b>, </b>some people would’ve risked being gged by Ashton’s bodyguards just to snap a photo of the


    <b>moment</b>.


    If that photo got out, it would shock many people.


    Still, out of fear of Ashton’s reputation, most people only dared sneak <b>nces </b>from the corners of their eyes. No one stared directly.


    Even so, Briar could still sense the countless eyes on her from all directions.


    Luckily, at that moment, music started ying from the stage. The auction was officially beginning


    <b>Briar </b>acted like her attention had been diverted, staring at the stage like a curious little newbie.


    “Distinguished guests, wee to tonight’s event. The auction will begin shortly. Please bid respectfully andpete fairly.


    “Now, let’s bring out our first item. An ancient yellow–green zed ceramic vase from the 1700s. I believe many of you are already familiar with this item’s history, so we won’t go into too much detail. We’ll start the bidding at 1.2 million dors.”


    The host’s sweet voice echoed through every corner of the auction hall.


    With such a high starting price for the first item, everyone’s anticipation for the auction only increased.


    Everyone knew that the underground auction house only <b>presented </b>authentic items. As soon as the host finished, people started bidding


    “1.3 million dors!”


    “1.4 million dors!”


    “1.5 million dors!”


    The guests here were all wealthy tycoons from Shoneport or other cities. They had fought tooth and nail to obtain membership to the auction house, and none of them nned to leave empty–handed. The bidding quickly became fierce.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    Briar listened and watched with curiosity, perfectly ying the role of an innocent and inexperienced young prt.


    Ashton, watching her fascinated expression, handed her his bidding paddle. “Do you like it? If you do, we can bid too. The highest estimated price is around 2.8 million dors. As long <b>as </b>it doesn’t exceed 3 million dors, feel free to bid.”


    On the <b>side</b>, Brandon and Morton couldn’t help twitching at the corners of their mouths.


    The top price was 2.8 million dors, and Ashton was willing to shell out more money just to please Briar.


    As expected, chasing a girl was expensive. And this was before Ashton even made his feelings clear.


    Fortunately, for someone with assets in the hundreds of millions, 3 million dors was nothing to Ashton


    Briar shook her head. “I don’t like fragile things like vases.”


    Ashton then pulled out the auction catalog. “Then which item caught your eye?”


    Briar didn’t hesitate. She flipped to thest page and pointed at the picture of the frostworm. “I like this one.”


    Ashton nodded. “Alright, it’s


    s yours then.”


    The Trostworm was a rare medicinal ingredient. Since Briar was studying traditional medicine, it wasn’t surprising that she wanted it.


    “The starting <b>price </b>is 3 million dors. Estimated highest bid around 15 million dors.


    As he spoke, Ashton was about to pull out his card when suddenly, a soft, cool hand rested on the back of his. His movements paused, and he turned to meet Briar’s bright eyes. She didn’t seem to notice the subtle stiffness in his body. Smiling sweetly, she said, “Mr. Wade, I brought


    money.”


    Then, she pulled her hand back, opened her backpack, and took out the bank card she’d been <b>using </b>as a bookmark in her medical textbook. She waved it in front of him. “There’s 18 million dors in here. It’s enough,”


    Ashton’s gaze lingered on her fingers holding the card. “Are you trying to distance yourself from me?”


    “<b>Nope</b>.” Briar shook her <b>head </b>and leaned in mysteriously, lowering her voice to exin, “The frostworm can be used to improve Mr. Griffin Wade’s health, I n to buy it, then sell it to you, for a tidy profit.”


    At thest words, “tidy profit,” her eyes crinkled withughter.


    Ashton was amused by this little money grubber’s greedy expression. He nodded. “Alright. I’ll wait for it.”


    It was the first time someone had tried to openly scam Ashton, and yet he was in a great mood.


    ning from the side, almost covered his face in secondhand embarrassment.


    Brandon, listening


    There is doubt, tekten war tata on his way to haramian – kanalers rom:


    E