?Chapter 100:


    Ellie toyed with the paddle, a mischievous glint in her eye, as if plotting a minor scheme.


    “Mr. Thorpe, I’m quite skilled at spending. Are you sure?”


    Kaiden’sugh carried a challenge, as if daring her to prove it.


    Erick, unable to hear their exchange, could only watch as Ellie and Kaiden shared a close, seemingly intimate conversation. His previous taunt now seemed self-mocking.


    “Erick?” Demi’s voice,ced with suspicion, broke his trance.


    Her insecurities about Erick’s past with Ellie,bined with Ellie’s allure, always lingered.


    Erick turned his attention to Demi, reassuringly squeezing her hand. “Bid on whatever you like, Demi. It’s on me.”


    Erick’s assurance was met with a delighted kiss from Demi. “You’re the best, Erick! I love you!”


    Erick vividly recalled that despite Kaiden’s significant shareholding in the Thorpe Group, this year’s dividends hadn’t been distributed yet. He surmised that Kaiden,cking a dominant role in the family, might not have the means topete in such a high-end auction, where starting bids were in the millions.


    His n was to prove to Ellie that her admired man couldn’t afford such luxuries, making her witness Demi, whom he supported, indulging in extravagant purchases. He intended to expose Kaiden as ineffectual.


    Nearby attendees sensed the tension between the four of them but were unclear about the identity of the man in the wheelchair. They refrained from intervening.


    As the auction began, Ellie found little interest in the antique calligraphy and paintings.


    However, the arrival of a rare, limited-edition leather bag stirred excitement among the women present.


    Demi, bidding aggressively, drove the price of the bag, initially worth less than ten million, up to thirty million.


    “The bid stands at thirty million fordy number seven,” the auctioneer announced, referring to Demi.


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    At this moment, Ellie, who had been observing quietly, raised her paddle, each lift typically indicating a two-million increment.


    Demi, visibly annoyed, countered with a higher bid.


    Ellie immediately raised her paddle again.


    In mere seconds, the bid escted from thirty to forty million. Demi, visibly irritated, half-threatened Ellie. “Do you actually have the funds, Ellie? Don’t let your jealousy get the better of you.”


    Ellie, unfazed, countered, “Running low on funds, Miss Gordon?” Her words carried a taunting edge.


    Erick, with an arm around Demi’s waist and a slight tilt of his chin, addressed Ellie confidently, “I’ll cover the cost.”


    His intention was to disy to Ellie thevish lifestyle Demi enjoyed with him, where she could have anything she desired.


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