?Chapter 280:


    Ordinarily, Felix might have leveraged Wesley’s influential name to deter anypetition. Yet, the moment the bidder in Room 2 appeared, Felix caught a glimpse of Elena’s resolute expression and realized the usual tactics would not suffice here. This was aplication that required further guidance from Wesley.


    “Didn’t the Spencer Group back you up with funds?” The icy question came from the other end of the phone as Felix exined the situation. Wesley’s voice was devoid of warmth, making it clear that financial constraints were not an excuse—securing the etherscent vine was non-negotiable.


    With a hint of urgency, Felix informed him, “Sir, the individual bidding against us is Miss Harper.”


    A three-second silence stretched on the line. It was brief, but Felix didn’t miss the slight hitch in Wesley’s breath. He wasn’t surprised; Wesley always made exceptions for Elena.


    As expected, Felix soon heard Wesley’s crisp directive. “Let her have it.”


    With those words, he ended the call. The item was meant for her, after all.


    No one suspected that the enigmatic owner of Aureus Auction House was actually Wesley. As soon as he had seen the etherscent vine listed in the auction catalog, images of Elena’s captivating beauty came to mind. He knew this was something that would light up her eyes.


    This sparked the fierce bidding war between Room 2 and Room 5. Ultimately, Elena triumphed, iming the etherscent vine for thirty-two million.


    As the auction drew to a close, attendants approached Room 2, bearing the treasures Elena had won.


    “Miss, these are the items you sessfully bid on. Your totales to thirty-four point five million. Will you be paying by card or check?”


    Karen folded her arms, shooting Elena a cold re, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “It’d be downright embarrassing if you couldn’t pay up.” Elena let out a derisive snort. Karen’s spiteful expression grated on her nerves; she had been much more tolerable when she used to fawn over her for an autograph.


    Noticing the scoff, Karen snapped back irritably, “What’s that sound for? Am I wrong? Sure, the Harper Group has deep pockets, but don’t mistake it for your own fortune—it’s your brothers’.”


    Karen’s confidence came from something she’d heard from Elyse—Elena supposedly didn’t have much pocket money. ording to Elyse, the Harpers had little regard for the women in their family, giving out meager allowances.


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    Karen assumed Elena was bluffing, eager to see her embarrassed. But Elena, unfazed, coolly produced a ck card and set it down.


    “A ck card with no limit?” Karen’s voice faltered, disbelief etched across her face. “How on earth do you have one of these?”


    Wesley also owned such a card—a rarity that had long been the envy of Karen, though he never paid her any attention. Only a select few in the world enjoyed such financial freedom, and a sudden suspicion flickered in Karen’s mind. Could Wesley have given it to Elena?


    What Karen had hoped would be a humiliating scene now fueled a storm within her. The realization clenched her fists so tightly that her nails left marks in her palms.


    “Spending money recklessly at the auction using someone else’s card, Elena—don’t you think that’s shameful? You shouldn’t be using a Spencer family card!”


    Karen was certain it was Wesley’s ck card, and driven by shock and envy, she tried to grab it.


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