Often, the person who falls in love first ends up at a disadvantage.


    "80 million."Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Someone, not one of the people I''d bribed, upped the ante by ten million right on top of Kate''s bid. I nced around, trying to spot any of my nts.


    For the items leading up to Kate''s, I''d paid off a few bidders to drive up the prices, making her dig deeper into her pockets.


    "ude," she began, a hint of worry in her voice, "they''re driving up the price, I..."


    "100 million." ude didn''t respond directly, but his actions spoke volumes. He was willing to drop a cool hundred million for Kate, for that particr item. But then, someone from the VIP lounge upstairs threw down a bombshell bid of 200 million.


    A collective gasp swept through the crowd.


    "Could it be that person from the Hilton n?"


    I looked up, questioning. The Hilton n? Max had just left; could there really be another yer from the Hilton powerhouse?


    "Kate, if you like the design, we can find another one."


    ude didn''t continue the bidding war. Was he really that wary of the Hilton n''s heavyweight?


    Was he that intimidated by his uncle?


    "ude, but I really like it. Is it because the ck card is with ire? Can you talk to ire and get it back to buy this crown? You promised me the most spectacr wedding." I overheard them from behind.


    ude nced my way.


    I took out the ck card, gesturing that I was about to return it to him.


    But in this lifetime, he refused Kate. "The ck card is ire''s now. As for the crown, it seems my uncle is set on having it. I have no reason topete with him."


    Kate pressed her lips together, eventually managing apliant, "Okay, I''ve already got a lot today. Let''s forget the crown."


    In the end, the crown went to the Hilton n.


    And I kept the ck card, which seemed to burn in my hand.


    As the auction wrapped up, I left the venue, feeling somewhat lost. This version of ude was an enigma to me, truly iprehensible.


    He was thwarting my ns for revenge.


    Yet, in the past life, everything had turned sour because of him.


    When I got back to my apartment, ran into Max leaving. I managed a weak smile and entered my ce without wanting to ponder further.


    Who was Max, really?


    Did ude love me?


    This life was filled with too many mysteries.


    Ding-dong-


    The doorbell rang.


    At this hour, it had to be ude, probably upset I had left without a word.


    But when I opened the door, it was a delivery person from the auction house, handing over the items won on my behalf.


    Several were bids made by Kate without consulting me.


    "Ms. Floyd, this was won by Mr. Hart for you. He asked me to deliver it to your apartment."


    I nodded, epting the items without unwrapping them.


    Mocking myself, I had just been wondering about ude''s feelings for me If he truly cared, he wouldn''t have sent a delivery person; he''d


    havee himself.


    It was proof enough he didn''t love me.


    Maybe him giving me the ck card was his way of telling me that without him, I''d lose all my status


    and wealth, and be left to wallow in the mud.


    Lost in these thoughts, Kate''s call came through, on speaker: "ire, I got carried away today, I''m sorry. Could we meet up today?"


    Before I could answer, I heard ude''s voice in the background: "Kate, the towel?"


    Rushing to apologize, Kate added, "ire, ude''s taking a shower. I''ll bring him a towel, and let''s grab coffee tomorrow, okay?" ude was already spending the night there, apparently close enough to share showers.


    What was I still hesitating for?