Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Timothy’s gaze swept across Liam. “Raising the white flag already?”
The ball of fury erupted in Liam the moment he heard that. There was no way he would back down from it.
If Mia hadn’t pressed his hand down, he would’ve crushed Timothy’s ego!
She held Liam’s hand calmly. “We aren’t idiots that only know how to splurge money.¡®
Liam snorted coldly before breaking into a smile at Mia. “Mia’s right. You’re smart! He’s an idiot.”
Timothy, who successfully won the bid for the painting, could feel a tag reading “idiot” hanging over his neck.
He grasped his bidding number tightly, staring at the painting wordlessly. The triumph gave way to annoyance almost instantly.
At that moment, Maya spoke to an attendant. “Reserve the painting. We’ll pay for everything altogether later.”
Her gaze on Mia for a second as she added, “Auction is meant to be a competition. Timothy bought the painting for Mrs. Barrett Senior.”
Knowing that it was a gesture meant to save Timothy’s pride, Mia merely smiled.
Still, it didn’t quell the frustration bubbling in him.
Soon, the item on display was that diamond necklace with a minimum bid of 300 thousand dollars.
Liam blurted, “Mia, I’m going to buy it for you. You’ll look stunning with it!”
A sister¨Cfool definitely thought that anything on the face of the earth suited their sisters.
Before Mia could say anything, Maya raised her number. “400 thousand.”
Silence dawned upon Liam for a second when he heard that. He wondered, “Why is everyone stealing away my gift for Mia? Just when will they stop their games?”
He lifted his number. “500 thousand!”
Every bid increased by 100 thousand this time, once again receiving people’s attention.
Maya frowned, and then she forced a smile. “Do you like this necklace too, Mr. Lane?”
“Mia likes it, so don’t you dare raise your number again!” Failing to buy that painting was already annoying him enough.
She didn’t dare to challenge him. If he were to expose her true origin as an orphan, staying in Bern City would be impossible for her.
She barely maintained the smile on her face. “I shall back off then.”
Her gaze drew back to Timothy after she said that.
She thought that he should be smart enough to see that Mia was in a new relationship.
Now that Maya had announced her vanquishment, Liam thought that it would be his win for sure.
Until Timothy raised his number again. “One million.”
Even Mia stared at him incredulously, wondering if he was out of his mind.
The previous bid was merely 500 thousand dollars, but he doubled it!
Was he insane?
Shelly claimed in an undertone, “Ms. Lane, I’m pretty sure Timothy is set on buying you the necklace. Please be rest assured.”
An uneasy smile plastered on Maya’s face. Was Timothy really buying it for her?
She wasn’t confident about the answer, but a voice in her head told her that he was doing it for Mia.
Now, another man was treating Mia with care and love. Someone of high status as Timothy wouldn’t be able to stomach such humiliation, would he?
Things were getting interesting.
Meanwhile, Mia overheard the ladies¡® conversation. The corner of her lips twitched as she agreed with Shelly’s statement.
Mia could tell who Timothy was buying the necklace for.
Liam lifted his number again. “Two million.”
The atmosphere heightened to another level of excitement.
The bystanders were losing interest in the items on display. Rather, the competition was more enticing to speculate in comparison.
Mia’s heart palpitated when she heard the amount. She couldn’t understand why Liam joined Timothy’s antics.
She intended to stop Liam, but he simply raised her hand for the bid instead. Asking him to give up on that necklace was out of the question.
Soon, the bid skyrocketed to five million dollars.
Blood rushed up to her head, and her heart was on the verge of leaping out of her chest.
The five million dollars bid was from Liam. It was a huge number.
The sight of Liam holding Mia’s hand was an eyesore to Timothy, who then raised his number expressionlessly. “Ten million.”
The crowd surged into commotion.
Liam seethed at the thought of Timothy’s insanity.
Shelly jeered from behind, “Mia Bowen, it’s ten million now. Raise your number if you have the money. If you can’t cough up enough money, you’ll be detained here.”
The next thing that happened was Liam raising Mia’s hand. “Twelve million!”
Mia was stunned while he appeared rather calm. He didn’t lack money anyway.
As long as Mia took a liking to something, no one could take it away from her¨CLiam firmly believed so.
Although 12 million dollars was kinda far¨Cfetched, he had five brothers¨Cor more like ATMs¨Cto count on!
Timothy was equally taken aback. After all, it was such a huge amount of money.
Still, announcing defeat was not in his plans.
The host on stage appeared hesitant as well.
Soon, an attendant approached Liam. “Excuse me, sir. Since it involves a huge amount of money, we have to verify your funding to make sure that it’s fair.”
Shelly gloated. “Did I hit the bulls¨Ceye?”
Liam rose from his seat. “Let’s go. Where to?”
No one had verified his wealth status in Nord City before. Thus, it was normal for the people in Bern City to be oblivious to it.
Mia tagged along as well, with Timothy’s dark eyes observing her.
Jealousy turned Maya into a green¨Ceyed monster.
She knew Liam’s wealth very well. How could he lack money when the Lane family was backing him?
For Liam to spend 12 million dollars on that necklace for her? Mia’s lucky fate elicited envy in Maya.
Suppressing her jealousy from erupting, Maya noticed Timothy’s grim expression.
She added fuel to the fire. “Timothy, it seems like Ms. Bowen has found someone generous. But our family is a prestigious family in Nord City. I doubt my family would agree to their relationship.”
Shelly saw eye to eye with that. “I know, right? Her background is laid on the table, and yet she’s daydreaming of being a Cinderella. She should’ve known her place!”
“Enough!” He interrupted Shelly and strode away.
At the same time, Mia accompanied Liam to a VIP room.
He suggested, “Wait here, Mia. It’s just a trivial matter. Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you outside.” She didn’t enter the room as he told her, but it didn’t shake her concern off.
It was a staggering 12 million dollars!
If he didn’t have enough money, would he be detained?
Pacing back and forth didn’t help to smoothen the anxiety.
“What’s the matter you don’t have the money?” A man’s low voice sounded.
Mia’s head snapped to his. There was a pause before she asked, “If that’s the case, would you lend me some money?”
Her bravado provoked him. “Do I look like an idiot?”
A soft chuckle escaped her lips when she heard the word “idiot”. Marching forward, she primped his tie.
Stiffness riveted him at that spot. He lowered his gaze onto the crown of her head, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.