I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

Chapter 163 +25 BONUS George's cool gaze swept over Lauren's face . It carried a quiet dominance that seemed to weigh heavily on her . Then , he chuckled . " No need to be polite , Mr. Jamison . Whatever amount you bid , I'll top it . " Carter drew a deep breath . Perhaps the rivalry between men sparked something in him . He declared , " 150 million dollars ! " He raised the bid by 50 million dollars in one go . The auctioneer hesitated . " Any higher ? " Without a flicker of hesitation , George said , " 200 million dollars . Funded immediately .

" That meant that the money would be transferred the moment the auction ended , bypassing normal banking procedures . Everyone in the auction house fell quiet . 200 million dollars at an auction wasn't outrageous . But for a necklace whose historical value wasn't even particularly rare ... Carter clenched his fists . If he wanted to raise the bid amount again , it would be in increments of 50 million dollars . He gritted his teeth . " 300 million dollars ! " Lauren gasped , both shocked and thrilled . " Carter ... " She couldn't believe that he was willing to spend that much on her .

George's voice was calm as he said , " 400 million dollars . " Carter narrowed his eyes . If he stopped now , it would be a form of surrender . He raised his voice . " 500 million dollars ! " Just then , three sharp claps echoed . George turned around , smiling . " Congratulations , Mr. Jamison . You've won the treasure . " Carter's eyes stung . He realized that George had been deliberately driving up the price . That necklace wasn't worth 500 million dollars at all . The auctioneer instantly reacted . After three gavel strikes , he announced , " Congratulations to No.

250 for winning this necklace ! " As Rhea looked at George , a strange emotion fluttered inside her . 1/3 Chapter 163 Once the necklace was taken away, George stood and led Rhea backstage . By the time the auction ended , Carter went to swipe his card and collect the receipt . +25 BONUS His eyes met Rhea's , but the coldness in them was unmistakable . " You're really something . You actually teamed up with him to hike the price on me ? " George lounged on the couch , puffing on a cigarette . " Thank you for your support , Mr. Jamison .

Rhea made a hefty profit on her very first day as the owner of the auction house . This is a very promising start . " Owner of the auction house ? Carter and the others stared at Rhea in disbelief . Lauren was the first to speak . " She's the owner ? No way . " That was downright unbelievable . Carter said , " Mr. Snider , there's no need to put her name on your business for her sake . Your empire is vast . Don't misplace your trust . " He figured that George was just trying to bolster Rhea's image . George flicked the ash from his cigarette and only smiled .

At that moment , Colin said , " Ms. Ravelle is indeed the owner of our auction house . On behalf of the auction house , I thank you for your patronage and hope for your continued support . " Peter's expression froze . Even Sharon looked equally incredulous . Even as Lauren stepped out of the auction house clutching the box with the 500 - million - dollar necklace , she still hadn't fully processed what had just happened . She wasn't the only one . Carter couldn't believe it either . It would make sense if George had given the auction house to Rhea , but he definitely wasn't the former owner .

So how did Rhea become the owner ? From whom did she steal it ? Carter couldn't make sense of it . He was beginning to realize just how many secrets Rhea held - so many that he was close to losing count . " Carter ... " Lauren noticed Carter's expression . However , he didn't look at her . " I'm heading to the office . You should go home . " " Carter , I didn't even want this necklace that badly . I just ... " 2/3 Chapter 163 Carter closed his eyes . The money didn't matter . At that moment , his mind was full of Rhea . +25 BONUS He wondered what she was hiding from him .

Why , after leaving him , did it seem like her life was only getting better ? She claimed to love him , yet barely two days after the divorce , she was here in full splendor at an auction with George at her side . Why didn't she look sad at all ? Or had her feelings for him never been real ?