Chapter 184

Fiona Von's words instantly chilled Lucy White's gaze.

"The auction rules are simple—highest bidder wins," Lucy replied with a cold smile, her crimson lips curving though her eyes remained icy. "If it's too expensive for you, feel free to drop out."

She hadn't planned to interfere, but Fiona's arrogant demeanor was insufferable.

Did this woman really think she was untouchable?

Lucy's fingers brushed lightly over her small handbag, and a wisp of miasmic energy slithered unseen into Fiona's body.

If this woman relied on blood magic to gamble on jade, Lucy would make sure she never could again.

Fiona shuddered but dismissed it as the venue's air conditioning.

"You really want to cross me?" Fiona hissed, keeping her voice low to avoid drawing Ethan Smith and Michael Johnson's attention.

Lucy chuckled. "You overestimate your importance, Fiona."

"Take your brother's advice and look in the mirror first," she added breezily, each word a deliberate stab. "Self-awareness is a virtue."

Fiona's face darkened with rage. "You'll regret this!"

Just a minor celebrity—she had plenty of ways to ruin her.

The bidding war escalated until the price hit three million, which Lucy secured effortlessly.

Fiona tried to counter, but Frederick Von and their gemologist stopped her.

"Three million is excessive," Frederick frowned.

Fiona shot Lucy a venomous glare, unaware that the jade inside that rough stone was far more valuable than she imagined. Lucy had just made an incredible profit.

Lucy abstained from the seventh and tenth lots, but Evan York aggressively outbid the Von family for both.

Three consecutive losses left the Vons fuming.

"Dad, we have to win the next one," Fiona insisted urgently.

Frederick sighed. "Your uncles are watching our spending. If we bid too high, they'll use it against us."

"But if we uncover premium jade, what can they say?" Fiona argued confidently.

After a moment's hesitation, Frederick agreed.

Then, without warning, Fiona's head throbbed violently, and the small wooden barrel at her waist trembled uncontrollably. Gritting her teeth, she muttered an incantation and tossed a black pill inside.

The familiar finally stilled, and her pain gradually subsided—but an inexplicable dread settled in her chest.

When the second batch of rough stones was unveiled, the crowd surged forward to inspect them.

Lucy shook her head after a brief assessment and subtly signaled Ethan, who relayed the best picks to Evan.

Meanwhile, Fiona pressed her palm against a stone, waiting in vain for her familiar's guidance.

"Tell me which one has jade!" she mentally screamed.

All she received was a weak "hurts" before the connection went silent.

Panic set in.

When the five-minute window ended, Fiona returned to her seat pale-faced.

"Which ones should we bid on?" Frederick asked.

She bit her lip. "This batch... isn't promising. Let the gemologist decide."

Frederick trusted her judgment—only to walk away nearly empty-handed. Evan, following Ethan's tips, secured several high-quality stones.

Lucy participated in five more auctions before withdrawing. She knew when to quit.

Fiona, however, was spiraling.

No matter how she threatened or coaxed, her familiar refused to cooperate.

"Dad, I feel dizzy—" Her face drained of color before she collapsed.

Frederick shouted for help as attendants rushed her to the hospital.

Lucy watched coldly.

Fiona had no one to blame but herself.

Elsewhere, Lily Green—relying on "borrowed" millions—bid on stones purely by instinct.

Lucy attempted to disrupt her with miasma, only to find Lily's luck neutralizing it effortlessly.

Typical protagonist光环.

But it didn't matter. Once Lily's luck waned further...

Lucy could be patient.

That day wouldn't be long.