Chapter 336

Isabella Evans suddenly realized she had squandered thirty-four million dollars just to spite Sophia Laurent.

The twenty million from the Evans family was long gone. Even Gabrielle Winston's fourteen million had been drained.

In the auction hall, bidding for the ruby necklace continued to climb.

"Thirty-one million."

Amidst the flurry of raised paddles, Isabella gritted her teeth and called out, "Thirty-six million."

She upped the bid by five million in one go, hoping to intimidate other bidders.

The tactic worked.

Many buyers shook their heads and withdrew.

News of Isabella's reckless bidding spree had already spread through elite circles.

She had been paying twenty, even thirty times the market value for items, earning her the reputation of the auction house's "madwoman."

Even Sophia, who had been on a winning streak, had backed down against her.

Though the antique necklace was exquisite, no one wanted to challenge a madwoman.

Seeing the crowd retreat, Isabella exhaled in quiet relief.

She had gambled and won.

The auctioneer began the countdown. "Thirty-six million, going once... Thirty-six million, going twice—"

"Forty million."

A cool, feminine voice cut through the room.

All eyes turned toward the source.

Sophia sat poised in her seat, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Her bright eyes glittered under the chandeliers.

Isabella's face paled.

Forty million—she couldn't possibly match that.

Only then did the truth crash down on her.