Chapter 9

At the auction, Yvette was quick on the draw, raising her paddle right after Janice.

Round after round, Yvette outbid Janice for every item she wanted.

Yvette met Janice's questioning look with a curl of her red lips and a laugh that was both wild and proud. "Sorry, Janice. I'm getting married, and I need all these things."

Adrian chimed in, trying to cool things down. "Come on, let it go. Girls love their sparkles and frills; no need to make a big deal out of it."

Janice just flashed a subtle smile and looked away.

She had her eyes on the prize all along, the show-stopping wedding gown at the end of the auction. The other items? She was just there for the thrill of the game.

If Yvette wanted a bidding war, Janice was game to play along and drive up the stakes.

So, with each new item up for grabs, Janice was right there, paddle in the air.

Yvette was not about to back down. The two went back and forth, and before long, Yvette had snagged those pieces at prices that were through the roof, way more than they were worth.

The crowd was buzzing, throwing Yvette looks that were a mix of awe and something else.

Yvette was basking in the limelight, head held high, loving every second of it.

Adrian just leaned back, the picture of resignation, but his eyes told a different story: they were practically glowing with affection.

Finally, the moment of truth: the grand finale. The international designer's crowning achievement in bridal fashion was rolled out.

Yvette could not wait. Before Janice could even blink, Yvette's paddle shot up. "4.5 million dollars!" she called out.

Janice took her time, then lifted her paddle with ease. "7.5 million dollars."

Yvette spun around, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Janice, I need this dress for my wedding. You're not even getting married right now, so why not step aside for me?"

Janice just smiled, unfazed, and up went her paddle again. "10.5 million dollars."

The auctioneer was thrilled, hammer poised and voice soaring: "Ms. Douglas has gone up to 10.5 million dollars! Do I hear any advance on 10.5 million dollars? Going once for 10.5 million dollars!"

"You!" Yvette was seething, her face a picture of fury as she shot her bidding paddle into the air: "12 million dollars!"

Her glare at Janice was venomous. "That dress is mine. You're not even close to getting married, so why waste your time?"

Janice was the picture of calm, barely batting an eyelid as she lifted her paddle. "15 million dollars."

Then, Adrian was on edge, his grip on Janice's arm like a vice. He hissed, "Are you out of your mind? I get that you're eager to tie the knot, but does it have to be this blatant?"

Janice's smile was cryptic, her reply smooth as silk. "Some things money can't buy, and I'm using my own cash. How is that any of your concern?"

Adrian was speechless.

Yvette, fuming and stamping her foot, declared, "Alright, you want a showdown? Let's see who comes out on top!"

With that, she thrust her paddle up. "22.5 million dollars!"

The crowd gasped in disbelief.

The auctioneer, grinning from ear to ear, announced, "We have 22.5 million dollars from the lady here! Any further bids for 22.5 million dollars?"

Janice, cool as ever, switched her paddle to the other hand and raised it. "30 million dollars."

Yvette was hot on the heels with a shout, "33 million bucks!"

Janice was right on her tail, not giving an inch. "37.5 million!"

...

The whole room was electric, all eyes glued to the fierce bidding war between the two.

Yvette had just upped the ante to a cool 60 million when Janice looked ready to counter. That was when Adrian lost his cool. He snatched Janice up and hauled her out of the room.

"Janice, are you done playing games?

"Bidding a wedding dress up to 60 million? What's going through your head? You think if you drop a million on this dress, I'll be forced to marry you?

"You know, your little stunts are getting old! Marriage, marriage, marriage–is that all you can think about? How did I ever miss that you were this clueless?"

"Let me go!"

Janice was not having any of his rants. She wriggled and fought with all her might, her mind racing back to the auction. She had to win that dress, or she would be left with nothing for her wedding the next day!

However, Adrian was unyielding, gripping her so tight that her soft wrist started to show a ring of red.

Back in the fray, Yvette's bid sign did not waver.

The auctioneer was ready, hammer in hand. "60 million, going once, 60 million, going twice, 60 million..."

Yvette's smirk grew as the hammer hovered. Then, out of nowhere, an assistant in a slick black suit stepped up, his voice cutting through the tension: "Bid confirmed!"

"The wedding dress? Snagged by Graham Group's hotshot CEO!"

The room went dead quiet.

Everyone there was a big deal in Luminous City, but next to Jubilee City's elite Graham Group, they were nothing. Competing with them? Forget about it.

The auctioneer's gavel hit the block with a solid 'bang'. "Sold!"

Yvette's smile crumbled. She snatched up her purse and stormed out, shouldering past Janice with a hissed, "You did this!"

Adrian shot Janice a dirty look and snapped, "Nice job causing trouble!" before chasing after Yvette.

Before Janice could even blink, her phone chimed with two new texts.

[Whatever you want, consider it done.]

[Can't wait to see you tomorrow, my bride!]

Her mood did a 180, and a blush crept up her cheeks.