Chapter 27
Chapter 27:
“Eighty million!” His voice rang through the hall, eliciting an audible gasp from the crowd.
The atmosphere buzzed with bewilderment. Who were these two? Did they own a mint? A gold mine, perhaps?
Brody was visibly on edge, his fingers clutching the armrest tightly. “Yelena, we’ve long hit the fifty-million ceiling! This is insane. We can’t keep up p>
Yelena’s gaze flickered toward the stage, her expression as composed as ever, though her eyes narrowed slightly. She knew Austin was resolved to have the jade, and with the Barton family’s limitless wealth, he could afford to play this game indefinitely.
Her lips curved faintly, a whisper slipping out as she stared into the competition. “Austin Barton, is it? I’ll remember that name p>
Though her words were soft, almost undetectable, they held an underlying determination.
Inaudible, they carried a chill that made Brody shudder involuntarily. This wasn’t over—not by a long shot.
Brody sighed quietly to himself, unable to suppress a flicker of pity for Austin. Yelena had marked him as an enemy now, and she wasn’t the kind of person to forgive or forget easily. If Austin ever came seeking her help… well, he’d need all the luck he could muster.
Yelena rose from her seat, her posture rigid and her presence icy. Without a word, she turned and strode out of the auction, the air around her practically crackling with her displeasure.
John noticed her exit and nudged Austin, astonishment clear in his expression. “Hey, Austin, the person you were bidding against—she’s leaving. Look over there, that young girl p>
Austin turned his gaze in time to catch the faintest glimpse of her retreating figure. He froze, a flicker of familiarity tugging at his thoughts. Had he seen her before? For a brief, inexplicable moment, he felt an urge to follow her, to stop her from leaving. But before he could act, she was gone.
Ⓜore c𝐡apters @
Yelena and Brody left the club together. The tension in her demeanor was palpable, her frustration written in every step. Brody, knowing her well, spoke gently, trying to diffuse the moment.
“Don’t let it bother you, Yelena. There will be other treasures. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for something even better p>
Yelena didn’t respond, but her curt nod was enough to convey that she had heard him. At the club’s entrance, the two parted ways.
Yelena checked her phone. It was late, and she needed to get home soon before her mother started worrying. Just as Yelena turned to leave, a group of young men stumbled out of the club, their dyed bright hair a disheveled mess, and the stench of alcohol thick in the air.
Clearly intoxicated, they swayed on their feet, struggling to maintain balance. Their hazy eyes lit up when they saw Yelena, and they swaggered over, blocking her path. Sleazy grins spread across their faces as they ogled her, taking in her every feature.
in her youthful features and the air of innocence she carried. “Hey, princess,” one slurred, his grin widening. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing out here all alone this late p>
“Yeah,” another chimed in, leering. “Why don’t you come with us? We’ll treat you to a real nice meal p>