Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 48

At the auction, the auctioneer moved through the early lots with practiced elegance. Neither Asher nor Drake showed interest until the pink diamond necklace appeared.

"Opening bid at £400,000," the auctioneer announced with polished precision.

Drake immediately raised his paddle. After several rounds, the price reached £600,000, most bidders falling away.

"£620,000," Drake called.

The auctioneer gestured elegantly. "£620,000. Shall we try £650,000?"

Asher raised his paddle with casual indifference.

"£650,000. Do we have any advance?"

Drake shot Asher a venomous glance before bidding again. A subtle war unfolded between them, the price climbing steadily.

At £700,000, Drake remained resolute. The necklace would be worth every penny if it helped secure Sterling Industries' investment. The old saying rang true - sometimes you had to spend money to make money.

"£750,000," Asher countered smoothly.

"£800,000," Drake snapped.

As Asher moved to bid again, Gabriella touched his arm. "Let it go. It's not worth this."

The necklace was barely worth half its current price, and she preferred the sapphire piece coming up later. There was no point in a petty bidding war with Drake.

Watching from beside Drake, Sienna smirked triumphantly in Gabriella's direction. Clearly her new man didn't value her enough to continue.

Later in the ladies' room, Gabriella was applying lipstick when Sienna sauntered up.

"My, my, how quickly you found a replacement," Sienna's reflection sneered. "Though Drake just spent £800,000 on a necklace for me, while yours couldn't be bothered. But then," she studied Gabriella through the mirror, "you're hardly worth the investment, are you?"

Gabriella finished her lipstick with steady hands. "Best of luck with that," she said simply, turning to leave. Sienna's words were meaningless now - like a small dog yapping at a distance.