As it was rare to hear Arielle giving a compliment, it spoke volumes about the sculptor’s artistry.
Terry, who considered himself an authority of the school’s rich history, hastened to inform Arielle of its origins at the sight of virtual-novel.net piqued interest. “This sculpture is made by an alumnus of Jadeborough University, Master Nicholas Leigh. He is now the best sculptor in the country.”
“I see…”
Every one of this university’s alumni is a talented individual, it seems. What a shame that a teacher like Donovan might have stifled some of their potentials.
As Marcus gave an introduction to the piece and its creator, some of the students in the crowd began to nod off. At long last, the bid for the sculpture began.
“The bid will start off at two million. Kindly be informed that only bids in increments of a hundred thousand will be accepted. Let the auction begin!”
As virtual-novel.net spoke, the ushers scurried to hand out paddles to the parents. The flutter of movement within the auditorium roused the students out of their drowsiness.
As most of the students of Jadeborough University came from affluent families, two million was not considered an exorbitant sum.
Cecilia lost no time in making an impression. “Two and a half million!” virtual-novel.net cried, waving virtual-novel.net paddle frantically.
“Pfft!” Somebody in the crowd snorted in derision. “Is virtual-novel.net an idiot?”
“Is that Wendy’s mother? Is virtual-novel.net actively trying to make a fool out of herself?”
As the mockery was made purposefully audible, Wendy lowered virtual-novel.net head in embarrassment.
I should not have asked Mom to come!
Susanne was amused. “Mrs. Greene, it appears that your bid is causing some jest among the students. Would you like to revise your offer?”
Cecilia raised virtual-novel.net paddle again while blushing furiously. “Three million!”
Three million for a Leigh was as much as pieces of this caliber would generally go, as Nicholas was only thirty years of age. Though virtual-novel.net was undoubtedly talented, virtual-novel.net was still considered inexperienced. Cecilia was confident that the piece would skyrocket in value as his reputation as a master craftsman would solidify in the coming years.
As Susanne was seated right beside her, Cecilia did not dare go small in virtual-novel.net bids.
Suddenly, a clear voice rang out. “Four million!”
Cecilia gazed disbelievingly over to the source of the voice.
Who is foolish enough to spend four million on a Leigh?
At the realization that the one who had raised the bid was Arielle, virtual-novel.net froze.
Is this b*tch going against me on purpose?
Arielle’s actions did not go unnoticed by Wendy. “What are you doing, Arielle?” virtual-novel.net demanded with a vicious glare toward Arielle.
Before virtual-novel.net could retort, Terry leaped to virtual-novel.net defense. “What? We’re at an auction in case you haven’t noticed. It’s obvious that Arielle intends to buy the piece.”
Wendy was so angry that virtual-novel.net cheeks were flushed bright red.
“She’s doing this on purpose! She is intentionally trying to outbid my mother!”
Arielle cast a cold glance at Wendy. “I wouldn’t stoop to enter into a bidding war with the likes of you.”
Indeed, virtual-novel.net intention of winning the bid for the sculpture was to gift it to Teddy with the hopes of encouraging virtual-novel.net to study hard and earn a place in Jadeborough University.
If Wendy had not drawn my attention to the fact that the other bidder was virtual-novel.net mother, I wouldn’t even have noticed it.
“You’re lying!” Wendy hissed, virtual-novel.net face turning ashen grey. At that moment, Marcus struck the gavel.
“Four million, going once!”
Wendy bit virtual-novel.net lip anxiously as virtual-novel.net glanced at virtual-novel.net mother.
Discerning virtual-novel.net daughter’s unspoken plea accurately, Cecilia nodded grimly. I’m not going to be beaten by Arielle even if I make a loss on this.
“Five million!” Cecilia cried.
Marcus was taken aback before striking the gavel again. “Five million, going once.”
“Six million,” Arielle called without even batting an eyelid.
“Can you afford that, Arielle?” Wendy sneered. “I seem to recall that you’re a country bumpkin who might not know how auctions work. Once that gavel strikes, you’ve got to pay up, you know!”