Amy didn't even raise her paddle!

Nathan sat frozen, momentarily thrown off balance.

Leaning toward Alexander, he muttered under his breath, "Alex, Amy's not bidding at all. Should I push the price up just to mess with her?"

Alexander gave him a dismissive glance. "Pathetic."

Nathan smirked, undeterred. "Come on, she deserves it after everything! Just give me a strategy—how do I get under her skin?"

It was painfully obvious Nathan was no match for Amy's sharp mind.

Normally, Alexander wouldn't indulge such petty games. But tonight, the memory of Amy's confident, dazzling smile from earlier flashed in his mind. His expression darkened briefly.

Since leaving him, she hadn't shown a single sign of suffering. Instead, she'd arrived at the auction on Sebastian Kingsley's arm, turning heads like she owned the place—like she was flourishing without him.

And yet...

A cold smirk curled at the edge of Alexander's lips.

If she was truly doing so well, she wouldn't need to flaunt herself in front of him.

After a pause, Alexander finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "Bid once—modestly. If she counters, you'll know she's targeting you."

Nathan's eyes gleamed with realization.

Of course. Why hadn't he thought of that?

Following Alexander's advice, he placed a cautious bid—just high enough to test the waters but low enough that if Amy ignored it, someone else would outbid him anyway. No real risk.

Sure enough, the moment his bid was called, Amy raised her paddle without hesitation.

So she was gunning for him!

Nathan's grin turned predatory.

If she wanted to play, he'd make sure she paid dearly for it.

This time, he was smarter—no dramatic million-dollar jumps. He kept each increase under five hundred thousand, dragging the bidding out.

When the price finally doubled the vase's actual worth, Nathan dropped out with a satisfied smirk.

Amy won the vase for six million.

Nathan could barely contain his glee. He waited eagerly for her regret, for that confident mask to crack—for tears, frustration, anything.

But Amy simply accepted the vase from the attendant with flawless composure, handing over the payment without blinking.

Samantha took the vase with exaggerated awe. "Six million for this? That's insane!"

Amy shrugged. "For this auction, it's actually reasonable."

Sebastian examined the piece, then nodded. "Slightly overpriced, but the craftsmanship is impeccable. It'll appreciate."

Samantha lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Mr. Kingsley, no need to sugarcoat it. Celeste never wanted this—she only bid because Nathan was being insufferable."

Sebastian's lips curved into an indulgent smile. "It's fine. Celeste can buy whatever she likes tonight. I'll cover it."

The three of them laughed, utterly unbothered.

Nathan's face twisted with fury. "Using a man's money? Disgusting!"

Beside him, Victoria said coolly, "Six million is nothing to a man like Sebastian."

Nathan shot her a glare. "If six million is pocket change, what's a hundred million to him?"

Victoria's eyes widened. "Nathan, you're not thinking—"

He sneered. "Let's see if Sebastian can afford to buy out the entire auction just to spoil her."

He still had funds, but even he wouldn't recklessly drop ten million on a single piece.

Yet the sight of Amy's unshaken confidence made his blood boil.

This wasn't over.