Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 86: A Newcomer

"Pay attention," Steve interrupted smoothly, still holding her wrist, prompting her to look ahead.

"Nat," Mia murmured helplessly, hoping to get her out of here.

She was sure, no one would bid on Natalie, leaving her embarrassed in front of hall full of entire business world or rather a scum would bid on her.

"She is strong enough to deal with it. Don’t worry," Steve assured, though his voice remained cold and far from any genuine concern.

Mia shot him a glare. "I don’t need you to tell me that. And if you think you can mess with this best friend of mine, then you can dream on. Natalie is not like that slut Nora...Ugh..."

The grip on her wrist tightened the next moment, making her wince in pain. Steve’s calm facade slipping for just a moment as his eyes flashed with anger.

Mia, ever defiant, didn’t back down. "Are you angry because I said my best friend is out of your reach, or because I called your precious ’love’ a slut?"

Steve’s eyes darkened with anger, but before he could respond, the emcee’s voice and a loud cheer pulled their attention back to the stage.

"Five hundred million for Ms. Briena! That’s a new record, even beating Mr. Davis’s bid. Mr. Ivan Brown, you sure love your fiancée! We can all see it!"

The crowd erupted into applause, cheering for Ivan and Briena.

Ivan remained calm and composed in his place, seemingly enjoying the attention and praise and it was all thanks to Briena. He could see the men around him felt envious of him for having a beautiful and capable woman like Briena with him.

so your friend Ivan could swoop in and be the

cold, mocking glare met hers. "Would you rather

low but fierce. She glanced at Natalie, thinking, If only I could

with Mr. and Mrs. Brown," the emcee teased,

blushed slightly at being called "Mrs. Brown," her shy

emcee, sensing the energy, continued. "Anyone willing to bid higher? This is the last chance to claim the honor of the first dance of the evening. Ms. Briena and Ms.

followed. No one in the hall moved, the lack of response making it painfully clear that no one wanted to associate with Natalie, the woman tarnished by

bid on two other women, silently thanked his stars. He saved his family image by bidding already, and

probably have bid on that troublemaker, given his recent interest in Natalie Ford. Thank God he chose not to come tonight. I want

stood there, unmoved by

if anyone else is interested in bidding

"One billion."

imposing man in an expensive

in the hall. who is this man who is bidding this high for

the crowd’s. She didn’t recognize him, and neither did anyone else. The rich, confident figure seemed to

bothering to pay attention. But at the same time she was thankful that he

equally perplexed. None of them had seen this man before, which made his sudden appearance all the

hands casually tucked into his pockets, his gaze fixed squarely on the center of the hall, where

Sephina exchanged proud glances. The fact that another wealthy bidder had taken an interest in Briena only inflated their

she, Mother?" Clara chirped, practically

granddaughter was always meant to be extraordinary," Sephina added, clearly taking credit for Briena’s allure. "I’ve always doted on her for a