No Strings Attached

Every word she uttered was a precision strike to Clara's rawest nerve. She knew what mattered most to Clara, and she relished the thought of watching her unravel. But after what felt like an eternity of waiting, Clara hadn't so much as batted an eyelash. Her gaze was fixed firmly on Della.

With a playful pinch to Della's chubby cheek, Clara chuckled, "In the dead of winter and we've got a fly buzzing around, huh? Don't worry, Della. Your godmommy will grab the fly swatter and take care of it." Della seemed to grasp her meaning, cooing affirmatively.

Christy chimed in with a smirk, "Looks like this fly is really bugging us, huh? Even my little angel wants to shoo her away."

Heidi was so livid. She felt like she could spit blood. Her fists clenched at her sides, she turned and plunked down in the seat in front of Clara.

The auction kicked off with an assortment of trinkets. Clara casually bid on a few, planning to gift them to colleagues. When a pair of Dreamy Celestial Earrings appeared on the big screen, Clara's eyes sparkled with interest.

pearls, the earrings' design drew inspiration from the stars. They shimmered with a hazy, mystical light reminiscent of a nebulous

to snag them for Sasha as a New Year's present. Without hesitation, she raised

her lips and lifted her own paddle for $200,000. Anything Clara wanted, Heidi was determined to deny

skyrocketing to $2 million,

sly smile, Clara said, "Ms. Heidi, I'm quite fond of these earrings. Would you

back, Heidi flatly refused, "Sorry, I'm quite smitten with them myself. I'm set on

that case, I won't hold back." She shot her paddle up for $3 million, inciting a wave of

in frustration. Just as she was about to bid again, her assistant interjected. "Ms.

Clara?"

soft chuckle came from behind. Clara, cradling Della, said with a smile, "Della, someone's spending $4 million on a