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.

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

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

heard her voice, she quirked her lips and lifted her own paddle for $200,000. Anything Clara wanted, Heidi was determined

bidding sent the earrings' price skyrocketing to

"Ms. Heidi, I'm quite fond of these earrings. Would

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

curled into a half-smirk. "In that case, I won't hold back." She shot her paddle up for $3 million, inciting a wave of gasps through the

to bid again, her assistant interjected. "Ms. Heidi, our funds are running

lose to Clara?" After saying

a soft chuckle came from behind. Clara, cradling Della, said with a smile, "Della, someone's spending $4 million on a pair of earrings. Isn't that silly? We won't