The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 317

"Damn it! That obnoxious woman actually dares to challenge us?" Jasper's face twisted with annoyance as he ground his teeth. "Haynie, keep raising the bid! I refuse to believe she can outmatch you!"

Stella's voice was calm but clear. "My budget is eighty million. If Mr. O'Brien bids higher than that, the necklace is his. But if his budget falls short, he shouldn't bother competing with me."

She glanced at Haynes and offered a soft, almost teasing smile.

"Either way, you won't win against me."

"Eighty million?!" Jasper nearly burst out laughing. His tone was thick with ridicule. "Stella, you must be dreaming. With your shabby finances, could you even cough up eighty thousand on your own if it weren't for a man backing you?"

Stella's eyes flickered as she looked at him. "Since you're so impressive, Mr.

Wilkinson, why don't you bid the eighty million yourself?"

Jasper opened his mouth but faltered, lost for words.

million was

he'd put on a show at that

he couldn't believe Stella had that kind

You're trying to trick us, just like before-drive the price up and then drop out at the last second

place, triumphant. "Stella, you

"Mr. Wilkinson, you should watch what you say. Anyone can eat a meal as they please, but you

high on what I consider worthwhile, and if something exceeds my limit, I simply stop. By your logic, does that mean anyone who ever drops

across her lips. "I've won more tonight

can afford all that? Please, you're just living off

languid voice drifted through the room. "Mr. Wilkinson, not every woman needs a man to buy

herself. I had nothing to do with it. So perhaps you shouldn't be so

women you look down on might just

the women in the room, while any remaining goodwill for

the crowd. "Isn't that guy's last name Wilkinson? With an attitude like that, I need to warn my friends-never

head of our group. If this guy can't respect women, there's no way we're