No Wife, No Life Chapter 33

The auctioneer was buzzing with excitement as the bidding war heated up. The more intense the bids, the fatter his paycheck.

He shot a glance at Emily, then at Harper, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Well, with two gorgeous ladies like you, it's no surprise you're both fighting for true love."

Harper ignored his comment, her eyes locked on Emily.

Her stare was so fierce it could almost set something on fire.

This time, Emily didn't back down. She met Harper's gaze and gave a slight smile.

She parted her lips and calmly said, "Fifty million dollars!"

The crowd gasped in disbelief.

Fifty million dollars was a jaw-dropping amount, enough to scare off most bidders.

Even those who could afford it thought it was too steep.

People shook their heads and lowered their paddles.

Now, it was just Harper left in the game.

Fifty million dollars was a huge sum to Harper.

Harper had already crunched the numbers. She had twenty million in cash, and if she sold her apartment, she could scrape together another ten million. Thirty million was her max.

But she hadn't expected Emily to jump to fifty million dollars.

Emily was extremely shameless. The necklace had originally been sold by her, and now she wanted Alex to buy it back for her.

In this way, First Love would still be hers, and she'd make a killing.

Harper's anger flared as she glared at Emily's smug face.

Suddenly, Harper stood up and shouted, "Sixty million dollars!"

The auctioneer's jaw nearly hit the floor.

"Sixty million dollars! This lovely lady bids sixty million dollars." His voice was hoarse with excitement. 

Emily was floored and she looked to Alex for help.

Alex had already set her limit at fifty million dollars.

Emily had confidently bid fifty million, thinking she had it in the bag.

She hadn't expected Harper to be so determined and fearless, willing to go broke for this piece.

"Alex, what do we do?"

Emily's earlier confidence vanished, replaced by a look of helplessness, like a lost kitten.

Without Alex's backing, she was nothing.

Alex sat there, stone-faced, but inside, he was torn.

He had thought Harper would stop at thirty million dollars, so he had given Emily a limit of fifty million.

But Harper was no longer the woman he once knew. She was now aggressive and unyielding.

The Harper he knew was rational and never acted on impulse.

His certainty and control over Harper had crumbled, leaving him feeling powerless and frustrated.

"Alex, is Harper so desperate to get First Love because she met Mr. Elikin?"

Emily's soft voice felt like a splash of cold water to Alex.

Alex couldn't help but wonder: could it be that Harper was so eager because she had met Caden and wanted to prove her feelings?

Alex's lips curled into a cold smile as he slowly raised a finger.

Emily's eyes widened in shock, speechless for a moment.

The auctioneer quickly noticed and announced, "One hundred million dollars! This gentleman bids one hundred million dollars!"

The room fell silent.

Only Alex would dare to bid one hundred million dollars.

Alex's gaze was cold and challenging as he stared at Harper, as if to say, 'Go on, keep bidding! Let's see who wins in the end. Do you really think Caden would drop a hundred million on a necklace for you?'

Harper's eyes flickered with emotion. In the end, she lowered her paddle. She knew she couldn't outbid a hundred million dollars. Her heart felt like it had turned to ice, a deep, chilling cold. She shivered involuntarily.

For Emily, the fact that Alex, who was always profit-first and calculating, was now willing to spend a hundred million dollars indicated just how important she was to him.

Harper recalled something that had happened in the past. Five years ago, their secret wedding had been a low-key affair, just a small gathering of friends and family.

Even though it was a secret marriage, she wanted to be the most beautiful bride. Therefore she had carefully picked out a wedding dress. 

.

She had tried it on and looked like an angel. But Alex had barely glanced at her, his attitude indifferent: "It's just a dress you'll wear once. No need to be extravagant." 

So she put the dress back and chose a cheaper one.

She understood Alex. In his world, everything was about value and profit. Their five-year marriage was because Harper was capable. Now, to please Emily, he was willing to drop a hundred million dollars on something insignificant. He truly, deeply loved Emily!

"One hundred million dollars, going twice."

"One hundred million dollars, going three times!"

The auctioneer didn't wait long before striking the gavel. Harper couldn't see or hear anything anymore. Her world seemed to stand still. When the applause erupted, she saw Emily on stage, smiling triumphantly.

"Congratulations to this lady, truly enviable." The auctioneer respectfully handed First Love to Emily. Many men would spend money on a woman. But few would spend a hundred million dollars to win a woman's favor.

Emily's smile was radiant, feeling a sense of satisfaction for the first time in her life. She carefully cradled First Love and walked briskly to Harper.

"Harper, did you really want First Love? But what can you do? Alex already bought it for me." She blinked, her gaze challenging.

Harper's smile was cold, her tone sharp. "Emily, you don't deserve First Love." 

It was her mother's relic, and someone as despicable as Emily didn't deserve it.

Harper looked directly at her, enunciating each word: "Your mother didn't deserve it, and neither do you! You both take pleasure in stealing from others!"

Emily feigned innocence. "Harper, why would you say that? Is it because your mother never found true love? But who can say for sure about love? Just like you, no matter how beautiful you are, Alex still doesn't like you." Her voice was sweet, but her words were cutting. 

She looked down at the jewelry box, sighing as if in regret. "I'm so sorry for your mother for never truly experiencing love before she passed."

Harper felt a sharp pain in her heart, almost crying out. She glared at Emily, her tone more warning: "Emily, I told you not to mention my mother!"

Emily looked up and sneered. "Are you going to hit me again?"