The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 127: Bid on the Bracelet

They were just about to place a bid when someone in the front row raised their paddle, "One and a half million dollars." 

Brian was a bit annoyed. He couldn't see who it was, but the bid was way too high, jumping up by half the price in one go. 

He hesitated because his budget was only 1.4 million dollars. That amount could buy a house in the city center, and spending it on a bracelet felt a bit painful. 

It wasn't that he couldn't afford it; it just seemed too expensive. Plus, gemstones are fragile. If Ella wore it out and it got damaged, he'd be devastated.

But seeing the longing expression on Ella's face, Brian gritted his teeth and placed a bid, "One point five five million dollars."

The front-row bidder didn't hesitate to raise the price, "One point seven million dollars." 

The market value of this bracelet was around two million dollars, and David's bidding assistant knew him well enough to keep bidding without needing instructions. 

The more unique and irreplaceable an item was, the more these wealthy people were willing to spend. This exquisite bracelet clearly fit that description.

Joan glanced at Ella, who was looking at her with eager eyes. Overcome with motherly love, she raised her paddle, "One point seven five million dollars."

The bracelet was very much in line with popular taste, and soon several people joined the bidding, driving the price up to 2.2 million dollars. 

To many professional gemstone collectors, this price was already too high, and only those who truly loved the bracelet would continue bidding. 

The assistant looked at David, who gave a nod, and he raised the bid, "Two point five million dollars."

Two point five million dollars was nearly double Brian's budget. 

He looked at Ella with a troubled expression, unsure how to explain that the competition for this bracelet was too fierce and the price wasn't worth it. 

Ella bit her lip, remembering how in her previous life, Victoria had a set of jewelry worth five million dollars, a gift from Brian and Joan. 

Why was it that now, for her, they thought two million dollars was too much? Did they value their real daughter less than their fake one?

But she wouldn't say that out loud. Instead, she pretended to be understanding, though her tone was full of disappointment. 

"It's okay, Dad, Mom. This bracelet is too expensive. Even though it would look beautiful on me, I've never worn such expensive jewelry before. If I broke it, I'd be heartbroken. Maybe it's just not meant for me. I don't want to make things difficult for you."

Ella's words made Joan's heart ache. She quickly held Ella's hand and said, "Ella, don't be so understanding. It's us who owe you all these years; we should make it up to you. We'll definitely buy this bracelet for you." 

She then gave Brian a stern look. Her beloved daughter had endured eighteen years of hardship outside. 

Eighteen years without birthday gifts, so an occasional splurge was justified.

Brian felt a bit embarrassed too. It wasn't that he couldn't afford it; he just thought it wasn't worth it. 

He couldn't let Ella think less of him, so he gritted his teeth and raised the bid, "Two point seven million dollars." 

Ella looked at Brian and Joan with tears of joy in her eyes, feeling their love for her. The higher the price of the bracelet, the more it showed Brian and Joan's love for her!

However, David didn't care about the money at all. His assistant continued to raise the bid, "Three million dollars."

Brian raised his paddle. "Three point two million dollars."

"Four million dollars." The price had hit four million dollars, way beyond the bracelet's market value, and it was unlikely to appreciate that much in a few years. 

The assistant reminded David that this price could buy a top-tier ruby bracelet, which was more prestigious than a sapphire one. 

David laughed heartily, "Buying jewelry for my daughter, do I need to consider its appreciation?" 

The Hamilton family wasn't short on money. He was responsible for earning it, and Diana and Victoria were responsible for spending it.

The auctioneer tapped his gavel and called out, "Four million dollars, going once. Any more bids?"

Brian sat down weakly and whispered to Joan. Four million dollars was way beyond his estimate. 

He only had five million dollars in liquid assets prepared, and if he spent it all on Ella, he wouldn't be able to buy any valuable collectibles for himself. 

The Scott family wasn't as wealthy as the Hamilton family; they had to consider cost-effectiveness when buying jewelry. 

So, they agreed to raise the bid one more time and then stop. "Four point one million dollars."

The assistant was waiting for this and immediately raised the paddle, "Four point three million dollars."

Brian's hand dropped, feeling powerless. "Ella, this price is just too high. This bracelet isn't worth that much. I'll buy you something else that's even prettier, okay?"

Ella lowered her eyes and forced a smile. "I know you both love me very much. It's okay, this bracelet isn't that pretty anyway." 

In truth, she still thought the bracelet was beautiful, and the four million dollar auction price made it even more attractive. 

But since it wasn't hers, she had to pretend to dislike it so Brian would be willing to buy her something else later.

After a while, seeing no more bids, the auctioneer was about to finalize the sale at four point three million dollars. 

But then David signaled his assistant. As an Aerion, he found the number unlucky and wanted to bid five point two million dollars, a number with good connotations in Aerion culture, symbolizing his love for Victoria.

The assistant, though surprised, complied, and the bracelet was finally sold for five point two million dollars. 

The guests were all astonished, witnessing someone raise their own bid without competition. 

Perhaps only Aerions understood this kind of romance, and it showed just how wealthy this Aerion tycoon was.

Ella watched from the back, understanding the significance of the price. 

She was so envious! If only Brian and Joan were that rich. Or if someone that wealthy fell in love with her.

The auction continued, and Ella looked at the subsequent jewelry, finding none as beautiful and unique as the previous bracelet. 

There was a flawless ten-carat fancy vivid pink diamond necklace that Ella found particularly beautiful and fitting for her, but the starting bid was eight million dollars. 

She didn't dare ask Brian to bid, fearing it would make her financially strained father ill.

In the end, the necklace was bought by Diana for twenty million dollars. 

Seeing it was the same couple who had bought the bracelet, Ella's envy and jealousy grew. 

But if she became famous in the entertainment industry and married Dennis, maybe she could afford such valuable jewelry?

Finally, as the auction was nearing its end, a beaded bracelet was brought out. 

This beaded bracelet was also made of sapphire, with purple and green colors. 

The auctioneer explained that it came from the same mine as the previous bracelet. The beads' carving made it look more lively, and the purple and green hues gave it an extra touch of elegance!

More importantly, the beaded bracelet was much cheaper than the bracelet of the same quality. 

Ella immediately pointed to the bracelet and said, "This beaded bracelet is so pretty! Missing out on the previous bracelet, I feel like this one suits me even better and is easier to wear."

Brian immediately decided, "We'll definitely buy this one for you!"