The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 128: The Beaded Bracelet

Who would've thought Diana, sitting right up front, would also be into the beaded bracelet? 

She chirped, "The beaded bracelet is gorgeous too. Let's get it for Victoria."

David replied, "Sure, but it looks a lot like the ones we saw earlier. Not as nice as the purple sapphire bracelet."

Diana shot back, "What do you know? Beaded bracelets and regular bracelets are totally different. The beaded bracelet is so fun and lively." 

David nodded, signaling the auctioneer to place a bid.

The starting price for the beaded bracelet was just $500,000, drawing in a lot of bidders. 

But as the price hit $1,000,000, the crowd started thinning out.

Brian confidently said, "$1,200,000." 

He was determined not to miss out on the beaded bracelet for Ella, especially after losing the purple sapphire bracelet earlier. 

Even though $1,200,000 was over the market value, he was willing to pay to make Ella happy.

The auctioneer, with a blank expression, announced, "$1,500,000."

Brian was getting annoyed. It was the same person who had outbid him for the purple sapphire bracelet. 

Why were they competing for the beaded bracelet too? Frustrated, he raised his paddle, "$1,600,000!"

"$1,800,000."

"$2,000,000!"

Diana found the voice familiar. It seemed to be the same guy who had competed with her for the purple sapphire bracelet earlier. 

She turned slightly and whispered to David, "Honey, look, it's him again. In an auction, the highest bidder wins. Why is he getting so upset?"

David glanced back and immediately recognized Brian and Joan. 

Although he hadn't visited them personally, he knew that the Scott family had raised Victoria for eighteen years and had seen their photos. 

He had also discreetly helped the Scott family in business matters. He felt that no amount of financial assistance could repay them for taking care of Victoria for so long. 

He whispered, "They are Victoria's foster parents. Their financial resources are limited. They probably want to buy the beaded bracelet for their daughter. Let's not compete with them."

Diana thought for a moment and then nodded. David signaled the auctioneer to stop bidding. 

However, the auctioneer had already raised the price to $2,200,000.

Although the beaded bracelet was of high purity and color, it was still just beaded bracelet, essentially leftover materials. It wasn't worth more than $2,000,000. 

If it weren't for Ella's preference, Brian wouldn't have bid this high. 

He gritted his teeth and said, "It's them again. Why do they always compete with us? It's like money means nothing to them!" 

Joan also felt that the couple in the front row was being unfair, trying to buy everything good. She suspected they were hired by the auction house to drive up prices. 

She came up with an idea, "Honey, raise the price a bit more. If they outbid us, we'll let them have it. Let them take the loss."

Brian nodded, his eyes gleaming with calculation, and raised his paddle again, "$2,500,000!" 

He smirked, feeling satisfied at the thought of making David waste an extra few hundred thousand dollars. 

To his surprise, the front row remained silent, and no one else bid.

The auctioneer repeated the bid three times, and with no further bids, the beaded bracelet was sold to Brian for $2,500,000. His company didn't even make that much in a month! 

But seeing Ella's happy and grateful expression, Brian forced a smile and said, "It's okay, Ella. If you like it, we'll buy it no matter the cost!"

After the auction, Diana and David received the purple sapphire bracelet and the pink diamond necklace. 

Up close, the jewelry looked even more stunning. Diana happily said, "Victoria's gonna love these." 

David looked at Diana with affection.

Back at the hotel, Diana thought Victoria might still be awake and gave her a call. 

Victoria and her friends were still on the cruise, feeling bored. She happily answered the video call, greeting Diana while looking for Samuel on the deck.

Seeing Samuel leaning against the railing smoking, Victoria waved from a distance, "Samuel, come here. It's Mom and Dad on the phone." 

Samuel quickly put out his cigarette and sprayed some air freshener before walking over. 

He remembered that Victoria didn't like the smell of smoke, so he tried not to smoke around her. 

Today, he had sneaked out for a smoke because he couldn't resist the craving.

Seeing Diana and David on the video call, he naturally greeted them, "Hey Mom, Dad, what did you guys do today? I took Victoria skiing with reindeer, and now we're chasing the Northern Lights on the sea."

Diana replied, "We went to an auction today and bought some gifts for Victoria. Victoria, take a look and see if you like them." She casually showed the necklace and bracelet. 

Even through the screen, Victoria could see the brilliance of the pink diamond and the exquisite craftsmanship of the bracelet. She sincerely said, "They're beautiful!"

Samuel pouted and said, "What about me? I talk to Mom, and she doesn't even acknowledge me. So now that Victoria is here, I'm the neglected child?"

David cleared his throat and sternly said, "You're almost thirty, and you're still competing with Victoria for attention? Is this how a company president should behave?" 

Diana also glared at him, "You don't have a gift. If you find me a future daughter-in-law, I have plenty of jewelry prepared for her."

Samuel looked up at the sky in exasperation. No matter what he said, Diana and David always managed to bring up the topic of him finding a girlfriend. 

It seemed that reaching a certain age inevitably led to being urged to get married. 

Seeing Samuel's distress, Victoria felt a bit sorry for him. She had received gifts, while Samuel only got scolded. 

To ease the situation, Victoria started sharing interesting stories from the past few days, capturing Diana and David's attention and making them laugh. 

Eventually, Diana and David also greeted Ethan and the others, and the video call lasted for an hour before they hung up.

After the call, Victoria asked Samuel, "Samuel, I just helped you out a lot. Have you thought about how you're going to repay me?" 

Samuel generously said, "When the cruise docks tomorrow, I'll buy you anything you want." 

Victoria huffed, "That's too ordinary. I don't need the money. I want you to agree to one condition, even if it's something you don't want to do."

Samuel thought for a moment and cautiously said, "As long as it's not illegal or against the rules, I agree."

Nick chimed in, "Victoria really knows how to handle Samuel. Even he can't say no to her." 

Ethan quietly watched her, realizing that she had a playful side with her family. 

He was curious to see how she would tease Samuel and looked forward to it.