Chapter 37
Chapter 37:
Gerard clenched his paddle in fury. “That shameless girl! She’s doing this on purpose. Is she trying to snatch it from Willa again p>
He slammed his paddle into the air. “Thirteen million p>
“Thirteen million from Mr. Gerard Moss! Any new bids?” the auctioneer called out, his voice full of energy. “Piano lovers, don’t miss your chance p>
“Eighteen million,” Noelle said, her tone as calm and casual as ever.
𝗧𝘩𝗲 𝖻𝘦𝗌t 𝗋𝖾𝖺dіn𝘨 𝖾𝘹𝗉𝖾𝘳𝗂𝖾𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼n
Gasps echoed through the room. A jump of five million—just like that. This lady from the VIP suite was certainly something.
Gerard’s jaw tightened. He hesitated for a moment, then pushed through. “Nineteen million p>
Noelle didn’t flinch. “Twenty-four million.” Another five-million leap.
“Twenty-four million from Ms. Moss!” the auctioneer announced, beaming. “Mr. Moss, do you wish to continue p>
Gerard was sweating. He had expected a quick win—maybe just a little over ten million. Now? The price had soared past twenty.
Malcolm’s face darkened. “That wretched girl is doing this on purpose. She’s just trying to ruin it for Willa p>
Willa lowered her head, her lips trembling, tears forming perfectly in her eyes. “Malcolm, it’s okay… If Noelle wants it, let her have it. I don’t mind p>
Malcolm gripped her hand, his heart aching. “No, sweetheart. You didn’t get the tiara. You deserve this at the very least p>
He turned to Gerard. “Bid again. I don’t care what it costs p>
Gerard gave a sharp nod. “Twenty-five million p>
The room fell silent. The casual bidders had long given up—only the Moss family and Noelle remained.
Upstairs, Noelle leaned back in her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. “Twenty-eight million p>
The auctioneer nearly tripped over his words. “Twenty-eight million! Ms. Moss from the second floor bids twenty-eight million! Mr. Moss, would you like to go higher p>
Gerard’s grip tightened on the paddle. His stomach turned. The price was absurd now—for a piano?
But the idea of losing to Noelle, especially over something Willa wanted, was unbearable.
Noticing his hesitation, Willa gently dabbed her eyes with a delicate handkerchief, her voice trembling just enough to sound fragile. “Gerard, don’t bid anymore. I don’t want the piano. Let Noelle have it p>
Gerard, still uncertain, made up his mind the moment he saw tears in Willa’s eyes. His jaw tightened as he lifted his paddle once again. “Thirty million p>
A brief flicker of triumph crossed Willa’s eyes—but she quickly masked it with her usual look of quiet composure.
She had long perfected this act: the graceful, selfless younger sister—the one who never asked for anything but always received everything. And the Moss family always fell for it.
Once Gerard placed his bid, he sat upright.
All around the hall, the audience held their breath, waiting to see if Noelle would bid higher again.
Thirty million for a piano was absurd. Even for the wealthy, it was hard to justify.
Noelle rested her chin on her palm, watching Gerard below. He sat rigidly, his back straight, probably drenched in nervous sweat.
She knew him too well. Thirty million was likely the end of the line for him.