Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Betty composed herself but still felt nervous.
“I’d like to say a few words about this necklace,” Ada spoke into the microphone, turning around to face the guests. Her gaze landed on Betty, who was trembling where she sat.
“I was only able to get this necklace because of the Walsh Group’s own Betty Walsh. She was the one who gave it to me,” explained Ada.
Alyssa calmly texted Sean on her phone.
The spotlight instantly landed on Betty the next second, showing everyone her frightened, tense expression. Her face even appeared on the screen onstage, magnifying every detail.
Betty had no choice but to smile politely.
“Although I have much love for Alexa’s creations, I still feel that contributing to a greater cause that can help the less fortunate is a far better choice.”
“This has always been the motivation behind Alexa’s jewelry design. Being a loyal fan of her work, I plan to follow in her footsteps this way.
“I hope this gesture also maximizes the kindness Ms. Betty has shown me by giving me such a precious gift,” stated Ada.
Betty couldn’t publicly deny that any longer. All she wanted was for a hole to open up in the ground and swallow her up.
“Madam Ada has decided that, on account of the meaning and gravitas of this piece crafted by Alexa herself, there will be no minimum bidding amount!” the auctioneer announced.
“30 million,” a clear voice rang out. Jameson raised his paddle, a smile on his face.
30 million?
That was the highest starting bid of the night so far!
Were they planning to go up to billions?
Alexa’s creations were indeed worth that price, but it was still an exorbitant amount.
“50 million.” Jeremy slowly raised his paddle, his expression calm save for a glint of ferocity in his eyes.
The crowd was shocked by his bid.
A 20 million jump?
Was Jeremy in the line of money-printing or something?
Some potential bidders instantly deflated, giving up their bids.
Jameson raised his paddle again. “70 million.”
It was clear now that he was going head-to-head with Jeremy.
“90 million.”
“100 million.”
A wave of gasps and cries rang throughout the hall. It became apparent to them that the Schmidt family.
was in the money-printing fine, too. It was as clear as day.
Alyssa’s lips were stretched thin as she quietly watched everything transpire. Her eyes were dark.
“I don’t think these two intend to bid. They seem more like they’re in some silent duel,” Yves pointed out.
“Yeah, do they think we’re some sort of Wild West highway showdown at high noon?”
Alyssa really wanted to stand up and teach the two a lesson right now.
Meanwhile, Sophia was in utter shock.
“Didn’t you say Jameson Schmidt was useless in his family, never getting a single cent? He bid one hundred million!” Betty asked. All the blood had left her cheeks.
Sophia was truly at a loss for words.
Had she been wrong this whole time?
Was Jameson’s background all an elaborate lie?
“120 million,” Jeremy retorted flatly. He needed to get one of Alexa’s creations no matter what.
“150.” Alyssa’s voice rang out loud in the hall as she raised her paddle.
Both Jeremy and Jameson turned to look at Alyssa, knowing she was pissed now. So, they stopped bidding.
“Congratulations, Ms. Alyssa! This one-of-a-kind necklace is yours!” The auctioneer gestured happily, swiftly knocking the gavel to halt all other bids.
There was a two-second silence before the hall erupted into clamorous applause.
Alyssa’s flat expression never wavered, however.
“Alyssa bought the fake, Mom! Do you think she saw through it?” Betty asked frantically, heart pounding like a frightened rabbit.
“Be quiet! Do you want everyone to hear you?” Sophia hissed venomously, pinching Betty’s arm.
Sophia added, “Alyssa wouldn’t have noticed it was a fake, nor would she ever anticipate one turning up at her own auction. You should be grateful she bid off that necklace!”
“But what if she finds out a-“
“That has nothing to do with you anymore! Even if she does, you can always claim she swapped it out in order to insult you.” Sophia scowled.
Betty had always admired her mother’s ability to twist everything to her benefit. She always longed to share the same skills.
Ada was immensely pleased to see that Alyssa bid her donation home. Ada couldn’t help but think that
Alyssa must still have hopes that she’d change her mind.
Alyssa slowly typed out an instruction to Sean, her gaze dark. She then sat up straight, preparing herself for the upcoming show.
“Now, this next piece is from-” The auctioneer stopped talking the moment he revealed what was in the glass case.
He glanced at the diamond necklace within, then at his itinerary.
That couldn’t be right.
The crowd erupted into an uproar upon seeing the necklace inside.
“Ton’t that… Isn’t that the necklace Ada Kingsley had just donated?”
*Fuck me! It really is!”
“That’s impossible! Alexa never makes the same design twice! How could there be a second one?”
*Does that mean… One of them is a fake?”
The crowd began discussing fervently among themselves.
Ada stared at the necklace in utter shock while Sophia and her daughter were both clinging to one another frightfully. Cold sweat dripped down Betty’s back.
The necklace she gave Ada was a counterfeit, which meant the one on stage was the real deal.
“Didn’t you check all the donated jewelry before the auction started, Ms. Alyssa? What’s going on?” Yves asked worriedly, not blaming her in any way.
“It’s always so much more fun to take everyone by surprise, Madam Yves,” Alyssa said with a grin.
Yves’ eyes widened. “Does that mean…”
Alyssa gracefully got up from her seat and up onstage.
Jeremy watched her intently from afar, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. There was something exciting buzzing about on his skin, like electricity.
“I would first like to apologize to all of our guests here tonight on behalf of the hotel as MINT’s charity.
auction organizer.”