Chapter 176

Lucy White nearly laughed out loud at Fiona Von's haughty demeanor.

"Not selling," she refused bluntly.

This raw jade had the strongest energy fluctuation in the entire auction floor—it would undoubtedly yield top-grade imperial jade.

Double the price? Even ten times wouldn't be enough.

Fiona's arrogance was a carbon copy of her shameless mother.

"Are you disrespecting me?" Fiona's face darkened instantly.

She lowered her voice threateningly, "I'm the heir to Gould Group. My grandfather knows the Wilson family patriarch."

"One word from me, and Topaz Entertainment will blacklist you."

In her eyes, Lucy was just a minor celebrity.

This defiance irritated her. Any other sensible star would've handed over the jade obediently—no questions asked.

"Go ahead and try," Lucy sneered. "Let's see if you can pull it off."

Did she think threats would work?

The Von and Gould families were cut from the same disgusting cloth.

"You—!" Fiona hadn't expected such defiance.

Gritting her teeth, she spat, "We'll see about that!"

But she couldn't bear to give up the stone. "Name your price. How much?"

"Not for any price," Lucy said coldly.

"Some things are priceless. This jade is mine." She even raised an eyebrow挑衅地.

Fiona trembled with rage. "How dare you!"

"Indeed, I dare. What will you do about it?" Lucy deliberately provoked her.

A crowd had gathered by now.

Lucy raised her voice mockingly, "The Von and Gould families have no standards—bullying others into selling what you fancy."

"With business practices like yours, bankruptcy is inevitable!"

Her words resonated with many. Everyone despised such entitled behavior.

Frederick Von, standing nearby, frowned. "Miss White, that's uncalled for."

"What? Threatening me too?" Lucy shot him a sidelong glance.

Frederick scowled. "A young lady should mind her manners."

"Takes one to know one," Lucy scoffed. "The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree. Look at your children's behavior—speaks volumes about the parents."

She wouldn't spare any courtesy for the Von family.

"You—!"

Just as Frederick was about to explode, he felt an icy gaze upon him.

"Watch your tone, Mr. Von. Reckless words bring consequences."

Frederick looked up to see an elegant young man staring at him coldly.

His heart skipped a beat—it was him!

At last year's elite gala, he'd witnessed this man surrounded by admirers beside the Smith Group CEO.

Inquiries revealed he was the youngest Smith son, the family's most doted-upon heir.

"Mr. Smith! What an honor to see you here," Frederick immediately fawned.

Ethan Smith replied indifferently, "Am I not allowed?"

"Of course! Your presence honors us all." Frederick wiped his brow.

Lucy rolled her eyes at his whiplash-inducing attitude change.

Michael Johnson approached with a mocking smile. "Your bootlicking skills have improved, Frederick."

Frederick noticed Michael and forced a laugh. "You flatter me, Mr. Johnson."

What rotten luck—running into both of them today.

"Lucy isn't selling. Drop it," Michael stated flatly.

Ethan twirled a pen between his fingers. "Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Von?"

For once, the two rivals stood united against an outsider.

Who did the Von family think they were, bullying Lucy?

"A misunderstanding! My daughter merely inquired," Frederick backpedaled. "Since Miss White prefers to keep it, we wouldn't dream of insisting."

Lucy delivered the final blow: "You couldn't insist even if you tried."

Frederick's expression darkened further, but he swallowed his pride.

The message was clear—these two heirs held Lucy in high regard.

Once they lost interest, he'd make this little star pay.

"Mr. Smith, Mr. Johnson, we'll take our leave."

Frederick maintained his smile until turning away, then his face twisted with fury.

Once out of earshot, Fiona whispered, "Father, who is that Mr. Smith?"

For her father to grovel like that—he must be formidable.

Frederick grimly explained Ethan's background.

"He's beyond our reach. While he protects that Lucy, don't act rashly," he warned.

Fiona's eyes gleamed with calculation. So the actor had powerful backing after all.

Schemes began forming in her mind.