Chapter 44

Stella's POV

"Lot 157- A limited edition car. Only three exist worldwide."The auctioneer's voice carried crisp authority."Opening bid at fifty million dollars."

Brian's paddle shot up immediately. "Sixty mmillion!"

Really? Starting with such an aggressive raise? I felt Adam's subtle gesture beside me more than saw it. A slight tilt of his head - our prearranged signal. Keeping my expression neutral,I raised my own paddle. "Sixty-one million."

Brian's head whipped around so fast I thought he might give himself whiplash. His polished facade cracked, revealing the petulant child beneath. "Stella, are you sure you have enough funds?"

"Dear nephew, you seem awfully concerned about my finances."I twisted the paddle with deliberate grace. That's right,dance to my tune. "How... touching."

"Add another million!" Brian's voice carried an edge of desperation that made me want to laugh. Oh, this is better than I expected. "Then we'll add one as well." I maintained my serene smile,though inwardly I was running calculations. His properties are mostly illiquid assets, and after Lucy's earlier shopping spree...

As the bidding continued, I leaned slightly toward Adam. "His liquid assets are nearly depleted, aren't they?"

Adam's eyebrow rose fractionally. "How did you arrive at that conclusion?" His tone held genuine curiosity.

"Lucy just spent several hundred million trying to outbid me earlier. Brian has considerable assets, but not much liquidity."

A ghost of amusement crossed Adam's face. "You seem to enjoy watching Brian squirm."

"Me? Never." I kept my voice innocent, but couldn't quite hide my satisfaction as the hammer fell at one hundred and ninety million dollars, with Brian's final desperate bid. His triumphant grin looked strained around the edges. Checkmate, dear nephew.

\---

"The final lot of the evening - an exceptionally rare Colombian emerald bracelet, previously owned by European royalty." Before the auctioneer could finish his introduction, Adam's voice cut through the murmurs like a blade. "Two hundred million." The room fell silent. Even the auctioneer seemed momentarily stunned. Show-off, I thought, but couldn't help feeling impressed by the casual display of power.

Brian's laugh held a bitter edge. "Ten billion for a winery,and now this. Uncle Adam, you certainly know how to spend money." His emphasis on 'uncle' dripped sarcasm.

Oh,you petty little man. "Not as generously as your girlfriend,"I interjected smoothly. "Lucy, you spent an extra hundred million today just to outbid me, didn't you? Such dedication to art appreciation."

"What do you mean? Clearly, you were outbidding me!" Lucy immediately retorted.

I smiled, not denying it.

\---

In the contract signing room, Adam held out the emerald bracelet. "For you."

"Idon't need it." I kept my voice firm, though the bracelet was stunning. I won't be bought with jewelry, no matter how exquisite.

"Taylor." Adam's tone was dangerously calm. "Throw it away." "Wait!" I grabbed his arm, mentally cursing his stubbornness."You could give it to someone else." Like your mother, you impossible man.

"Playing hard to get?" Lucy's sneer carried across the room."So pretentious!"

I ignored her, worried that Adam might really smash the jade.

After all, keeping the jade jewelry at Adam's Lancaster Manor would still be his.

I signed the papers.

A staff member approached Brian hesitantly.

"I apologize, Mr. Brian Lancaster, but your account balance appears insufficient for the vehicle purchase. Would you prefer to use a different card or write a check?"

Brian's face drained of color. "That's impossible!" Oh, but it is.And it's absolutely delicious.

"It's only twenty million dollars - what kind of joke is this?"Lucy's voice rose shrilly.

I couldn't quite suppress my smile. "Don't worry. The penalty for breach of contract is only forty percent." Time for the coup de grâce.

"Stella, what are you saying?" Lucy was about to retort but noticed Brian's grim expression. She whispered, "Brian, you really..." "Shut up!" Brian snapped.

Lucy's faceturned red with anger.

"Does Brian really not have that much money?" someone couldn't help but gossip.

"Who knows. nineteen billion isn't nineteen dollars," someone else chimed in. "You only know who's really broke when it's time to pay."

"Stella,you should worry about your husband's payment,"Brian didn't believe Adam could come up with that much money. After all. Adam had spent twenty billion in total.

"This gentleman has already settled the payment," the waiter said.

Brian's face turned ashen, pointing at Adam in disbelief, "You...how could you..."

"Brian, he is your uncle. How dare you point at him?" I interrupted him lightly.

Brian reflexively withdrew his hand, his face alternating between green and white, his eyes still fixed on Adam. The underground parking garage felt cavernous at this hour.our footsteps echoing off concrete walls. The familiar scent of

expensive leather and Adam's cologne filled the car's interior.

"Ineed to speak with Lucy." I touched Adam's arm lightly,feeling the tension in his muscles.

His eyes narrowed. "Alone?"

"Don't worry, I have no interest in your nephew. This is between Lucy and me." Though I wouldn't mind if he happened to overhear what I'm about to say to his precious girlfriend.

After a long moment, he nodded. "I'll wait in the car." The unspoken warning in his tone made me want to roll my eyes.As if I needed protection for this.

Lucy was already walking toward her vehicle when I caught up to her, her heels clicking rapidly on the concrete.′′Come to apologize for tonight? Save it! I'll make sure my parents know exactly how heartless you are!"

"You don't deserve an apology." I kept my voice level,though anger simmered beneath the surface. "I'm here to remind you that if you don't want to be labeled as unfilial, you should visit Mrs. Winston in the hospital." "Why should I visit that old woman? What can you do about it-ah!" Before she could finish, I grabbed her and slammed her onto the hood of a nearby car.I looked at her with a cold expression, my eyes sharp. My voice was calm but commanding, "Lucy,you should call her Grandma!"

"That 'old woman'is your grandmother!" I tightened my grip slightly, channeling years of martial arts training into precise pressure.

"Let go! You're just a bitch-ow, that hurts!"

"Say it." My voice dropped dangerously low."Say'grandmother.' Can you manage that simple word?"

Lucy struggled, but I pressed her head harder against the wall,making it impossible for her to break free.

I increased the pressure and slowly taught her, "Grand-ma,can you say it?"

If not, I'll teach you until you can!