Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO novel Chapter 440

In the auction,

The last item, the highlight of the event —Victorian Blue Diamond Necklace —was finally showcased.

Aiden sat in his VIP box; his expression unreadable until his eyes landed on the familiar piece. The one he had come here for.

A slow smile curved his lips.

"Sir, we will be bidding for this?" Emyr asked, though he already knew the answer.

Aiden nodded; his gaze fixed on the necklace. "Get it."

They hadn't raised their paddle for a single item all night. Aiden had been quiet, as though wanting to announce something with his silence —that he had come to shop for a reason. For one piece. For one person.

The bidding started at three million. But within minutes, it climbed to fifteen million.

Seeing the bidding edge towards its peak, Aiden finally gave Emyr a cue.

"Now!" he said calmly.

And the next moment, without hesitation, Emyr raised their paddle. "Twenty million."

Gasps ripped through the crowd as almost every head turned to look towards the VIP box. They couldn't see who sat inside, but the number itself spoke volumes. It immediately left people intrigued —curious to know who was there.

"Who is the big shot sitting in the VIP box?" someone whispered.

"No idea. I heard the VIP boxes were only arranged later. A last-minute preparation." another responded.

"Last minute preparation —that alone proves whoever is up there isn't just anyone. Carlo & Co. doesn't make last-minute accommodations like that unless it is someone with serious pull."

"Could it be a Winslow?" a voice murmured. "I heard Aiden Winslow is back in town."

"Aiden Winslow? He never shows up to events like this. Always sends someone else. Besides, no representative would be in the VIP box. And don't forget what the item is —a necklace."

"Haha … true. That man is never been seen with a woman. Why would he come here just to bid on jewellery?"

Whispers filled the auction hall as everyone started speculating who could be the person to raise the price like that.

But they could tell —

Whoever the bidder was —he wasn't bidding to win.

He was bidding to make sure no one else did.

And among the crowd, no one had the courage to raise the bid anymore. Twenty million was truly the limit.

In the VIP box, Aiden watched the gavel rise —once, twice —ready to close the deal.

He stood up, turning to leave.

But just then —

"Twenty-one million!"

And just like that another sharp intake of breath swept through the crowd.

All eyes shifted to the second VIP box, just across from Aiden's. The one sitting there was as well hidden. But the boldness with which the price was in raised couldn't be ignored.

It came like a challenge.

"Finish the procedure here," Aiden instructed and then without a second glance, he turned and left. _{ƒгeewebnovёl.com}