Chapter 756


    Vera’s friend, Bianca Roffe, <b>didn’t </b>catch herment. “What did you say<b><i>? </i></b><b>I </b>didn’t hear you.”


    Vera’s face darkened, and her mood visibly soured. “Mr. Gardner Senior has always been respectable. How is it that, at his age, he can’t control <b>himself </b>anymore?<b>” </b>


    She spoke in a low voice, cautious of <b>the </b>people around them. The auction was crowded today, and some attendees knew Alexander. It wouldn’t do for them <b>to </b>overhear.


    “What’s he not controlling?” Bianca asked<b>, </b>confused as she followed Vera’s gaze.


    She spotted Alexander chatting amiably with a young woman beside him. Although she couldn’t hear their conversation, it was clear Alexander was being very friendly.


    Bianca’s eyes widened as she realized what was happening–this was some juicy gossip.


    “That young woman is quite something,” Bianca said, her voice tinged with disbelief. “I’ve never heard of anyone close to Mr. Gardner Senior before, and his grandson must be nearly 20 by now. She looks like she’s still in college. For someone so young to put up with this just for money, it’s impressive.”


    Vera’s face twisted with disgust. “I’ve seen her before. She’s tangled up with Aiken and Rowan. She’ll endure anything to marry into a wealthy family.”


    “What?” Bianca eximed, surprised and thenughing. “That’s actually quitemon. Women from modest backgrounds like hers often need to put in extra effort to improve their circumstances. Otherwise, they might find themselves trapped in their current social ss.


    “There are countless women like her. In the entertainment industry, many aspiring actresses are vying for sess. My father and brother have oven <b>! </b>


    <b>supported </b><b>a </b><b>few </b><b>up</b><b>–</b><b>and</b><b>–</b><bing </b><b>stars </b>


    <b>Vera </b><b>frowned and </b><b>said</b><b>, </b>“<b>Enough</b><b>. </b><b>Stop </b><b>talking </b><b>about </b><b>this</b><b>. </b><b>It’s ruining </b><b>what </b><b>should </b><b>be </b><b>a </b><b>pleasant </b><b>auction</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>


    <b>Alright</b>.”


    <b>The </b><b>auction </b><b>began </b>shortly after.


    Vera <b>tried </b>to focus on the items being auctioned. She’d been influenced <b>from </b>a young age by her grandfather, Denton Ruell, and her father, Buck Ruell, both avid collectors of antiques.


    She’d heard many rare items from abroad were up for auction that day. With Denton and Buck’s birthdaysing up, she hoped to purchase a few pieces for them.


    Despite her efforts to concentrate, she couldn’t help but nce at Skr.


    Vera admired Skr. In the three times they’d crossed paths, Skr had always remainedposed, unaffected by what others thought of her.


    “Look at that 206 BC to 220 AD double–handled porcin jar. It’s quite rare. I frequent auctions, and I’ve hardly ever seen one,” Bianca’s exmation pulled Vera back to the present.


    Vera immediately looked over. After a quick nce, she raised her bidding paddle. “Eight million.”


    Others began bidding in response.


    Skr and Alexander both turned to look at Vera. At that point, Vera had already pushed the bid to 12 million.


    Seeing Skr watching her, Vera raised an eyebrow. It seemed Skr was interested, so perhaps Alexander intended to bid on it for her. She sighed quietly at the thought of the once sharp and intelligent Alexander had grown old and indulgent.


    Unfortunately, Vera needed to secure this item.


    After meeting Vera’s determined and somewhat superior gaze, Skr turned to Alexander and said, “There might be some issues.”


    <b>Alexander </b><b>frowned</b>. “The Items <b>at </b><b>the </b>auction have <b>been </b>verified. I can’t <b>disclose </b><b>any </b>issues with the antiques to others.”


    <b>Auctions </b>wereplex affairs. Despite his prominence <b>in </b>Jipsburg and <b>the </b><b>respect </b>hemanded, such vague concerns would only be taken seriously by those who genuinely trusted him. Others would undoubtedly be skeptical. N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    “I’ll bid on it,” Alexander decided. He intended to acquire all problematic items tonight to prevent them from causing harm.


    Alexander proceeded to ce his bid.


    However, Vera was determined to win; she continued to raise her paddle.


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