Chapter 172


    Maurice was so generous!


    Eliana shook her head and said stubbornly, “No, it’s very expensive. I can’t afford to pay you back.”


    “You don’t have to pay me back,” Maurice replied nonchntly.


    Eliana shook her head again, and this time, there was a look of alienation in her eyes. “It’s easy to


    repay money, but to return a favor ispletely different.”


    She knew it better than anyone else. She had already owed Preston. She didn’t want to owe one more


    person.


    After the auctioneer introduced the music box on stage, many people bid on it. In a short period of time,


    the price skyrocketed.


    “Seven million dors,” Erica triumphantly announced the price while holding the signboard in front of


    everyone.


    Eliana had a bad feeling when she saw her evil smile.


    Of course, there was a different reason why Erica wanted to buy the music box. It was not simply


    because she was fascinated by it.


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    As soon as the music box appeared, she realized why Eliana came to that night’s event.


    Erica remembered seeing this antique music box at Eliana’s house when she and Eliana were still best


    friends before the Pierce Group went bankrupt.


    She would feel very satisfied if she could buy the music box and smash it in front of Eliana.


    Erica waspletely engrossed in her revenge plot.


    The price rose even more to an astonishing ten million dors.


    When Erica was about to raise the signboard again, Asher stopped her.


    “Enough! Ten million dors for an old music box! Are you crazy?”


    “You know nothing!” Erica snapped bitterly as she shook off his hand.


    She was adamant. There was nothing Asher could do about this crazy woman, and he couldn’t argue


    with her in front of all the city’s power brokers. The attendees at the auction were all prominent people,


    and he couldn’t afford to lose face here.


    He could only hope that someone else would bid a higher amount for that damned music box.


    The price had risen even more since Erica wouldn’t give up. Eliana unconsciously began to show a


    nervous expression as thepetitors became fewer and fewer.


    The consequences of Erica getting her parents’ previous belonging would be unfathomable.


    “Twelve million dors.”


    Erica raised the price once more. Her generosity had already sparked the crowd’s interest. She was


    enjoying everyone’s attention at the moment, making her feel better.


    Great! She could finally hold her head high this time. She had to make Eliana pay when she got the


    music box.


    “Twelve million dors. Going once, going twice, going…”


    Just when Erica thought she had already won, a voice echoed throughout the hall.


    “Thirteen million dors.”


    Everyone, including Eliana, turned their gaze to the source of the voice.


    She was surprised to see Theo, Maurice’s new assistant, holding the signboard.


    Did Maurice n it?


    Eliana stared at Maurice in disbelief, her heart beating fast.


    Meanwhile, Erica was wondering why anyone would stillpete with her at this point.


    The spotlight was now on Theo. “This gentleman is extremely generous,” the auctioneer remarked.


    Theo stood up and shook his head. “It’s not me, but my boss. He wants to buy that music box and give


    it to the most beautifuldy present.”


    Theo took a deliberate pause, and everyone’s curiosity was immediately piqued.


    “It’s her,” Theo said, pointing to Eliana. “Miss Eliana Pierce.”


    The spotlight was then shifted to Eliana, and she instantly overshadowed Erica.


    Erica’s eyes were filled with venom. She locked her gaze on Eliana’s back, and the jealousy and hatred


    in her heart could no longer be suppressed.


    Why? Why was Eliana so lucky?


    Maurice liked her, and so did the other bigwigs. Why did all the good things only happen to her?


    “Fifteen million dors!” Erica made a desperate bid.


    The audience burst into an uproar. Everyone was waiting to see if Theo, who had only juste out


    halfway, would bid again. But Theo remained silent.


    “Fifteen million dors. Going once, going twice, going three times. Sold! Congrattions, Mrs. Erica


    Harrison!”


    Thunderous apuse erupted from the audience. Everyone was delighted, except Eliana who felt like


    she had fallen into an ice cave.


    Eliana stood up from her seat anxiously and prepared to say something. But Maurice pulled her down


    onto her seat.


    “Calm down. Wait for a moment.”


    Eliana was confused. “Wait for what?”


    A hint of yfulness shed through Maurice’s eyes. “Wait until she realizes she can’t afford it,” he said


    confidently.