Raymond''s breath hitched, a silent signal that he was finished with the conversation. Olivia, understanding his unspokenmand, held her tongue and allowed him to return to his seat. Once he was out of earshot, her lips curled into a sneer. "You may be married to Raymond, but he''s yet to refer to you as his wife, hasn''t he?" she taunted.


    Selena offered no response, her face obscured beneath the shadow of her hat, leaving Olivia to specte about her emotions.


    "I forgot to tell you, I''m pregnant with his child." Selena''s eyshes trembled slightly, and Ann, who was seated next to her, looked at her belly in surprise.


    Olivia, emboldened by her perceived victory, ran a confident hand over her own belly. "Although you''re married, you haven''t managed to conceive. Not only am I carrying his child, but he also told me that he finds you disgusting and wants a divorce."


    Before Selena could respond, the host took to the stage, providing Olivia with an opportune exit.


    As she made her departure, Selena''s voice, purposefully hushed, reached Olivia''s ears. "Mr. Montague said he only slept with one woman. I wonder if that woman was you? If it is, then whose child is Miss Stone carrying?" Olivia''s facade crumbled, her embarrassmentid bare. "You... you..." Her voice wavered, rising and falling abruptly. The presence of the media personnel reminded her of the need to maintain herposure.


    Taking a deep breath, Olivia shot Selena a cold look. "Just wait and see how your husband supports me," she threatened before striding away.


    Ann, left behind with Selena, muttered, "What a rotten egg."


    Selena found amusement in her friend''sment and inquired, "Ann, do you have a boyfriend?"


    Ann nodded. "I''ve been in a rtionship for seven years."


    The two women continued their casual conversation, their attention divided between their chat and the host''s speech on stage.


    The host''s initial address was filled with formalities, introducing the leaders and outlining thend''s development n, followed by the base price of 130 million.


    The Eternal Growth Group quickly ced a bid. Otherpanies followed suit, pushing the price up to 200 million.


    Olivia, noticing that Selena hadn''t made a single bid, couldn''t help but sneer. But then, Selena raised her paddle, offering 210 million. She didn''t even nce in Olivia''s direction, her action seemingly a response to Olivia''s provocation. Olivia''s anger red, and she was ready to ce another bid, but her senior executives intervened. "Miss Stone, 200 million is our limit," they warned. Any higher would put undue pressure on their finances.


    Olivia, however, was too caught up in the moment to heed their advice; she raised her paddle.


    The host announced, "The Eternal Growth Group, 250 million."


    Selena casually raised her paddle again, causing Ann, who was sitting next to her, to grow anxious. She knew that Aether didn''t have the financial strength to match these bids; Selena was intentionally driving up the price. Ignoring the senior executives'' attempts to dissuade her, Olivia raised her paddle once more, "300 million."


    "The Eternal Growth Group, 300 million."


    "Aether, 330 million."


    "The Eternal Growth Group, 350 million."


    The host continued to announce the escting bids, observing the fierce bidding war between the two women. The bid of 350 million was more than 150 million above the Eternal Growth Group''s limit.


    It was at this point that Raymond interjected, "She''s inting the price on purpose." His words seemed to snap Olivia out of herpetitive trance. She had been so engrossed in the bidding war that she had lost sight of herpany''s financial constraints.


    "But I''ve already bid 350 million," Olivia fretted, hoping that Selena would ce another bid and allow her to bow out gracefully. Her nerves were on edge. "Raymond, even if I secure thisnd for 350 million, will it be a loss?" Raymond knew the harsh reality; they would be at a significant loss. After purchasing thend, the cost of construction would run into hundreds of millions. The Eternal Growth Group stood to lose about 400 million. "Don''t bid anymore," he advised, his gaze shifting to Selena.


    But Selena didn''t raise her paddle.


    The host announced, "350 million going once."


    "350 million going twice."


    "Congrattions to the Eternal Growth Group, 350 million, sold!"


    The deal was finalized. Selena had sessfully manipted the Eternal Growth Group into spending an extra 150 million. She smiled and rose to leave. Olivia was livid, but she took sce in thend she had acquired, considering it a victory. She hastened to catch up with Selena.


    However, her bodyguard walked in, his anxious expression indicating that something was amiss. Olivia refrained from confronting Selena and instead turned to Raymond with a sweet smile. "Raymond, I''ve already made reservations at the restaurant, let''s go."


    Raymond''s gaze lingered on Selena''s retreating figure. He had always considered her to be shameless and cheap, but this time, she had skillfully manipted the situation with the Eternal Growth Group.


    Although it was only 150 million, the Eternal Growth Group''s recent cash flow was tight, and sometimes 150 million could be the difference between survival and bankruptcy. Furthermore, the Eternal Growth Group had also acquired this piece ofnd, which would continue to drain their resources.


    He frowned, ready to leave, but Olivia tugged at his sleeve. "Raymond, wait for me in the car, I''ll be right there."


    By the time Raymond exited the building, Selena''s car had already disappeared.


    He settled into his car, his fingertips drumming lightly on the steering wheel.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.