Chapter 173


    Chapter 173 All Eyes on Ashton and Her


    Adrian replied nonchntly, “How would I know? Whether Ashtones or not, he wouldn’t bother to


    inform me.”


    Reba is Adrian’s cousin and has been living with the Moxley family since she was young, so herst


    name is


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    Moxley.


    Although the three Adrian brothers and Reba seem to get along well only on the surface.


    In fact, there really isn’t much sibling affection between them, and they don’t get involved in each


    other’s affairs.


    It’s not that the Moxley brothers deliberately ignored her, but rather, Steven and Norman were


    preupied with their careers and didn’t have much time to socialize with Reba.


    As for Adrian, it’s simply a matter of his personality not meshing well with Reba’s.


    Adrian is outgoing and loves to have a good time, going around and enjoying himself. He is carefree


    and impulsive in


    his actions.


    Reba has a cold and gloomy temperament, which, in Adrian’s view, makes her quite dull and


    difficult to get along


    with.


    He couldn’t get along with Ashton for the same reason.


    Upon hearing him say this, Alyssa became displeased.


    “Then it’s possible that my dad might go. In that case, my mom and I won’t go back for Christmas. We’ll


    talk about it


    Adrian had kept Alyssa by his side for three years, and now that he suddenly couldn’t see her, he felt


    as if a daughter


    had abandoned him.


    He felt uneasy, but reluctantly agreed, “All right, all right, I’ll talk to Reba and ask her not to bring


    Ashton back on


    Christmas.”


    Alyssa immediately responded, “Then you have to promise. After you’ve talked to Reba, call me,


    and only then will my mom and I consider returning to Richmond.”


    There are some things Deborah finds difficult to say directly, but Alyssa understands, so she won’t put


    Deborah in at difficult position.


    Over there, Adrian said exasperatedly, “You little brat, daring to threaten your uncle like that. Fine, fine,


    fine, I’ll make


    callter and make sure Ashton won’t be able to enter Moxley Manor, alright?”


    “Go ahead and make that call, then let us know when you’re done by calling us back,” Alyssa said


    before hanging up


    the phone.


    From the tone of Alyssa’s words, Deborah could tell that Adrian had indeed treated her well over the


    past few years.


    Upon thinking about it, Deborah would definitely need to visit the Moxley family on the day of Christma,


    to express her gratitude wholeheartedly.


    After Deborah and Alyssa finished viewing the art exhibition, it was past four in the afternoon. The


    organizers then invited them to have dinner at a nearby hotel.


    After finishing dinner, the charity g soon began.


    During this time, Adrian called back and said that he had spoken with Reba. He assured that


    Ashton would not be present at Moxley Manor on Christmas.


    After asking for Deborah’s opinion, Alyssa agreed to return to Richmond before Christmas.


    Deborah made up her mind to visit Moxley Manor, and now that her only concern was gone, she felt


    much more


    rxed.


    But soon, she could no longer feel rxed.


    As soon as she and Alyssa entered the auction venue, they headed to the front row to take their seats.


    From a distance, they could see Ashton sitting in the same row.


    The auction hadn’t even started yet, and a few merchants were already standing next to him, their


    faces full of ttery and ingratiating words.


    Ashton’s face showed little emotion, and he responded with a few words somewhat impatiently from


    time to time.


    Alyssa noticed it too and immediately looked at Deborah, saying, “Well, it’s hard to guard against


    everything.”


    Deborah couldn’t help butugh at her words, and pulled her to sit down, “Don’t worry, Mommy will just


    bid a couple


    of pictures and then leave.”


    The auction was about to begin, and the merchants surrounding Ashton quickly took their seats.


    The first items up for auction were several pieces of jewelry. As the auctioneer introduced them, he


    couldn’t help but


    steal a few nces at Deborah.


    It’s no wonder he’s looking. In the past, when Joseph took Deborah to auctions, he loved bidding on


    beautiful jewelry


    for her.


    She doesn’t wear it often, but she bought it to keep and admire.


    But Deborah never raised her auction bid paddle.


    She had no ns to buy jewelry today, and another thing was that she had limited money on hand and


    didn’t intend


    to spend Joseph’s money either.


    Over the past three years, she had earned a sry as a designer, and also made some money by


    learning to invest with


    Joseph.


    The money in hand is just over 8 million dors.


    And the starting auction pieces for these jewels, each one is worth at least a few hundred thousand


    dors.


    She doesn’t have much money, so she needs to spend it carefully.


    Before Deborah could raise her auction bid paddle, the auctioneer’s face showed a hint of


    disappointment.


    When ites to bargaining for purchases, Deborah and Joseph are quite generous and


    straightforward.


    And now, there’s Ashton at the scene, who’s been looking at his phone the whole time, seemingly


    uninterested in the jewelry.


    Ashton’s purpose foring was quite simple to casually bid high on one or two items, treating it as a


    charitable donation and reinforcing his image as a good businessman who umtes virtue through


    acts of kindness.


    And finally, there’s the showstopper, Rockefeller Emerald, with a starting bid of 7.5 million dors now


    that’s something he would bid on.


    The auctioneer tried his best to create a lively atmosphere, but most of the people present couldn’t help


    but steal nces at Ashton and Deborah, their minds clearly preupied with the anticipation of some


    juicy gossip.


    Deborah was almost falling asleep as she waited, but finally, the auction began for Ann’s two


    paintings.


    Alyssa tugged at her sleeve and said, “Mommy, it’s our turn now.”


    Deborah instantly became alert upon hearing the auctioneer finish introducing the painting, and then


    mentioned the starting bid of 75,000 dors.


    Deborah immediately raised the auction bid paddle. “90,000 dors.”


    The atmosphere at the scene immediately became lively with more discussions, and some people


    started raising their auction bid paddles.


    “110 thousand dors.”


    “120 thousand dors.”


    Deborah raised her offer. “150 thousand dors.”


    Ashton’s enthusiasm waned as he paused from scrolling through his phone, lifting his gaze to look over


    at Deborah.


    His face showed surprise as he just realized she was there.


    At this moment, Deborah wasn’t paying any attention to him, as she was determined to seed.


    But her expression was quiteposed, showing little interest.


    This is what Joseph taught her. In a business ce, the more you want something, the more you


    should act as if you


    can take it or leave it.


    Otherwise, it’s easy to fall into traps and be given inted prices,


    Ann’s artwork, among the many painting masters, is not considered particrly good.


    But behind her are the Moxley family and the Abrams family, as well as her own status as an


    internationally renowned


    designer.


    So, people continued to bid, and the price was called all the way up to 270 thousand dors.


    Deborah telt a bit of difort.


    In the past, spending Joseph’s money didn’t seem to bother me much, but now that I’m spending my


    own, it does


    hurt a bit.


    She pondered that 375 thousand dors was her limit; if someone else raised the bid, she wouldn’t


    Deborah raises the auction bid paddle again. “290 thousand dors.”


    Ashton suddenly raised his auction bid paddle. “300 thousand dors.”