Chapter 113

The bid skyrocketed again, and Isabella Sinclair felt her stomach drop.

Her funds were running dangerously low.

Originally, she'd set her auction limit at thirty million. The Sinclair family's financial situation was precarious, leaving little room for extravagant spending.

But now...

Dominic Fairchild raised his paddle. "Twenty-eight million."

Isabella countered immediately. "Thirty million."

Her voice was soft but carried an undeniable charm. It made Dominic turn his head, his lips quirking into an amused smile when he recognized her.

Isabella returned the gesture with a polite nod.

Then Victoria Kensington struck again. "Forty million."

Isabella's fingers curled into fists.

Dominic wasn't backing down. "Forty-three."

"Forty-five," Isabella shot back.

Victoria didn't hesitate. "Fifty."

Isabella's mind reeled. Thirty million had been her initial limit, but the moment Victoria entered the bidding, she'd mentally stretched it to fifty.

She could go higher.

There was the penthouse Alexander Whitmore had gifted her—worth hundreds of millions. That money had practically fallen into her lap. Why not use it?

But logic prevailed. This piece wasn't worth fifty million.

She had the funds, but recklessness wasn't an option. Selling the penthouse could secure something far more valuable.

With a slow exhale, she lowered her paddle.

Emily Donovan leaned in. "Call Alexander."

Isabella had considered it. But would Alexander stop Victoria for her?

Unlikely.

Still, she pulled out her phone and dialed.

Across the room, Alexander felt his phone vibrate. He glanced at the screen—an unknown number.

Victoria peered over. "Who is it?"

Just digits. No name.

Alexander smirked and declined the call without a word.

The rejection shattered the last shred of hope in Isabella. Her mind blanked for a second.

Emily seethed. "He ignored you?"

Isabella said nothing, slipping her phone back into her bag.

The bids climbed—ninety-five million now.

Dominic rubbed his temples and turned to Alexander. "Mr. Whitmore, care to let me have this one?"

Alexander's smile was polite but firm. "Next time."

Dominic exhaled sharply and raised again. "One hundred twenty million."

Victoria didn't blink. "One fifty."

Dominic stayed silent.

Emily gritted her teeth. "I've never seen Dominic back down like this."

The Fairchild family was every bit as powerful as the Whitmores—both were elites among elites.

Yet tonight, Dominic's restraint made it seem like his resources paled in comparison to Alexander's.

But that wasn't true. Dominic was simply pragmatic. Alexander, on the other hand, was burning money without hesitation—all to please his woman.

With no further bids, the embroidered masterpiece went to Victoria.

Alexander turned to Dominic. "Thank you for your generosity."

Dominic forced a smile. "Don't mention it."