His Ex wife is a billionaire Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Evadne didn’t choose to wear a fancy evening dress. Instead, she rocked a chic black suit she designed herself, adorned with a yellow diamond brooch by top jewelry designer Alea.

She made her entrance with elegance and confidence. Her minimalist yet unique style made her stand out among the noble daughters.

They were the princesses everyone adored.

But she, Evadne, was always a queen who dominated!

Acacia, seeing her rival become the center of attention, felt a surge of anger.

Yet, to her dismay, two ladies next to her were sizing up Evadne in surprise, murmuring among themselves.

“Oh my Go d, whose daughter is she? She’s so cla**y!”

“If she weren’t so young. I would’ve thought she was the CEO of some big corporation. Her aura even surpa**es that of the guys!”

“Did you see her brooch? That’s Alea’s treasure, ‘Twilight’! Someone offered ten million for it three years ago, but Alea didn’t even bat an eyelid!”

What? Twilight?!

Anyb*dy who knew a thing or two about jewelry knew Alea, and they knew about the sensational Twilight from three years ago!

Acacia was so mad that she didn’t notice Evadne’s gear initially. But now that she looked, she was practically grinding her teeth in jealousy.

“Looks like this Ilana has really scored some big points with President Ashbourne.”

Una was both jealous and impressed, scolding her daughter fiercely, “I trained you so hard, and yet you’re not even as cun ning as a country girl! Without your aunt giving you the chance to approach Thaddeus, do you think your little tricks would’ve attracted Thaddeus?”

“Mom! I’ve succeeded! Why do you still belittle me?”

Acacia clenched her fists, eyes reddening. “Even if Ilana is with Cas sius, so what? The Abernathy family is no worse than the Ashbourne family! They’re divorced! Ilana is just a discarded woman! Thaddeus will never go back! He’s mine for life!”

“As long as they’re not divorced, don’t let your guard down!”

Una was worried: “Mr. Thaddeus has been indifferent to you lately, even I can tell.

And Mr. Hamiltion still hasn’t accepted you. He’s been delaying their divorce, which means things can still change. If you think you can rest easy just because Ilana doesn’t live with the Abernathy family, you’re really clueless!”

Acacia knew Thaddeus wasn’t as pa**ionate about her as before. But she hadn’t had a chance to see him in the past few days, how was she supposed to show off her charm?

Evadne walked past the back row, leaving a light fragrance in her wake, pa**ing Elspeth and Glynnis.

“Mom, where is that country girl sitting?” Glynnis asked nervously.

Elspeth’s smile vanished instantly. She was just hoping that Ilana would have a place of her own here, but she never expected her to sit in the prestigious first row!

Thaddeus watched as Evadne strode up to his side, his heart racing.

But Evadne seemed oblivious, sitting alone in Cas sius’s seat, poised and graceful.

“Cas sius let Ms. Ilana attend on his behalf? I had no idea!” Jareth expressed his shock and confusion.

Thaddeus took a deep breath, his eyebrows furrowed, and looked at the woman two meters away from him.

Evadne was smiling, her face bright and captivating, but she radiated a cold aura, deterring anyone from approaching her.

She didn’t even glance at Thaddeus, as if he didn’t exist.

“Oh my G od! She has the ‘Twilight’ brooch!”

Jareth suddenly shouted, “Three years ago, I wanted to buy that brooch for my mom’s birthday. I offered ten million and begged Alea with all my connections and dignity, but they totally ignored me. I can’t believe the brooch is now in Ms. Ilana’s hands. Cas sius really put a lot of effort into her. I admire him!”

Thaddeus was taken aback by his words.

No one understood the feeling of giving everything for the one he loved better than he did.

He had made time in his busy schedule to go to France for half a month to prepare a birthday gift for Acacia. He endured numerous cold stares and rejections, and only then did he get the Ruby Enigma from the designer.

He had been married to Ilana for three years, and he never gave her any gifts.

Now she was with Cas sius, and that man showered her with dazzling love like diamonds.

Thaddeus’s brows furrowed, his eyes filled with melancholy, and a hint of bitterness welled up in his heart.

Seeing Cas sius treat Ilana so well, he felt uncomfortable no matter what.

It made him feel like he was an incompetent ex-husband.

The guests were all present, and the auction officially began.

As the representative of the Jareth family, Jareth, dressed in a tailored suit, showed remarkable poise as he delivered the opening speech.

Glynnis watched her “hubby” with adoration, already naming their future eight kids in her mind.

The applause was deafening. Before Jareth stepped down, he flashed a smile, showing his white teeth, and flirted with Evadne with a raised eyebrow.

Evadne gave him a frigid glance and unapologetically rolled her eyes at him.

Thaddeus was filled with rage at Jareth’s action.

“So, dude, how did I do just now?”

Jareth walked up to Thaddeus with a smile, nudging him lightly.

“Great, do it one more time.”

Thaddeus looked at him coldly and said, “And I’ll punch you.”

Jareth looked helpless. “What did I do to upset you? You’re more difficult than the hundreds of girls I’ve dated!”

Soon, the first auction item was presented to all. It was a Renaissance oil painting, a great piece indeed. But the artist wasn’t a well-known master, so the starting price was only 100,000.

Thaddeus wasn’t that into antiques, but thanks to his granddad and dad’s teachings, he was somewhat savvy on the subject.

Upon seeing the painting, he immediately recognized it. There was an identical one in his granddad’s studio.

The one in his granddad’s place was genuine, but the one up for auction here at Parkray Auction was likely an expertly crafted copy.

Copies and fakes were two different beasts, and some quality copies had fetched high prices in the past. However, given that there was a genuine one out there, the price might be a bit steep.

“Bidding 150,000!”

“200,000!”

“300,000!”

Just as the auctioneer was about to bring down the hammer, a clear yet soft voice rang out.

“500,000.” Evadne raised her paddle nonchalantly.

There were surprised looks from the crowd towards this mysterious and beautiful woman.

Thaddeus shot Evadne a puzzled look. First off, the painting wasn’t worth 500,000 and 300,000 was already a high price.

Secondly, Ilana had been with his granddad for so long, helping him manage those treasures. She couldn’t possibly not know that the genuine piece was at his granddad’s. Why would she bid so much for a copy?

“600,000!”

All eyes turned to the back.

Acacia was holding her paddle high, seemingly afraid others wouldn’t see.

She couldn’t stand this cheap woman stealing the show. She had to regain her lost dignity tonight!

“700,000.” Evadne raised her paddle once more.

“800,000!” Acacia followed, her voice loud, drawing the attention of the crowd.

Una’s heart was in her throat. She had never attended such a high-end auction. A single painting was bid up to 700,000 in the blink of an eye. This was just the first item! “Should we follow suit, mom?” Glynnis, seeing Acacia taking the limelight, whispered to Elspeth.

“We’re all family so let’s not fight amongst ourselves.”

Elspeth had been to many auctions and knew the good stuff was usually saved for last.

“9 00,000.” Evadne raised her paddle again, determined to win the painting.

Una’s blood pressure was rising. She hadn’t planned to spend so much on Mr. Hamiltion’s birthday gift. It was heart-wrenching!

“One million!” Acacia was so agitated that her eyes were red as she raised her paddle once more.

The crowd gasped!

Jareth couldn’t help but laugh. “This is just the first item, and it’s not even something particularly valuable. Yet the price is already so high. We’re making a fortune! Thad, should I thank your ex-wife or your current fiancée?”

Thaddeus’s hands were clasped tightly on his knee, his thin l*ps sealed, and he looked troubled as if a storm was brewing.

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“Acacia, don’t compete with Ilana next time she bids! It’s too much expensive!” Una, sweaty palms clutching Acacia’s hand, nervously advised.

Evadne’s eyes were filled with amusement. She was about to raise her hand again, but she put it down.

“One million! Sold! Congratulations to Ms. Acacia from the Stirling Group for acquiring this masterpiece!” Acacia was grinning from ear to ear, feeling victorious and overshadowing that cheap woman.

But Una just couldn’t manage a smile.

At this moment, Jason, outside the venue, was watching everything happening inside through his phone.

Evadne was amazing! She baited Acacia into bidding an exorbitant price for a copy!

She truly saw right through this foolish yet cun ning woman’s shallow mind. Evadne had Acacia wrapped around her finger!