Chapter 329: Is James Teaching A Lesson To Ivan?

A few more items were auctioned, but Natalie didn’t bid on them. Other guests claimed those items. Natalie glanced at James Harper, wondering why he hadn’t bid on anything yet—except for that painting, which he had allowed her to win.

Finally, something caught Natalie’s eye, and this time, she wanted it.

Cufflinks.

A delicate, finely carved gold accessory with precious diamonds embedded in them. The large screen ahead displayed detailed information about this masterpiece and how it had been crafted.

They were simply eye-catching, and Natalie couldn’t help but think, At the same time, she was aware that the bidding wouldn’t be easy—everyone would be trying to get them.

The bidding started at 2 million.

Natalie raised her paddle. "2.1 million."

Briena, once more, couldn’t keep quiet. "2.5 million." Then she turned to Ivan and said, "I think these will look good on you. I want to get them for you."

Ivan hummed, interested to see how far Natalie would go this time—and exactly man in her life she was trying to get them for.

On the other side, some guests started murmuring.

"Did you notice? Once again, Briena bid on what Natalie bid for. Before this, there were plenty of items auctioned, but she didn’t bid on anything."

"Maybe just a coincidence."

Natalie knew Briena was going to do this again, so she placed her next bid.

"3 million."

She increased it significantly this time.

Other guests also joined in, and the price quickly climbed to 7 million—the highest bid of the night so far.

The auctioneer was delighted. Whenever these two women were involved, the bidding seemed to skyrocket. He glanced at James Harper, wondering if the man was once again going to make a ridiculously high bid.

"8 million."

Natalie raised the bid by a shocking one million.

Briena gritted her teeth. She couldn’t lose to Natalie—especially after declaring that she was getting these for Ivan.

"Briena, no need to bid. Let her take it," Ivan said.

"No, I them for you," Briena insisted stubbornly, then raised her paddle.

"10 million."

Ivan and the others looked at her in shock. A straight jump of million—equivalent to the starting bid price of this item.

The bidding had gone on non-stop for so long that now most of the guests simply waited for it to end.

"20 million."

A familiar, dignified voice echoed once more, and everyone turned to look at the man who was willing to throw money so effortlessly on those cufflinks.

Briena was stunned—this was too much now.

Ivan immediately held her hand and said, "You should stop now."

She could only nod, unable to bid more on a worthless item. She had her eyes on other things. Moreover, Ivan could not let Briena cross James Harper. Just like others, he refrained from competing with this man.

James looked at Natalie, his cold gaze showing a hint of impatience, as if urging her to finish this quickly.

Natalie swiftly raised her paddle. "20 million and one."

Once again, she did the same thing—just added one dollar to James Harper’s bid.

And once again, everyone was shocked.

Natalie had pulled the same move. No one else placed a bid after that, and the cufflinks went to her.

Briena fumed with anger but suppressed it.

"She won’t let you win anything, Briena," Rina whispered. "Calm down. Don’t bid on anything else now."

Briena looked at Ivan, who nodded as well, silently assuring her to remain composed.

The next item displayed was a set of finely crafted, beautiful chains with a pink diamond pendant, engraved with the words—

"Ivan, why don’t you get it for Briena?" Irene suggested. "That way, she might feel better. That neckless is a sign of true love."

Ivan immediately agreed. Briena had been ready to spend 10 million just for him—he could do far better for her as he was one of the rich businessman in the imperial city.

The bidding started at 5 million, as it was one of the most precious items of the auction.

"6 million," Ivan placed his bid.

Briena turned her gaze toward Natalie, expecting her to bid out of jealousy. After all, anyone could see that Ivan was getting it for his love—his fiancée.

But Natalie remained silent, showing no interest in the item. She didn’t place a bid.

The other guests were just as eager to get the item as Ivan. Many placed their bids, and soon, the price climbed to 20 million. Once again, this item attracted numerous bidders, and the bidding showed no signs of stopping as participants kept raising their offers.

When it reached 25 million—an unexpectedly high price for the auctioned item—the auctioneers began to wonder if they had set the starting bid too low, as people seemed willing to pay much more.

"30 million."

Ivan raised the bid by five million, making it the highest bid of the night.

"Ivan, what are you doing?" Briena asked, acting as if she was concerned, though inside, she felt delighted that he was doing it for her.

"It’s for you," he said, glancing toward Natalie, who was seated in the first row. From his place a few rows behind, he could only see her side profile. She remained still, seemingly unaffected.

The auctioneer looked around and picked up his hammer to declare the final bid.

"30 million once, 30 million twice—"

"60 million."

Once again, the same dignified voice rang out, shocking everyone.

Natalie turned to James Harper.

She had started to recognize his pattern. He always placed his bids last, increasing the price so drastically that it became difficult for anyone to challenge him. It was as if he let others bid until they reached their limit, and only then would he step in, doubling the cost to ensure he won.

But at the same time, she couldn’t help but notice something else.

Meanwhile, the auctioneer enthusiastically slammed his hammer and declared, "This precious item now belongs to Mr. James Harper."

James could sense Natalie looking at him and turned to meet her gaze. "That’s a gift for you," he said before looking ahead.

She was taken aback.

He just spent 60 million on this... as a gift for me?

Until yesterday, she had thought he didn’t like her at all. But now... wasn’t he going overboard?