Chapter 4

Elara's POV

After leaving Hunt Corporation, I went to New York's largest underground auction house.

Next month was my wedding with Damon Hunt. Although it was a contractual marriage, Damon had given me enough dignity and respect on the phone. I wanted to prepare a wedding gift for him.

In the auction catalog, a pair of sapphire cufflinks from European royalty in the last century caught my eye. Expensive and luxurious. They seemed exactly like the feeling Damon gave me.

I checked my account. Although my main account was frozen, I still had some money in my personal account. Just enough to buy these cufflinks.

The auction progressed to the second half, and the cufflinks were finally presented on the display stand.

"Starting bid, two million."

I bid without hesitation. "Two million five hundred thousand."

"Three million." A female voice came from the front row.

I frowned and looked up to see Serena sitting on Nathan's lap, holding up her bidding paddle. Cole and Ethan sat on either side of her.

Just my luck.

I gritted my teeth and raised my paddle again. "Three million five hundred thousand."

Serena looked back at me, bit her lip pitifully, and acted coy with Nathan. "Nathan, those cufflinks are so beautiful. I want to buy them as a birthday gift for Cole, but it seems Elara really likes them too..."

Nathan laughed coldly and raised his paddle directly. "Five million."

The whole venue was shocked. Five million for a pair of cufflinks was way over market value.

My palms were sweating. I only had eight million in liquid funds in my account.

"Six million." I gritted my teeth and followed.

Ethan laughed mockingly. "Elara, we kicked you out, and you still have money left? Buying expensive men's cufflinks. Who are they for? Don't tell me you're trying to butter us up and get back in our good graces."

Cole said contemptuously, "It's useless. Anything you give, I'd find dirty."

I didn't even look at them, keeping my eyes on the auctioneer.

Nathan was enraged by my disregard and raised his paddle directly. "Eight million."

At that number, my heart sank completely. I had no more money to bid.

Just as the auctioneer was about to drop the hammer, Serena suddenly grabbed Nathan's hand. "Nathan, forget it. Elara doesn't even have a job now. This might be her last savings. I don't need them. Let her have them."

Nathan snorted coldly. "She's lucky. Serena, you're just too kind."

In the end, I bought the cufflinks for eight million. I emptied every penny in my account and walked out of the auction house with the beautifully packaged velvet box.

Just as I reached the main entrance, Serena blocked my path.

Cole and the others stood not far away smoking, not following over.

"Elara, can I see the cufflinks?" Serena's face wore a provocative smile. "Something you spent all your savings on must be very precious, right?"

I looked at her coldly. "Get lost."

"Don't be so stingy." Serena suddenly reached out and snatched the box from my hands.

"What are you doing!" I was furious, reaching to grab it back.

But Serena suddenly stepped back and loosened her hand.

Click.

The velvet box fell to the ground, and two exquisite sapphire cufflinks rolled out. Serena's high heel seemed to accidentally step forward, directly kicking one of the cufflinks into the nearby storm drain grate!

"Oh no!" Serena covered her mouth, crying out in surprise. "I'm so sorry, Elara. I didn't mean to. My hand slipped..."

My brain buzzed. That was the gift I'd spent all my money on for Damon!

I raised my hand and slapped Serena hard across the face!

Smack!

The crisp sound of the slap was especially loud in the night. Serena screamed and fell to the ground, clutching her face as she burst into tears.

"Elara, you're asking for death!"

Ethan was the first to rush over, shoving me aside. My back slammed hard into a solid column, making me gasp in pain.

Cole and Nathan also rushed over. Seeing Serena's swollen face, their eyes instantly became terrifying.

"Elara, you actually dared to hit her?!" Cole grabbed my throat, pinning me against the column, his eyes full of rage. "They're just cufflinks. Serena accidentally dropped them. We'll pay you double! How dare you get physical!"

"Pay?" I was being choked, struggling to breathe, but I still stared at them, a cold smile on my lips. "Pay with what? You blind trash don't even understand what's valuable!"

"You still dare to talk back!" Nathan's eyes were frightening. "Ethan, throw her in the lake nearby. Let her sober up!"

Ethan didn't hesitate. He came forward, grabbed my arm, and regardless of my struggles, dragged me toward the icy lakeside.

Splash!

The lake water was freezing, instantly swallowing my head.