Married First, Loved Later : A Flash Marriage with My Ex’s "Uncle" - Chapter 166

Chapter 166: A Battle Between Two Women Chapter 166: A Battle Between Two Women The auction hall fell into complete silence.

Bella’s expression froze, and the surrounding crowd quickly snapped out of their shock, exchanging bewildered glances.

Ten million?

Selina?!

This watch had just been bid up to ten million-wasn’t Miss Hayes saying Selina was too stingy to spend money?

Why was this not going as expected?

Selina seemed to have anticipated the stunned reaction.

She spoke lightly, “Ten million.

Is there a problem with that price?” The auctioneer finally regained his senses.

“No problem, no problem!

Miss Clark has bid ten million.

Is there anyone willing to bid higher?” Bella’s face turned ashen.

Her entire body trembled with rage.

What the hell was Selina doing?!

She had already bid five million, and now Selina just had to push the price higher.

Was she deliberately going against her?!

Rose was fuming as well.

Without thinking, she snapped, “Selina, are you insane?!

Raising the bid by five million in one go-do you even know the rules?!” Selina lazily ran her fingers through her hair, her eyes sweeping over Rose with a meaningful smirk.

“Of course, it’s because I have a kind heart.

Isn’t this all for charity-to donate to children in impoverished areas?” “What’s wrong, Miss Hayes?

Are you saying I’m not allowed to be generous?” The words landed like a slap across Rose’s face.

Just moments ago, she had been sneering at Selina for being stingy and refusing to donate.

Now, Selina had just proven otherwise.

Not only was she spending money, but a lot of it.

Rose’s face burned red, her fingers trembling with anger.

“You-you’re just being unreasonable!

You’re only doing this because my cousin-” “How is this unreasonable?” Selina feigned confusion.

“Is your cousin the only one allowed to spend money?

And if Miss Hayes truly wants it, she can always raise her bid.” Rose was about to argue further when- “Rose.” Bella cut her off just in time.

Her expression was dark, but she forced herself to act indifferent.

She gritted her teeth before sighing.

“Forget it, let her have it.

There are plenty more valuable items later.” Selina raised an eyebrow, watching as the watch was brought over to her.

Logan chuckled softly beside her, leaning in close as his voice dropped into a low murmur.

“Ten million.

Mrs.

Reid, do you need my help with that?” His voice was gentle, smooth as silk, sending a subtle shiver down her spine.

Selina, ever honest, shook her head.

“I have money.

Besides, didn’t you come for the final auction item tonight?

What if you give me your money and don’t have enough for that?” Logan’s smirk deepened.

Ah, so Mrs.

Reid truly underestimates my financial strength.

Not far away, Luke muttered under his breath, “She doesn’t seem stingy at all.

Why did Bella say she was so petty and calculative?” The crowd, too, had begun to change their opinions.

“Selina didn’t even flinch at spending ten million.

Honestly… she might even be wealthier than Bella.” “Could it be that Miss Hayes’ earlier remarks were just jealousy…?” Rose was on the verge of exploding.

“Cousin, don’t listen to them!

There’s no way Selina is richer than you!

That ten million was probably all she had.

Some people like to pretend they’re wealthy, but they don’t even have the financial strength to back it up!” Hearing that, Bella’s tear-filled eyes finally softened into a small, victorious smile.

“Alright, Rose, don’t say that about Selina.

After all, she did it for the children in need.” Luke frowned slightly, feeling that something about Bella’s words felt… off.

Just then, the next auction item was brought onto the stage.

Rose’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Cousin, look!

This is something Selina definitely can’t afford!” The auctioneer introduced the item: “Up next is an imperial painting, lost for over two hundred years.

It holds immense historical and artistic value.

The starting price is nine million.” Rose leaned in, grinning.

“Cousin, Logan loves collecting antique paintings.

If you win this, he might even ask to borrow it for study-what better chance to get closer to him?” Bella’s heart skipped a beat.

That’s right-this painting was something Logan was interested in.

She had to win it!

Soon, Bella and another male bidder had raised the price to twenty million.

After the man backed out, the auctioneer began the final countdown.

Bella nervously glanced at Selina.

From the very beginning, Selina hadn’t even spared the painting a single look, as if she had no interest in it at all.

Bella exhaled in relief.

Rose sneered mockingly, “See, cousin?

I told you she was just putting on a show.

She’s run out of money.

There are still so many valuable items left, but too bad-some people just don’t have the qualifications to buy them.” Bella finally felt like she was regaining her dignity.

“Rose, Selina probably just doesn’t like paintings.” Rose scoffed.

“Not interested?

Didn’t she say she was so generous and full of love?

Why isn’t she bidding now?” “Some people only know how to talk about generosity.

Not like you, cousin-you actually follow through, donating real money instead of empty words.” Bella smiled modestly.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough.

Let’s not make a scene-” “Thirty million.” Selina’s voice rang out, calm and unbothered.

A dead silence swept through the entire auction hall.

Then, she turned back with a bright, amused smile.

“Miss Hayes is right-some people talk about donating money, but when it comes time to actually pay, somehow, the money never leaves their pockets.

Now that’s truly laughable.” Logan let out a soft chuckle.

Mrs.

Reid was relentless-never missing a single opportunity to strike back.

Bella’s entire expression froze.

Was Selina out of her mind?

Thirty million?!

And what did she mean by “the money never leaves their pockets”?

Was she mocking her?!

But thirty million… She needed to save her money for the violin!

She couldn’t waste it on this!

Bella’s lips trembled, her forced smile nearly cracking as she bit down on her lip.

“…Since Selina likes it so much… I’ll let her have it.” Selina shrugged indifferently.

From that moment on, the auction transformed into a silent battlefield between Bella and Selina.

Every time Bella bid, Selina would follow up with a price ten million higher, effortlessly securing each item.

By the end, Bella had spent only two million, the amount she had bid at the beginning-while Selina had spent extravagant sums, outbidding her every time.

For the Hayes Family, who prided themselves on their elite status, spending only two million at a charity auction was an utter embarrassment.

Finally, Rose couldn’t hold it in anymore.

With a loud bang, she shot up from her seat, pointing a trembling finger at Selina and screaming in rage.

“You bitch!

You’re doing this on purpose!

You just want to humiliate our Hayes Family, don’t you?!

Why do you keep stealing my cousin’s things?!

Is it because she and Mr.

Reid were childhood sweethearts?

Are you jealous?!” The hall fell into a suffocating silence.

Even Logan’s expression darkened.

Selina casually placed her bid before leaning back with a cold, mocking smirk.

“Stealing?

I placed legitimate bids in an open auction-how is that ‘stealing’?” Her voice turned even icier.

“If Miss Hayes is unhappy about losing, she should keep bidding.

Since the Hayes Family apparently can’t afford it, is she now trying to stop me from bidding too?” Rose clenched her fists in frustration.

“You’re twisting words!” Desperate, she turned to Logan for support.

“Mr.

Reid, isn’t Selina going too far?!

Say something fair!” In that instant, every pair of eyes in the room shifted toward Logan.

Bella’s heart pounded in anticipation, her gaze soft and expectant.

She bit her lip, looking delicate and pitiful-hoping Logan would defend her in this moment.

Unfortunately for her…