Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 163

The host's voice echoed around the room, reaching Julie's ears through the speakers, "What we have here is a chrysoberyl ring. Chrysoberyl is known for two special optical effects - the color change effect and the cat's eye effect. It's quite a rare mineral and is widely considered as one of the most precious gemstones in the world. Those chrysoberyls that exhibit both effects are especially rare. The ring we have here is made from such a chrysoberyl. If you take a closer look, you can see 'Zeus&Queen' engraved inside the ring."

The host explained that since the designer of the ring was unknown, and there were no records on the ring, people could only interpret the engraving literally and couldn't ascertain the actual meaning.

The host continued, "In the early 19th century, the Veridia Natural History Museum acquired a piece of chrysoberyl named The Hope Emerald. The Hope Emerald is incredibly clear, sparkling, without any spots or flaws. It's also quite large and perfect. It was considered as a rare treasure. Studies have confirmed that the ring we're auctioning today is made from the same chrysoberyl excavated with The Hope Emerald. The starting bid for this 'Zeus&Queen' ring is $1.68 million. Let's start the bidding."

When the host announced the price, Julie was shocked. She had never dreamed that her mother's ring could be so valuable. She still remembered that before her mother slapped her, she did see letters inside the ring. Because the letters were so small, she even used a magnifying glass to look at them.

Despite being slapped, she still remembered the spelling of the letters clearly.

She never knew the ring was so expensive. If a ring was this valuable, why did her mother and father live such a long time in poverty? Why did her father end up bankrupt?

As Julie lost herself in thought, the bidding for the ring had already reached $2.87 million.

Suddenly, Kieran, sitting next to Julie, quietly raised his bid paddle and calmly said, "Five million."

Julie looked at him in surprise, her clear eyes full of questions.

He gave her a comforting look, then put down his bid paddle and smiled, "This ring looks familiar. I think you'd like it."

Of course, he would find this ring familiar...

Julie had once told Kieran about the first time she got smacked because of this ring...

The auctioneer wasn't surprised by Kieran's high bid. He picked up the auction hammer and said, "No.28, five million for the first time...five million for the second time...five million for the third time..."

"Six million."

Just as the auctioneer's hammer was about to fall, suddenly, a strange voice came from a corner.

Everyone looked towards the source of the voice.

The man had No.49 card. He wasn't tall, looked in his thirties. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he had two bodyguards in black suits standing next to him. He slowly put down his card, staring at the ring on the auction stage with determination.

The auctioneer was about to speak, but Kieran raised his card again, "Eight million."

Julie was shocked once more, she grabbed Kieran's sleeve instinctively, "What are you doing?"

Her beautiful eyes were full of questions.

But Kieran turned to look at No.49.

Sure enough, he raised his card again, "Eight million and ten thousand."

Kieran raised his card again while Julie was distracted, "Eight million and fifty thousand."

"Are you out of your mind?" Julie turned to Kieran and whispered.

No.49 must be out of his mind too. He raised his card again, "Eight million and fifty-two thousand."

Julie's voice was very low just now, only Elliot and Adeline next to her could barely hear.

Adeline counted on her fingers and then nodded to Julie, "They must be crazy. Who would pay eight million and fifty-two thousand for a rock?"

"That's my mother's ring." Julie whispered to Adeline.

Just as Kieran was about to raise his paddle again, Adeline boldly took Elliot's paddle and shouted, "Eight million and fifty-five thousand!!"

Everyone in the room turned to look at Adeline in confusion. Everyone thought it was a competition between No.28 and No.49. No one expected No.27 to suddenly join.

Elliot took his paddle back from Adeline and knocked on her head, "What are you doing?"

Adeline pouted, "I'm helping you! I know how important a mother's treasured jewelry is to a daughter. I'm helping you bid for your girl, you don't thank me and even hit me! Do you know how to woo a woman? You really need to learn from Mr. Hernandez! I'm teaching you..."

"Nine million." Suddenly, a deep voice came from No.49.

Everyone gasped.