Cullen's laugh held a rich warmth that made Niall's pulse quicken. "Go ahead. You mentioned your grandmother adores these pieces."
His easy encouragement sent a flutter through her chest. She lifted her paddle with renewed confidence. "60 million."
Maverick's counter came without hesitation. "70 million."
He twisted in his seat to address Cullen directly, his voice carrying across the auction hall. "Mr. Dennis, you know how my family treasures these antiques. Perhaps you could be generous and allow an old friend this victory?"
Cullen's response came with calculated politeness, though his tone carried an edge of finality. "I'm afraid that won't be possible, Mr. Harris. I also have family members who would cherish this piece."
Neither man bothered to lower their voices, ensuring their exchange reached every ear in the immediate vicinity. Veronica felt each word like a physical blow.
The vase was destined for Sophia, Niall's paternal grandmother. Yet Cullen spoke of her as his own family, claiming the Crystal lineage as naturally as breathing. The casual assumption in his words revealed everything about where his loyalties lay.
The contrast with how he treated her own relatives couldn't have been sharper.
Niall's paddle rose again, her voice steady despite the astronomical figure. "85 million."
This time, Maverick remained seated, his competitive spirit finally dampened by the escalating price.
The auctioneer's gavel fell, sealing Niall's victory at 85 million. Once again, every pair of eyes in the room fixed on their table with a mixture of awe and envy.
Even with the win secured, anxiety gnawed at Niall's composure. The Crystal family possessed considerable wealth, and her grandmother's passion for collecting had cost them millions over the years. But approaching 100 million for a single acquisition crossed into territory that would leave her relatives speechless with shock.
The memory of Cullen's initial instruction made her stomach flutter with nervous energy. He had casually suggested she bid up to 100 million, as if the sum meant nothing to him. She had taken the initiative to stop at 85 million, thinking it excessive.
His cavalier attitude toward such staggering amounts made her heart race with something between gratitude and disbelief.
Whitney's profanity cut through the murmur of the crowd. "Holy hell! That's nearly 100 million!"
The combined total of both auction victories hovered dangerously close to nine figures. The reality of such expenditure made her entire body tense with a mixture of envy and disbelief.
Veronica's lips compressed into a thin line, her complexion turning ashen. Whitney caught the change immediately. "Ver, what's wrong with you?"
The sight of Cullen lavishing such extravagant gifts on his mistress should have been infuriating enough. That the mistress happened to be the daughter of her father's own kept woman only added insult to injury.
But Veronica's distress ran deeper than simple jealousy. "Cullen's financial choices are his own business. I have no interest in his spending habits.
"What concerns me is the practical reality. If he and Niall decide they want something I'm bidding on, my resources won't even come close to competing with theirs."
Understanding dawned in Whitney's expression. "Right. But she's already claimed two major pieces tonight. Surely she won't keep going."
The hope in her voice sounded thin even to her own ears.
Veronica knew better. Cullen's wealth operated on a scale that made hundreds of millions seem like pocket change. He could easily continue this spending spree without the slightest concern for the mounting costs.
As if summoned by her thoughts, the embroidered painting she had been coveting appeared on stage.
The auctioneer opened with a five million starting bid. An eager voice immediately responded. "Six million."
Veronica raised her paddle without hesitation. "Seven million."
Niall had been absorbed in quiet conversation with Cullen, paying little attention to the other bidders. But Veronica's voice carried clearly enough to catch her attention. She turned, and their gazes collided across the auction hall.
Niall's expression remained perfectly neutral. She faced forward again and lifted her paddle with deliberate calm. "Ten million."
The casual dismissal hit Veronica like a physical blow.
Niall had not only recognized her but chosen to enter the bidding anyway. Even worse, Veronica felt certain Cullen had heard her voice as well, yet he hadn't even bothered to glance in her direction.
Whitney's outrage erupted in a harsh whisper. "Are you serious right now? She's actually going to keep bidding?"
Maverick's voice joined the competition. "15 million."
Veronica's jaw tightened as she raised her paddle again. "18 million."
Niall didn't turn around this time. Her response came with infuriating casualness. "25 million."