Chapter 109 That price had already far exceeded Sydney's budget. She was not foolish enough to blow a fortune on a root that was not even in perfect condition. To Caleb, though, that kind of money meant nothing. Before long, the bidding climbed all the way to 200,000 dollars. Sydney hesitated. She could keep pushing just to spite them. But what if Caleb stopped bidding? Then she would be the one stuck paying for it. Penelope turned to her, deliberately asking, "What's the matter, Syd? Why aren't you raising anymore?" "I don't want it." Sydney's tone was calm and even.
"Is it that you can't afford it, or that you just don't want it?" Penelope's voice practically dripped with triumph. For Caleb to publicly humiliate Sydney on her behalf-this was the exact scene Penelope had been waiting for. Now, she wanted to see whether, after tonight, the gossips would finally understand who they ought to curry favor with. "200,000, once." "200,000, twice." "200,000-" "2,000,000!" Before the gavel could fall, the room erupted. "Holy hell, someone just dropped a bomb!" "Who?" "You don't recognize him? Think.
Besides the heir of the Sterling family, who else in Jouleston would dare swoop in like this on Caleb?" Sydney turned at the commotion. Julian strolled forward in a tailored black suit with one hand in his pocket, moving as if the entire event belonged to him. The staff trailed behind nervously, not daring to guide him to a seat. Everyone waited to see which seat he would claim for himself. The heir of the Sterling family-his name was known across both political and business circles. And right now, he was walking directly toward her.
Sydney quickly looked away, just in time to hear Caleb chuckle. "You can't even cut me some slack here?" He knew Julian had never liked that he had married Sydney while still harboring feelings for someone else. For an older brother, resentment like that was natural. However, this was no longer mere resentment. This was tearing down the facade of peace in front of the entire room. Julian slowly undid the top button of his suit, his tone lazy and detached. "It's not about cutting you slack. Someone's got their eye on it.
If I don't win it for her, how am I supposed to explain myself?" Gasps rippled through the audience, followed by whispers. "My god, he's so hot! And who said he was some Grim Reaper? He's like a total gentleman! I'm dead!" "That's only because you've never seen the other side of him. When he goes for the kill, he doesn't even blink. Who in Jouleston isn't terrified of him?" "But did you hear that? He said he's buying it for someone. Sounds doting. Could it be that secretary of his? I heard her father just recovered from a serious illness." Speculation buzzed across the room.
Sydney quietly rose from her seat. She had no interest in being dragged further into this circus. Outside the auction hall, the buffet area stood nearly empty. Most guests were still inside. Sydney nibbled a piece of cake, drank half a glass of juice, and decided to leave early. But just as she set her glass down, her body suddenly felt wrong. Her fingers flew to her pulse. Her expression hardened instantly. The food she had just eaten had been tampered with. At a high-profile auction filled with Jouleston elites, no one would dare poison the entire spread. This was aimed specifically at her.
She wasted no time. She pulled a silver needle from her bag, pricked the right acupoint to delay the drug's effects, and strode quickly toward the elevators. She did not know who had drugged her, but she knew she had to get out-fast. "Ms. Syd-" Elliot had just stepped out of the restroom when he caught sight of her rushing past. He barely managed to call her name before she disappeared down the hall. At the elevator, Sydney jabbed the button repeatedly, desperate for it to come faster. Only inside a locked car would she feel safe.
The doors opened quickly, and when she saw it empty, she exhaled in relief and stepped forward. Unexpectedly, a hand clamped over her nose and mouth from behind. Before she could fight back, her consciousness slipped away. Through the haze, she still heard cheering from the hall. Caleb or Julian had probably just won something for the women at their side.