Chapter 8 Do You Know the Rules?

Samuel casually raised his paddle. "Five hundred million." Giada's voice was cold and firm as she raised hers. "One billion." Samuel hesitated, glancing at her. "Giada, do you even understand the rules of an auction?" She had just increased the bid by half a billion—how bold! Giada gave a detached, icy smile, her gaze distant as she stared at him, like he was a stranger. Her eyes revealed no emotion. "Isn't there no limit? Who's really the one who doesn't understand?" Samuel's brow furrowed. "One point one billion." Without a pause, Giada responded. "Two billion!" Just as Samuel moved to raise his paddle again, Ronald stopped him. "Samuel, if you go any higher—" "Hmph!" Samuel interrupted, shaking off Ronald's hand. "Two point five billion." Giada countered immediately. "Three billion." The room went silent, all eyes locked on Giada as she remained composed, her back to the crowd, her elegance drawing all attention. Samuel scowled. She's doing this deliberately. Tilda's eyes widened with shock. Where did Giada find such courage? She's just a simple country girl—where is she getting all this money? Giada had stolen the spotlight, and with it, Samuel's focus. What used to be her glory, a symbol of Samuel's love, was now taken from her. Tilda seethed. Giada is doing this just to ruin my happiness. This woman is truly wicked. Using someone else's money to save face—she truly has no shame. A radiant, captivating smile tugged at Giada's lips, like the bright colors of a sunset—beautiful, yet dangerous. When Samuel saw that smile, everything around him seemed to freeze. Her eyes were clear, untainted—this side of her appeared only in front of him. He clenched his jaw, feeling an unfamiliar ache deep within. He could match her in terms of wealth, but even with all his money, he knew he could never compare to her—not now, and probably never. Before he could raise his paddle again, Ronald whispered urgently to him. "Samuel, don't. A month ago, I got word—the heir to Reign Estate has returned. There will be many future partnerships. Don't forget your long-term goals." Samuel glanced at Giada, his jaw tight, but he reluctantly held back. There will be more chances. I will surpass Alfie someday. Tilda, pretending to understand, spoke up, "Samuel, just let Ms. Bensone have it. Don't spend that much on me." Though she desperately wanted to outbid Giada, she knew better than to get too caught up in the moment. She had bigger concerns ahead. Giada wasn't going to let Samuel win this game. Samuel remained silent, holding back his anger. In the end, Giada claimed the violet diamond for three billion. She quickly completed the paperwork and had a bodyguard deliver the diamond to her grandfather, Darell Baron. As she was heading to the parking lot, she overheard Ronald's voice from around the corner. Her eyes flashed briefly as she stopped, listening. "Tilda, don't be upset. Next time, when a better gem comes along, I'll make sure Samuel buys it for you. He's finally seeing the light. He doesn't care about that wooden woman anymore. His eyes are on you now. There will be more stunning gems to come. "Forget about Giada. Sure, she's pretty, but she's useless. Unlike you. You're so cute and loveable. If Samuel hadn't chosen you first, I would've already gone after you. "We made a bet, remember? Samuel and Giada wouldn't last three years. Look—they're already divorced. Now you're the one he loves. That dumb woman isn't even worth your time. She's beneath you." A wave of disgust washed over Giada, and her lips curled involuntarily. Ronald was truly the perfect simp. She knew Samuel's circle had always looked down on her. She was an orphan from a small town—just the kind of person they thought was beneath them. The Bensones' adopted child, discarded in the countryside. But to her, these people were nothing. "Ronald, have you said enough?" she called out, her voice sharp and commanding. Samuel's angry shout echoed through the hall. "Hey, Samuel, why are you so mad? Isn't it the truth? It's a good thing you held back. Otherwise, Tilda, this beautiful, sweet little thing, would've been mine. Giada—what's she even good for? She's better off gone. You can't even announce you're married to her. That shows how miserable this past year has been for you." He didn't love Giada. He could never shake the feeling that she was hiding something. He partied and flirted in front of her, but every time he met her gaze—those clear, beautiful eyes—it made him feel like the worst kind of man. "You ... " Samuel's eyes widened as Giada strode toward them.