Love’s Cunning Ruse

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.

-3

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.

Even Albertine not far away couldn’t help but widen her eyes and look at No.49. She whispered, “My

God, he’s really willing to spend!”

Kieran silently looked at No.49’s card and then at No.49’s face. He heard the auctioneer’s voice slowly

rise, “No.49, nine million for the first time…”

He reached out to grab his paddle, but….

Julie was holding his paddle tightly, refusing to give it to him.

With a resigned but indulgent smile, Kieran said, “Sweetie, give it to me.”

If she really gave it to him, then she must be crazy!

Julie shook her head, looking at him seriously, “Stop bidding.”

The other party was clearly determined. If they continued to bid, the price would only go higher and

higher. Although the proceeds from the auction would all go to charity, Julie felt there was no need to

go overboard.

Adeline, seizing the moment when Elliot was distracted, excitedly handed the 27th paddle to Kieran,

“Here! Bid 10 million! You can definitely beat that 49th guy!”

Kieran took the paddle, hearing the auctioneer’s voice echoing, “Number 49, 9 million for the third

time…”

The deal was about to be sealed. Julie practically threw herself onto Kieran, stopping his arm from

being raised. She looked at Kieran with sincerity, “That’s something my mother treasured, not me. Even

if I got the ring back, I wouldn’t get my mother back. Seeing it would just bring back memories. I

appreciate your kindness…”

“SOLD!” The auctioneer’s voice came from the stage.

Julie breathed a sigh of relief, glad she didn’t let Kieran pay more than 9 million for her mother’s ring.

Then, she heard Kieran’s lazy yet magnetic voice overhead, “Who said I was buying the ring for you?”

Julie was confused for a good 30 seconds before she finally caught on: Did she misinterpret?

Did Mr. Hernandez just want to buy an art piece for his collection? He didn’t specifically say he was

buying the ring for her…

She slowly let go of Kieran, then mentally chided herself: Julie, you’re such a fool!

Seeing her awkward expression, Kieran pulled out his phone and sent a message to Karl, “Find out

who number 49 is at the auction.”

Just after sending the message, Kieran turned his head and found the man had disappeared.

Adeline looked at Julie, “Did you think your husband couldn’t afford it?”

Julie was still feeling embarrassed.

“If that’s the case, you should’ve said so! If I had known, Elliot would’ve bought it for you.” Adeline

seemed to still hold a grudge against Kieran and Elliot, otherwise, she wouldn’t be sarcastic at every

turn.

Elliot helplessly looked at Julie and Kieran, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought her.”

“I didn’t want to come with you in the first place!” Adeline glared at Elliot.

Elliot grabbed Adeline, “Let’s go say hi to Lionel!”

Then he led Adeline away.

Julie stayed silent for a while before turning to Kieran, “I apologize for my rudeness, Mr. Hernandez.”

Her tone was cold, as if they were strangers.

After a few seconds of silence, Kieran looked at Julie with a hint of disappointment, “You cost me a

collectible. How do you plan to compensate?”

Julie wanted to curse at him, but held back, “I’m already married to you, what else could I use to

compensate you?”

He stared quietly into Julie’s eyes, breaking into a small smile, “If I can’t collect the art I love for the rest

of my life, I guess I’ll just have to collect you.”

Julie remembered a line from a book that stuck with her, “I’m just waiting for someone willing to hold my

hand and walk with me for the rest of my life. I don’t want to experience meaningless, unclear, and

unfruitful relationships. I’ve always longed to be treasured, carefully stored, and meticulously

preserved. I hope to no longer fear, to no longer worry, to no longer be aimless. But I know, I’ve always

known, that person will never appear.”

Julie stared blankly at Kieran, who was looking at her with love, lost in thought…

Outside the auction, the man with the number 49 under the protection of two bodyguards, pulled out his

phone, dialed a number, then spoke respectfully into the phone, “Yes, I’ve bought it. The final price was

9 million… Okay, I know what to do. Don’t worry…”