The Billionaire's Hidden Bride A Lifetof Love 699 Chapter 699 You've Already Spent Enough...
A quiet chuckle escaped Gorman as he said, "Let them talk. Anyone who thinks you don't deserve that necklace clearly doesn't recognize beauty or value when they see it." Rather than continuing the pointless back-and-forth, Linsey chose to shift a topic.
After a brief pause, she spoke more seriously. "You've already spent enough tonight. This necklace is only going to get more expensive. There's no need to throw caution to the wind." Gorman gave her a respectful nod, but then, out of nowhere, he burst into laughter.
The sudden reaction caught Linsey off guard. "What's so funny?" she asked with a hint of confusion.
"It's nothing." Gorman waved a hand dismissively as his laughter faded.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhat he didn't share was the thought that had just crossed his mind-Linsey had sounded like a wife reminding her husband not to overspend.
Still, he kept that thought tucked away. Saying it aloud would only irritate her, and he wasn't about to push his luck.
On the other side, Collin sat still, though his attention had been drifting toward Linsey without him realizing it. His eyes were drawn to the way she and Gorman interacted, calm and familiar.
Each the imagined Linsey might have already had a daughter carrying her features with Gorman, a sharp pang and bitterness tightened in his chest.
If that child truly existed, then whatever chance he still held of reconciling with Linsey was gone for good.
In that scenario, he would spend the rest of his life watching her build a future with someone else, quietly carrying that regret wherever he went.
Just then, Haven leaned closer, her eyes still fixed on the necklace. "Collin, isn't this piece absolutely breathtaking?" Snapped out of his thoughts, Collin quickly straightened and replied in an even tone, "It's the centerpiece of the night. It's meant to impress." The lukewarm response made Haven's smile falter.
She tightened her lips, then deliberately added, "You know, my birthday's in just a little over two weeks. It'll be the first tI celebrate it back in Grester, which makes it feel especially important." Though Collin's mind wandered elsewhere, his face betrayed nothing. "Is that so?" he responded, his voice steady and even.
0.0% 1611 m3 I< ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐у SIJI LIOUJI- O-un Haven, picking up on his lack of enthusiasm, grew increasingly uneasy. His continued indifference gnawed at her patience.
She believed she had everything a man like Collin could possibly want-grace, intelligence, and charm-yet none of it seemed to matter to him.
In her mind, she had already dropped enough hints. Any man with a shred of decency would have taken the cue and offered to gift her that necklace for her birthday.
For someone like Collin, securing the necklace should have been effortless.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMoney wasn't the issue. As the founder of CR Corporation, he could buy out the entire auction if he pleased. What truly mattered was whether he wanted to make that gesture.
On stage, the auctioneer picked up the pace and addressed the crowd. "Esteemed guests, we'll begin the bidding for the Star of the Desert diamond necklace at $100 million!" The atmosphere in the room shifted. Whispers spread, and expressions changed. With that price, many of the admirers silently pulled back, losing their interest.
It wasn't surprising-most could only dream of competing at that level.
Moments passed before someone finally broke the silence. "$110 million." Another voice followed. "$120 million." Then canother. "$130 million."
The bidding climbed slowly, each number drawing more attentign Those seated farther back craned their necks, eager to witness just how far it would go. "$200 million!" someone shouted.
"$250 million," the next bidder said without a moment's hesitation.
A curious voice from the crowd suddenly rang out. "Isn't it odd Mr. Riley and Mr. Green haven't made a single move." 4 100.0% 1+ X+ +x 16:11 +4 X+ III O < Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After Chapter 700 We're