The Billionaire’s Surprise Twins by A Young Cabbage

Chapter 355: I Was Just Joking

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As their voices trailed off, another comment filled the air, “One billion, huh? Is Sinclaire Jewelry

that desperate for fame? A billion for a mere diamond necklace – do they think we are fools?”

Many eyes turned to Claire Donovan with skepticism and a hint of schadenfreude. If she couldn’t

handle this well, her hard–earned reputation in the industry might crumble overnight. Tomorrow’s

fashion news headlines might accuse COCO of using shills to artificially inflate her auction prices.

Julia Sanders and Cassie Palmer’s smiles stiffened. They knew Claire hadn’t employed any shills, but

being associated with her, their words wouldn’t be credible to the crowd.

Sean Vanderbilt frowned slightly and leaned towards Claire, whispering, “Can you handle this.

Claire?”

Claire waved her hand nonchalantly, then her gaze settled on the first row’s mysterious woman. With a

playful tone, she addressed her, “The lady in the first row, do you genuinely like this diamond

necklace?”

The woman, who had not turned until now, let out a soft chuckle, stood up gracefully, and turned to face

Claire directly. With a smile, she replied, “Of course.”

Gasps and whispers erupted as she revealed her identity. Mia Ashworth’s eyes nearly bulged out of

their sockets in disbelief. “She’s here? How did no one know?”

Sean Vanderbilt watched the woman with an amused smile, not uttering a word.

Claire blinked, recognizing the woman but unable to place her. Turning to Sean, she whispered. “Who

is she?”

Sean cleared his throat and replied seriously, “Alice, the owner of YJYO.”

Julia Sanders couldn’t help but burst out laughing upon hearing the name. Cassie Palmer quickly

covered her mouth with a tissue, “Calm down, watch your image.”

Julia nodded, wiping her mouth and trying to compose herself, “I’m not excited, not at all.” But she

couldn’t suppress her laughter, “Sorry, I just can’t help it!”

seria asup har lank of ovseneration nraceing Julia’e fare noninct Frederick Vandarhilt’e

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Chapter 355: 1 Was Just Joking

Cassie gave her a look of exasperation, pressing Julia’s face against Frederick Vanderbilt’s

shoulder.

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Frederick frowned and looked at Cassie, who apologetically said, “Mr. Frederick, could you please

help control her emotions? This moment is crucial for Claire.”

Frederick understood and glanced at Julia, who was trying hard to suppress her laughter, her

shoulders shaking uncontrollably on his shoulder.

As they finished speaking, another voice rose, “One billion for a diamond necklace, huh? Is Sinclaire

Jewelry so desperate for fame? They must think we’re fools.”

Many glanced at Claire Donovan with mocking skepticism, their looks laden with schadenfreude. If she

couldn’t handle this situation well, her reputation in the industry could be destroyed overnight,

potentially leading to headlines about COCO using shills to inflate her auction prices.

Julia Sanders and Cassie Palmer’s smiles froze, well aware that Claire hadn’t used any shills. But

since they were associated with her, their words wouldn’t carry much weight.

Sean Vanderbilt, frowning slightly, leaned toward Claire and asked softly, “Can you handle this.

Claire?”

Claire casually gestured to him, then focused on the woman in the first row, her voice cool and

playful, “The lady in the first row, do you truly like this necklace?”

The woman, who had not turned until now, chuckled softly, then stood up and turned gracefully.

meeting Claire’s gaze directly with a playful smile, “Of course.”

The room erupted with gasps and whispers as her identity was revealed, even causing Mia Ashworth’s

eyes to nearly pop out in disbelief.

Seeing the shocked reactions, Sean Vanderbilt smiled knowingly but remained silent.

Claire, recognizing the woman but unable to recall her name, whispered to Sean, “Who is she?”

Sean cleared his throat and replied earnestly, “Alice, the owner of YJYO.”

Julia Sanders laughed out loud, prompting Cassie Palmer to quickly cover her mouth with a tissue,

“Calm down, remember your image.”

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Chapter 355: I Was Just Joking

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Julia nodded, wiping her mouth before trying to contain her laughter, “I’m trying to stay calm.” But she

couldn’t help but burst out laughing again.

Cassie rolled her eyes and pressed Julia’s face against Frederick Vanderbilt’s shoulder.

Frederick frowned and looked at Cassie, who said apologetically, “Mr. Frederick, please help her

control her emotions. This is a critical moment for Claire.”

Understanding, Frederick turned to Julia, whose shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter.

Alice then addressed Mia Ashworth and Luna Lyons with a playful smile, “Do you really think I’d act

as a shill for COCO?”

The earlier skeptics quickly changed their tune, denying any such thoughts.

Mia Ashworth and Luna Lyons sat silently, knowing full well that Alice, as the owner of YJYO,

wouldn’t stoop to such a role for Claire Donovan.

Alice turned to the second–row woman who had bid against her, “You seem to like the necklace as

much as I do, but the price is now far too high. Everyone thought I was a shill…”

The woman in the second row chuckled lightly and agreed, “Indeed, the price is steep for a necklace.

but it’s COCO’s design and craftsmanship that I value.”

Alice smiled elegantly. “I feel the same. So, if you still want it, I won’t back down.”

This was a clear sign that if the woman bid higher, Alice would continue to compete. Few in the room

dared to match financial strength with the owner of YJYO.

The woman shrugged with a regretful smile, “Then, I must step back.”

Claire Donovan’s simple question led Alice to clarify everything, silencing any further doubts.

The necklace was sold for an astonishing one billion. After the auction ended, Alice stood up and

walked towards Claire and her group.

Claire and Sean had already stood up, and seeing Alice approach, Claire paused and greeted her with

a

smile.

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Chapter 355:1 Was Just Joking

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This was a clear sign that if the woman bid higher, Alice would continue to compete. Few in the room

dared to match financial strength with the owner of YJYO.

The woman shrugged with a regretful smile, “Then, I must step back.”

Claire Donovan’s simple question led Alice to clarify everything, silencing any further doubts.

The necklace was sold for an astonishing one billion. After the auction ended, Alice stood up and

walked towards Claire and her group.

Claire and Sean had already stood up, and seeing Alice approach, Claire paused and greeted her with

a

smile.

“COCO,” Alice greeted, extending her hand, “Hello, I’ve long admired your work.”

Claire responded with a light smile and a firm handshake.

Alice then turned to Sean with a smile, “I never imagined COCO would leave her comfort zone to

venture out. Despite numerous invitations from top international jewelry companies, you never

accepted any. If not for this exhibition, I wouldn’t have known you were with the CEO of Vanderbilt

Group.”

Sean chuckled softly, gently holding Claire’s hand, Alice was known in the industry as a decisive and

demanding businesswoman, not one easily dealt with.