However, she clearly had no time to notice.

The items being paraded across the auction stage were more than enough to captivate her.

Whether weapons or Crystal Cores, seeing them in person was far more tempting than just looking at photos.

’I want them all! What am I supposed to do?!’

Of course, she was just looking on with a covetous gaze. Even when Marcus Monroe, her "temporary lover," dutifully asked if she wanted anything, she firmly refused him every time. That is, until that pair of earrings came into view...

The starting bid for the earrings was five hundred Third-stage Crystal Cores. At a 50:1 conversion rate, that was only ten Fourth-stage Crystal Cores, making it one of the cheapest items up for auction.

It was just a filler item to build anticipation for the main event—a fact not lost on anyone present. The earrings might have been considered antiques before the apocalypse, but now, aside from having a higher value artificially assigned to them, their only real purpose was to fill a woman’s jewelry box.

Bidders were few and far between. When the price reached seven hundred Third-stage Crystal Cores and the auctioneer was calling it for the second time, Paige Summers decisively pressed the bidding device at her side.

The auctioneer on stage immediately received the update. "Guest 73 bids seven hundred and fifty Third-stage Crystal Cores!" But before he could call it again, the next bid that came in gave him pause. "Guest 68 bids eight hundred Third-stage Crystal Cores!"

Number 68 was Shawn Monroe’s paddle number.

Instantly, the gazes of both Paige Summers and Marcus Monroe snapped toward Shawn Monroe, only to see him frowning slightly and looking at the person beside him. It was only then that they realized the one who had actually placed the bid was Nora Lowell!

"Oh? Paige, you like these earrings too? What a coincidence. I..." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Before she could finish, Paige Summers pressed the bidding device again.

"Guest 73 bids eight hundred and fifty Third-stage Crystal Cores!"

’It wasn’t that she was being petty, but if she waited for Nora Lowell to finish her slow, pointless explanation, the earrings would likely be sold to her. What would be the point of saying she liked them and had to have them then?’

Nora Lowell glanced at her, her eyes flickering over to Marcus Monroe before she suddenly smiled. "I’m sorry, but I truly adore them. It looks like we’ll have to compete for them, then."

Down on the stage, the auctioneer received the new bid and grew visibly excited. "Guest 68 bids twenty Fourth-stage Crystal Cores! A truly discerning eye for a masterpiece! Not only is the jade in these earrings of superior quality, they also..."

As he hyped up the item, a murmur rippled through the crowd on the main floor.

"Could those things actually help someone Promote?"

"No way. We’ve seen similar items in past years. They’re just accessories!"

"But this year’s different, isn’t it? Didn’t you see the people in the private boxes driving the price higher and higher? Twenty Fourth-stage Crystal Cores for a pair of earrings?!"

"Well... who knows! They probably have more Crystal Cores than they know what to do with!"

"...Could you be any more clueless?"

"How dare you call me clueless! If you’re so smart, why don’t you bid on them!"

"You think I’m crazy enough to compete with the people up there?"

"..."

Despite their many doubts, no one on the main floor actually joined the bidding. Meanwhile, the price war within that single private box continued to rage.

"Guest 73, twenty-one Fourth-stage Crystal Cores! This guest is relentless in her pursuit of the earrings, a testament to their irresistible allure! Don’t miss this opportunity, ladies and gentlemen, please..."

"Hold on, the competition strikes again! Guest 68, twenty-five Fourth-stage Crystal Cores!"

"Guest 73, twenty-six Fourth-stage Crystal Cores!"

"Guest 68, thirty Fourth-stage Crystal Cores!"

"..."

The price of the earrings skyrocketed as Paige Summers and Nora Lowell bid against each other!

Marcus Monroe was amused by the spectacle. He wasn’t the least bit worried about Paige Summers being unable to win. As he’d told her on the way over, her current fortune was enough to buy the most expensive item in the entire auction, let alone this pair of earrings. Besides, since he’d already said he would be footing the bill, the price mattered even less to him. Rather, it was Paige’s expression—like a bristling kitten—and her obstinate attitude that he found utterly fascinating. It was the first time he had seen this side of her.

In contrast to his leisurely demeanor, Shawn Monroe was clearly growing impatient.

’A stupid pair of earrings... Are they really worth all this drama?’

’Women will be women!’

But he could also see that both of them were genuinely set on getting these earrings.

’What a pain!’

’Logically, he should help Nora Lowell win. Their relationship would certainly grow closer. But doing so would infuriate Paige Summers, who had bid first.’ The thought of her furious glare made him snort inwardly.

’Does that girl really think I’d back down because of Marcus Monroe?’

’What a joke!’

’Not only am I going to win her over, but I’m going to make her willingly admit that I’m leagues better than Marcus Monroe!’

With that thought, he made up his mind. He excused himself from the private box to find an attendant on their floor.

Even though the two women were locked in a fierce bidding war, everyone in the box noticed his departure. No one was a fool; there could only be one reason for him to leave at a time like this—the earrings.