The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 614

This bidding war…

Are they just burning money for fun?

Seeing how things were escalating, Stella leaned in and whispered, “Antoney, stop raising the bid. I only sold that painting for two hundred thousand back then. If they’re crazy enough to pay eight million, let them have it.”

Antoney shook his head, eyes fixed on her. “Star, I’m not backing down so easily this time. And don’t worry about the money—I’ll ask my father for a loan if I need to.”

Stella insisted, “Antoney, this painting just isn’t worth that much.”

At that moment, the auctioneer began the countdown.

“Eight million—any more bids? Eight million, going once…”

Neville, who’d been quiet all along, suddenly raised his paddle.

“Nine million.”

Stella and Abby exchanged startled glances, turning to look at him.

Stella said, “Mr. Connolly, you really don’t have to waste your money on this painting. It’s not worth the price.”

Neville just smiled, the corner of his mouth turning up. “Says who? If you love it, that’s all that matters.”

Simone frowned. “Isn’t it a violation of her rights to paint Aurora without permission? Can’t we ask the seller to pull it from the auction?”

Sherman sighed. “We thought about that when we first saw the painting. But the artist is slippery. He only left the pseudonym ‘summer’—no way to trace him, and even the original buyer can’t get in touch. Plus, it’s only her silhouette. When we contacted the auction house, they flat out denied it was Aurora at all.”

A few years ago, Sherman and Aurora had stumbled upon this very painting. Back then, Aurora wanted it desperately, but even at a million, it was out of reach—they were both still students. Sherman was living paycheck to paycheck, and Aurora never relied on her family for money. Neither had the cash, so they could only watch as someone else snatched it up.

Aurora smiled. “Honestly, I really do love this painting. It may look simple, but that’s what makes it a true test of an artist’s skill. Whoever painted this has a solid foundation—at least ten years’ experience, I’d bet. I’ve followed ‘summer’ for a while; his technique improves with every piece. I suspect he’s had some serious training lately, to progress that much.”

With that, Aurora lifted her paddle, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Ten million.”