Chapter 184

Celine Valmont's words instantly chilled Aria Bennett's gaze.

"The auction rules are simple—highest bidder wins," Aria replied with a cold smile, her crimson lips curving though her eyes remained icy. "If it's too expensive for you, feel free to drop out."

She hadn't planned to interfere, but Celine's arrogant demeanor was insufferable.

Did this woman really think she was untouchable?

Aria's fingers brushed lightly over her small handbag, and a wisp of miasmic energy slithered unseen into Celine's body.

If this woman relied on blood magic to gamble on jade, Aria would make sure she never could again.

Celine shuddered but dismissed it as the venue's air conditioning.

"You really want to cross me?" Celine hissed, keeping her voice low to avoid drawing Damian Cross and Nolan Reed's attention.

Aria chuckled. "You overestimate your importance, Celine."

"Take your brother's advice and look in the mirror first," she added breezily, each word a deliberate stab. "Self-awareness is a virtue."

Celine's face darkened with rage. "You'll regret this!"

Just a minor celebrity—she had plenty of ways to ruin her.

The bidding war escalated until the price hit three million, which Aria secured effortlessly.

Celine tried to counter, but Lucien Valmont and their gemologist stopped her.

"Three million is excessive," Lucien frowned.

Celine shot Aria a venomous glare, unaware that the jade inside that rough stone was far more valuable than she imagined. Aria had just made an incredible profit.

Aria abstained from the seventh and tenth lots, but Elias Vaughn aggressively outbid the Valmont family for both.

Three consecutive losses left the Valmonts fuming.

"Dad, we have to win the next one," Celine insisted urgently.

Lucien sighed. "Your uncles are watching our spending. If we bid too high, they'll use it against us."

"But if we uncover premium jade, what can they say?" Celine argued confidently.

After a moment's hesitation, Lucien agreed.

Then, without warning, Celine's head throbbed violently, and the small wooden barrel at her waist trembled uncontrollably. Gritting her teeth, she muttered an incantation and tossed a black pill inside.

The familiar finally stilled, and her pain gradually subsided—but an inexplicable dread settled in her chest.

When the second batch of rough stones was unveiled, the crowd surged forward to inspect them.

Aria shook her head after a brief assessment and subtly signaled Damian, who relayed the best picks to Elias.

Meanwhile, Celine pressed her palm against a stone, waiting in vain for her familiar's guidance.

"Tell me which one has jade!" she mentally screamed.

All she received was a weak "hurts" before the connection went silent.

Panic set in.

When the five-minute window ended, Celine returned to her seat pale-faced.

"Which ones should we bid on?" Lucien asked.

She bit her lip. "This batch... isn't promising. Let the gemologist decide."

Lucien trusted her judgment—only to walk away nearly empty-handed. Elias, following Damian's tips, secured several high-quality stones.

Aria participated in five more auctions before withdrawing. She knew when to quit.

Celine, however, was spiraling.

No matter how she threatened or coaxed, her familiar refused to cooperate.

"Dad, I feel dizzy—" Her face drained of color before she collapsed.

Lucien shouted for help as attendants rushed her to the hospital.

Aria watched coldly.

Celine had no one to blame but herself.

Elsewhere, Serena Blake—relying on "borrowed" millions—bid on stones purely by instinct.

Aria attempted to disrupt her with miasma, only to find Serena's luck neutralizing it effortlessly.

Typical protagonist plot armor.

But it didn't matter. Once Serena's luck waned further...

Aria could be patient.

That day wouldn't be long.