Chapter 630

Alexander stood apart from Cedric.

He sat on a mountain of wealth, over five billion to his name. Spending a couple million? That was just a piece of cake.

Daniela's eyebrows knitted together subtly, her expression barely changing.

The auctioneer, however, was elated.

"Thirty million on the table! Mr. Phillips is raising the stakes!"

He then turned to Alexander with a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. "Mr. Bennett, would you care to increase your offer?"

Alexander was noticeably annoyed.

It was merely a small bowl. Blowing a few millions for Daniela's sake was still within reason.

But more than ten millions for its acquisition? That seemed ludicrous.

Even with his deep pockets, reckless spending wasn't really his thing. Was Cedric losing his senses?

Alexander was notably shrewd about value for money.as a businessman, he lived by the pursuit of profit

He tightened his lips and cast a quick glance at Daniela, who appeared completely disinterested.

Alexander considered raising his bid one final time,ready to concede if outbid. After all, it was just a small bowl. If Daniela truly desired it,he could always arrange another purchase later.

Just an ordinary piece-nothing to get worked up over.

He could tell that Cedric was fiercely determined to claim victory.

Thus, he aimed to make the victory less straightforward for Cedric. With a deliberate edge to his actions, Alexander lifted his paddle high and declared a steep bid. "Forty million."

Eyes twinkling with mischief, Alexander watched Cedric intently, curious to see how he would respond.

Forty million for just a bowl? Outrageous!

Indeed, Cedric was poised to bid again. However, as the room's attention shifted towards him, a distinct "tsk" cut through the silence. Turning sharply. Cedric's eyes met Daniela's.

Her gaze was frosty, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

Yet, there was an undeniable message in her eyes that made Cedric slowly lower his paddle back down.

In a cold and detached tone, he declared, "I've changed my mind."

The auctioneer quickly took advantage of the moment. "Very well. Forty million once, forty million twice, and sold for forty million thrice!Congratulations to Mr. Bennett for acquiring this exquisite antique. Mr. Bennett, your patronage is greatly valued."

As the auctioneer showered him with thanks,Alexander felt a sharp sting of regret sinking in.

Forty million!

He had impulsively dropped forty million for this insignificant piece.

He was completely unhinged.

Alexander's knees quivered, yet he managed to uphold a facade that screamed, "I'm affluent; I believe it's worthwhile." Rising to his feet he no e'ed a rigid

Daniela.

Carol caught sight of this and erupted into laughte heartily slapping his thigh. "Idiot! What a damn fool!"

Hearing this, Alexander felt a pang of foolishness wash over him, flushing with embarrassment.

However, when he caught Daniela's subtle smile, he was caught off guard, momentarily spellbound.

Daniela radiated an enchanting beauty, her vibrant allure somewhat dimmed, now overshadowed by an aristocratic detachment that captivated all who looked her way.

As the auction concluded, Alexander directed his driver to gather the remaining items and personally handed the small bowl to Daniela.

From a distance, a figure lurked, snapping photographs.

Daniela's expression was frosty as she said, "It appears my earlier remarks fell on deaf ears, huh? Did you really think you could just hitch a ride on my success?"

Alexander scrambled to justify himself. "Not at all. I merely wanted to purchase a gift that would bring you joy. Was it not to your liking? I knew handing you money wouldn't sway you, so l opted to convey my Rising to his feet he no e'ed a rigid

Daniela.

Carol caught sight of this and erupted into laughte heartily slapping his thigh. "Idiot! What a damn fool!"

Hearing this, Alexander felt a pang of foolishness wash over him, flushing with embarrassment.

However, when he caught Daniela's subtle smile, he was caught off guard, momentarily spellbound.

Daniela radiated an enchanting beauty, her vibrant allure somewhat dimmed, now overshadowed by an aristocratic detachment that captivated all who looked her way.

As the auction concluded, Alexander directed his driver to gather the remaining items and personally handed the small bowl to Daniela.

From a distance, a figure lurked, snapping photographs.

Daniela's expression was frosty as she said, "It appears my earlier remarks fell on deaf ears, huh? Did you really think you could just hitch a ride on my success?"

Alexander scrambled to justify himself. "Not at all. I merely wanted to purchase a gift that would bring you joy. Was it not to your liking? I knew handing you money wouldn't sway you, so l opted to convey my sentiments through this gesture. Please, don't look upon it with disdain."

Daniela's gaze was piercing.

As Alexander handed over the staggering sum of forty million, his expression betrayed none of elation.

"Though this bowl may not hold such value, it seems perfect for you. I'm prepared to pay any price.Daniela,to me, our connection is beyond value."

Daniela arched an eyebrow, her gaze drifting to the small bowl placed before her. "Really? You're actually giving this to me?"

Without hesitation,Alexander confirmed."Absolutely!"

With a graceful motion, Daniela accepted the bowl and gestured to the figure who lingered at a distance.

The journalist approached.

"It's yours," Daniela declared, passing the small bowl to the journalist.

The journalist was clearly startled. "What?" A staggering forty million was tied to this one small bowl.

"Yes, it's yours," Daniela affirmed with a nod.

As Alexander opened his mouth to interject, Daniela preempted him, addressing the journalist. "No need for thanks. Direct your gratitude towards Mr. Bennett He was just pondering whether this bowl would suit you. I believe it complements your style impeccably.Isn't that right, Mr. Bennett?"

With clenched teeth, Alexander managed a strained smile."Yes."

Daniela's smile held a trace of scorn as she slipped into her car.

That day, the story of a man who spent forty million on a bowl only to hand it off to a journalist caught fire across social media.

It became the butt of countless jokes.

"Alexander truly made a fool of himself, didn't he?"

"Who could argue with that? He made quite the spectacle in his attempts to win Daniela back, yet it turned out to be a mess of his own creation."

"Daniela is still married, not yet divorced. Does 'Alexander have nosense of decency?"

"Precisely! It's absolutely disgraceful!"

"It's clear Daniela harbors no feelings for Alexander.Had she cared, she surely wouldn't have entrusted that bowl to another.Alexander must cease this futile pursuit; can't he perceive the annoyance etched on Daniela's face?"

"Hold on! I remember watching a video where Alexander was being downright haughty towards Cedric right at the entrance of the auction hall. Could Daniela be taking a stand for Cedric by her actions?"

"Is that so?"

Those controversial topics were scrubbed from the internet in under thirty minutes.

Yet, the following day, the stock price of Bennett Group plummeted.

A partnership, poised on the brink of success, was suddenly retracted.

Bennett Group's fortunes reversed in less than a day.

The business world once more observed the subtlety of Daniela's strategies.

With a simple maneuver, she reclaimed all the benefits Alexander had gained by riding on Daniela's Ccoattails.

Henceforth, everyone acknowledged an undeniable truth-at at Daniela's signal, fortunes could skyrocket to the heavens. However, if she frowned, a downfall could ensue by dawn.

Plagued with anxiety, Alexander found himself