Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 602

Chapter 602

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From the way things were going, two million was clearly not going to be enough. Even three million might not cut it.

This was, without a doubt, the most expensive painting Sharon had ever sold-originally fetching only about 20 thousand.

She never imagined it could be driven up to such a staggering figure.

A trace of hesitation flickered across her face. If it had been any other painting, she would have let it go-no way would she spend such an outrageous sum to buy back her own work.

But this one was different. The figure in the painting was het.

The thought of her likeness hanging in someone else’s home, scrutinized and displayed, left her feeling strangely unsettled. Which was why she wanted to bring it back into her own hands.

Gritting her teeth, Sharon said, “I’ll raise it to five million.”

Five million was no small sum. Many celebrated antique paintings barely reached that price.

John spoke up. “Bid as much as you need. I still have some savings. Coming up with another five million won’t be a problem.”

Though he had yet to return to the Westin family, John’s career had thrived in recent years, and he had earned himself a considerable fortune.

Still, splitting off from his company, building his own studio and team, and hosting concerts had drained a good portion of his wealth. Now, he had just over five million left in liquid savings

Wendy quickly calculated. “If the two of you pool your funds, that’s ten million. It’s more than enough.”

Sharon shook her head. “As much as I want this painting, spending ten million on it is far too excessive. Forget it.”

But John countered, “It’s your own portrait. Letting it fall into someone else’s hands doesn’t sit right. If ten million can secure it, it’s worth it.”

“Let’s see how it goes,” Sharon replied.

While they were speaking, the bidding had already climbed to three million.

At that point, it seemed to hit a threshold. The number of active bidders dropped sharply.

Relief loosened the knot in Sharon’s chest. She believed that within five million, they could probably take it without trouble.

Others might want their work to fetch the highest price possible. She, on the other hand, wished her painting would sell for less.

She glanced at Wendy, who gave a slight nod before raising her paddle. “3.5 million.”

It was an aggressive jump of 500 thousand, enough to crush any lingering competitive spirit in the room.

Sure enough, after her bid, hardly anyone else spoke up.

Wendy leaned toward Sharon with a whisper. “Sharon, this painting is about to return to its rightful owner.”

Sharon allowed herself a small smile. “At this price, it’s already high enough. I doubt anyone will go further.”

For her, painting had always been a way to cultivate the mind and unwind. After marriage, she had stopped altogether, and she knew little about the art market. Never in her life had she imagined her work could fetch such an astronomical figure.

Sering no more movement, the auctioneer began the final call.

“3.5 million. Any further bids? 3.5 million going once… 3.5 million going twice-”

Chapter 602

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Suddenly, a low, magnetic male voice cut through the quiet auction hall. “Four million.”

All eyes turned toward the source. Cole had raised the bid.

John’s gaze frosted over instantly. He lifted his paddle. “Five million.”

Cole glanced in his direction, then raised his paddle without hesitation. “Six million.”

“Seven million,” John shot back.

“Eight million,” Cole countered.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

The minimum increment for each bid was ten thousand, yet these two were leaping by a million at a time. While the painting certainly had beauty and potential for appreciation, it was no ancient cultural relic.

Chapter 603

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