As soon as the three entered the venue, they attracted numerous stares.
The reason was simple: Aria’s outfit in red and white was simply too eye-catching.
Although the charity auction had turned into a sort of matchmaking event, it was still under the guise of charity. Aria’s flashy attire for a charitable event seemed oblivious to worldly hardships. What she didn’t know was that Mrs. Hannah from the Turner family was a werewolf of the shadow clan, particularly averse to animal skins.
Unaware of the attention she drew, Aria flaunted her dress’s vivid colors in front of everyone’s gaze.
Isabella could only accompany her by her side. As they arrived, several familiar girls approached.
As per the protocol, these young girls had to greet the attending elders before they could freely mingle.
Mrs. Hannah held the highest seniority and status among them. Whether known or unknown, everyone had to pay her respects.
Mrs. Hannah maintained an aloof demeanor towards everyone. However, her gaze lingered a while longer on Aria, her emotions murky and indecipherable.
Subsequently, Isabella and her friends sat down to chat. Aria tagged along but couldn’t interject. After all, she had grown up in another town and had virtually no connections with these high society young ladies.
Feeling bored sitting there, Aria eventually got up and headed to the restroom.
Upon entering a stall, she heard the clear click-clack of high heels outside. Two young women entered, touching up their makeup while gossiping.
“Who’s the parvenu wearing fur? She’s quite amusing, doesn’t she know about Mrs. Hannah’s aversion?” one of them said.
“Parvenu? You’re overestimating her. I just found out she’s from the poor relatives of the Harris family.”
“No wonder she’s so clueless, turns out she’s from a lowly background. Yet she dares to be so ostentatious.”
Their laughter gradually faded away, finally disappearing.
The restroom stall door slowly pushed open from the inside, and Aria’s expression was extremely unpleasant.
Out of frustration, she ripped off the fur stole from her shoulders and forcefully tossed it on the ground. After vehemently stomping on it a few times with her high heels, she walked out of the restroom with reddened eyes.
She knew by now she had likely become the subject of everyone’s ridicule.
“Aria, why were you gone for so long? The auction is about to start,” Isabella said as she saw her return and hurriedly grabbed her. “Huh? Where’s your stole?”
Isabella noticed her bare shoulders and asked in surprise.
Aria’s gaze hardened as she looked at Emily beside her, only retracting after a moment, replying icily, “I threw it away.”
Threw it away? Isabella suddenly felt a headache coming on.
In the midst of the bustling auction, she figured Aria had probably heard about Mrs. Hannah’s aversion to fur, so in a fit of anger, she threw away the fur stole.
She felt Aria was just too stubborn and thoughtless. While wearing the fur was already ostentatious, there was no need to discard it. Wearing fur was still better than the current low-cut dress she had on, which was unsuitable for such a public occasion.
Isabella borrowed a silk stole from a friend intending to have Aria drape it over her shoulders for some cover.
However, Aria was not appreciative. The mere thought of the so-called socialites’ mockery and disdain toward her ignited her anger.
“I don’t need it.” She angrily threw the silk shawl on the ground.
Isabella: “…”
Well, she had once again pried into things unnecessarily.
Afterward, they formally entered the auction phase and took their designated seats.
Various types of jewelry were showcased on stage, each item being auctioned one by one.
Emily donated a diamond bracelet, starting at 70, 000. She bought it back for 100, 000.
Isabella didn’t want to stand out. She donated an inconspicuous jade ring, valued at around 50, 000, which Lucy quickly bid for and won.
Next was Aria’s gold-inlaid jade bracelet. Starting price: 50, 000.
Eagerly, Aria lifted her number first. “50, 000.”
“55, 000.”
“60, 000.” Soon, more bids followed, escalating to 75, 000, then no one else raised a bid.
Everyone present had good taste; the market value of the bracelet was around 60, 000, and no one was foolish enough to offer an outrageous price.
“80, 000.” Aria raised her number.
Then, a brief silence followed. The auctioneer was about to hammer down when suddenly, someone raised their number again.
“100, 000.” The bidder was a young girl who didn’t seem prominent, but seated beside her was Mrs. Hannah.
All eyes turned toward her. Mrs. Hannah remained expressionless, chatting casually with those around her.
Aria’s hand trembled uncontrollably; 100, 000 was her grandmother’s bottom line. Any amount above that, she’d have to dig into her own pocket. Aria felt a pang of pain but didn’t want to lose face. After an internal struggle, she lifted her number again.
“110, 000.”
“150, 000.” As soon as Aria bid, the opposing party quickly followed.
Sure enough, from the Turner family, they had deep pockets.
This time, not only her arm trembled, but her body shook slightly. She hesitantly raised her number, bidding 160, 000.
However, immediately after, the opponent casually gestured, “200, 000.”
Isabella couldn’t help but furrow her brow and gave a brief glance in Mrs. Hannah’s direction. This octogenarian was robust and dignified.
While Aria’s behavior wearing fur at the auction was somewhat impolite, as a respected elder, engaging in a financial rivalry with a junior was equally inappropriate.
As Aria was about to raise her number again, Isabella held her arm.
“Be rational,” Isabella whispered.
Aria seemed to have lost her mind, competing financially with the Turner family conglomerate.