Juan also looked over.


    A red figure stood out in the crowd.


    Debra, d in a burgundy dress, seemed to captivate hearts with every gesture. Cameras shed at her like she was a reigning superstar walking the red carpet. ''Debra?''


    Juan took a moment to recognize her.


    In the past, Debra preferred light makeup and in dresses. This was the first time Juan had seen her like this.


    Seeing Debra for the first time, Shelia was filled with jealousy.


    Compared to the alluring Debra, she seemed too in.


    "Debra looks stunning."


    Shelia''s tone carried a subtle envy.


    Debra spotted them and walked over.


    Shelia thought Debra, unaware of her rtionship with Juan, would be surprised or awkward, but Debra was poised and smiling.


    "Mrs. Nichols is here. Who''s thedy beside Mr. Nichols?" whispered a reporter.


    Debra approached, linking her arm with Juan''s, and extended a hand towards Shelia. "You must be Shelia mentioned by Juan. Nice to meet you! I''m Debra. You can call me Mrs. Nichols." Shelia withdrew her hand from Juan''s and shook hands with Debra.


    "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Nichols," Shelia said awkwardly.


    "Juan told me that he sponsored you. You''re going to study abroad, right?" Debra said.


    Shelia nced at Juan.


    "Shelia excels in her studies. She''s nning to go abroad this year, but she''s a bit timid, so I brought her here today to broaden her horizons," Juan said.


    He had brought Shelia here to see the world of the upper ss.


    Juan hadn''tpletely fallen for Shelia yet. It was only after Shelia returned from abroad that Juan fell in love with her.


    Even so, Juan attended all kinds of events with Shelia, to the point where everyone in Seamar City knew that Juan liked a college girl.


    But none of this mattered to Debra anymore.


    She came to the auction not topete with Shelia but for a more important purpose.


    "Well then, take good care of Miss Miles. I''m going in," Debra said, letting go of Juan''s arm.


    Juan was stunned.


    He hadn''t expected these words toe from Debra''s mouth.


    By the time he realized it, Debra had already entered the venue.


    Juan frowned. ''When did the unruly Debra be so agreeable?''


    Debra sat in an inconspicuous corner. The auction venue was filled with influential figures.


    If she remembered correctly, an abandoned piece ofnd that nobody wanted was bought by an obscure merchant at this auction. Later, because of the upscale developments around it, thend became valuable.


    The sessful investment elevated the merchant''s status, making him amercial magnate.


    Since she had decided to leave Juan, Debra wanted to build up her own assets.


    After sitting down, Juan searched for Debra''s figure. Beside him, Shelia asked, "Mr. Nichols, do you really want me to bid on your behalf?"


    Juan''s attention returned, and he said, "Yes, I trust your judgment."


    Shelia blushed.


    She had studied finance for so long at school, just for this day.


    On the second floor, Debra watched them chat happily.


    Shelia indeed had some talent, which was one of the reasons why Juan would be attracted to her.


    In herst life, Shelia had once identified a prime piece ofnd, which impressed Juan.


    But that piece ofnd was valuable, to begin with. The Nichols Group''s properties were around it, and Shelia inted the price with Juan''s money. In the end, the value of thend and the surrounding properties all increased, so Juan couldn''t lose. Even without Shelia, Juan would have secured that piece ofnd.


    As the auction started, Shelia began to bid.


    She sessfully won the first three prime pieces ofnd.


    Juan sat beside Shelia like a guardian.


    "The price of Crescent Manor starts at one billion dors."


    "Two billion."


    Debra''s bidding caused a collective gasp.


    Juan frowned. What''s gotten into this woman?


    Shelia whispered, "This piece ofnd isn''t worth much. Debra''s going to lose money."


    Juan texted Debra. [What the hell are you doing?]


    Debra read the message and ignored it.


    "Two billion once!"


    "Two billion twice!"


    ...


    "Is Debra crazy? Two billion for this piece of junk?"


    On the second floor, Randy was bbergasted.


    "Three billion," Marion bid.


    Randy nearly flipped the table. "Marion! Are you insane too?"


    Across from them, Debra frowned. She wanted to know who was crazy enough topete with her for this wastnd, only to see Marion.


    She vaguely remembered Marion was doing gray business. ''When did he start real estate development?''


    "Four billion!" Debra raised the stakes.


    Downstairs, Juan furrowed his brow and texted her again. [Debra, shut up!]


    Debra simply turned off her phone.


    "Five billion," Marion said.


    His provocation annoyed Debra. ''Alright, you want to y? Let''s y.''Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Ten billion!" she bid.


    "Damn! She''s gone mad!" Randy eximed.


    Juan stood up, losing hisposure. He couldn''t quite grasp Debra''s intentions.


    To him, this piece ofnd wasn''t even worth one billion dors.


    Yet Debra was offering ten billion.


    Marion smiled at Debra and made a gesture of concession.


    "Ten billion!" The auctioneer eximed, "Any further bids? Ten billion, going once, going twice. Sold!"


    As the gavel fell, a weight lifted off Debra''s heart.


    Thend was finally hers, but she had unnecessarily spent an extra eight billion dors.


    It was all because of Marion.


    She red at him.


    Randy nudged Marion, "Hey, Debra''s ring at you. If I were her, I''d probably be plotting your demise."


    Marion shrugged indifferently.


    Downstairs, Shelia tugged at Juan. "Mr. Nichols, Debra is going to make you bankrupt."


    "She set her own price. No one will help her pay the bills," Juan said.