Chapter 4
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So I didn’t think much of it. After returning home and eating dinner, I lay in bed, but an odd
sense of unease crept over me.
Just before falling asleep, I suddenly received a call.
“Hello, Ms. Vivian. We’re calling from the court regarding your illegal importation of dolls from abroad. You are suspected of a criminal offense. You must submit a deposit of ten million dollars immediately, or we will proceed with your arrest.”
It was clearly a scam. I was about to hang up, but something clicked in my mind—and I transferred ten million dollars to their account without hesitation.
Seconds later, I received another call, this time from the police. They urgently informed me I had fallen for a scam and asked if they could freeze my black card to prevent further losses.
I agreed immediately.
When I saw the notification confirming my bank card had been frozen, I laughed. I reached for the fake black card Hannah had swapped while I was gone and tossed it into the trash. Now, even if she got her hands on the card, she wouldn’t be able to spend a single cent.
The next day, I went to the auction. I spotted a piece I liked and raised my hand to bid.
Just as the item was about to be finalized in my favor, someone else raised their hand.
“I’ll light a sky lantern.”
I looked up and saw Eric and Hannah, surrounded by classmates. Eric was holding Hannah affectionately as he said:
“Hanhan, this piece of jewelry suits your temperament perfectly. Let me light the sky lantern for you.”
Hannah looked directly at me, eyes full of provocation, then turned to Eric and said sweetly,
“Eric, I heard Vivian likes this item too. If we win it, will she be angry?”
Eric glanced at my way.
“Vivian, if you kneel and apologize to us right now, I’ll let you come to the auction with us.”
I rolled my eyes.
“No need. I can afford it on my own.”
Some classmates turned to me with disdain.
“Vivian, after what you did to us yesterday, how dare you even show up here?”
I didn’t back down.
“Is this auction hosted by your family? Why shouldn’t I come?”
Soon, the next item was presented. I raised my hand to bid, and just before the third strike of the gavel, another classmate called out,
20.41 Tue, 6 JUI
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“I’ll light a sky lantern.”
Then he turned to Hannah.
“Hanhan, can I light one too?”
Hannah smiled graciously.
“Of course. Every student here can light a sky lantern today.”
With that, the others looked at me smugly.
“Vivian, unless you apologize to Hanhan, don’t even dream of winning another item today.”
I could barely keep from laughing. Clearly, they didn’t know this auction was run by my family. Every dollar they spent would line our pockets.
When the final item came up, I doubled the price–and watched as each of them lit their symbolic sky lanterns one after another.
By the tenth item, the auction organizer approached politely.
“Miss, since you’ve bid on so many items, payment is now required. The total comes to 120 million. Once it’s settled, you may continue bidding.”
Eric grew irritated.
“Can’t you wait until we’re done bidding to settle everything at once? You’re ruining the mood. Watch it–we might not return next time!”
The organizer apologized, but still brought out the card machine.
“Apologies, sir. It’s company policy. Please cooperate. As a courtesy, we can offer a complimentary Chanel handbag.”
Eric’s expression softened slightly. He turned to Hannah.
“Hanhan, pay up so we can keep bidding.”
Hannah confidently pulled out the black card and swiped it.
Ding. Payment failed.
