"Sixty million." Once more, Arthur raised his hand and called out a higher bid. Anthony glared at Arthur, barely concealing his irritation. Arthur had just pushed the price to 60 million. As president of Myers Group, money wasn't an issue, but this amount far exceeded the item's actual worth. People couldn't help wondering what had gotten into him, spending so recklessly. "Arthur, what are you doing? Stop bidding now. Mr. Ruiz clearly wants this jade—just let him have it." Madilyn tried to diffuse the growing tension in the room. But Arthur didn't even listen to her. His eyes remained fixed on the jade displayed on stage, as if completely mesmerized by its allure. "Arthur, don't be so impulsive." Jennifer gently shook his arm. She'd been holding onto Arthur's arm, trying to restrain him, but each time he placed a bid, it happened so suddenly she couldn't stop him in time. Jennifer bit her lip and glanced helplessly at Madilyn, shaking her head. Madilyn shot Jennifer a sharp look, her face a mask of barely contained anger. Sixty million for a piece of stone? Arthur must have lost his mind today. And it was all because Chloe had appeared—Arthur only started acting this way after her arrival. Madilyn glanced toward Chloe. The woman simply sat there silently, letting three men compete over her and drive the price to astronomical heights. No matter how fine the jade might be, it remained just a stone. Twenty million would have been outrageous enough. Now the price had reached 60 million. All the guests there were just watching the drama and loving every minute of it—everyone was waiting to see who was dumb enough to fork over the cash for that stone. All this just to impress a beautiful woman? Spending a fortune for a single smile? It was certainly a story worth spreading. Madilyn seethed internally. Let Anthony and Landon fight it out. Why did Arthur have to get involved? Arthur and Chloe were divorced; their family was finally free from that country girl. She should have been overjoyed. When Joseph asked Arthur about his relationship with Chloe earlier, she'd been satisfied with Chloe's response—just an ex, nothing more. Just another pretty woman Arthur had already moved past. If Chloe had admitted to being his ex-wife, things would have become much more complicated. Now Arthur seemed to be inviting gossip? How utterly clueless. "Don't bid again, do you hear me?" Madilyn hissed, her voice low and furious. "Sixty-two million." Anthony raised his hand and placed another bid. As attention shifted to him, he couldn't resist taunting, "The greater the challenge, the more it proves my exceptional taste. Ms. Lewis is worth every bit of it, isn't she?" The crowd couldn't help but marvel at Chloe's appeal. Her employer was bidding to gift her the piece, the Ruiz heir was spending extravagantly just to earn her smile, and now the Myers Group's president had joined the competition. The situation was escalating dramatically. Who knew how high the price might go? "Mr. Myers, the real excitement is just beginning. Why the hurry to stop?" Anthony leaned back on the sofa, his eyes locked on Arthur, practically daring him to continue bidding. "If this continues, the item will be withdrawn," Selina whispered, tugging at Landon's sleeve. Landon frowned. The price had already become absurd. If this persisted, even the manor's rules would be compromised. He needed to find a way to end this bidding war. Landon glanced toward Eugene. Seeing the escalating drama, Joseph cleared his throat. "I never expected this jade to cause such a commotion. It seems we'll have to terminate the bidding..." He raised his hand, signaling to the auction host. Understanding the message, the host looked startled. Was Joseph really going to withdraw the item? It was an unwritten rule at the manor: once an item was withdrawn at the manor, it would never be auctioned again. Chloe's expression darkened. If Anthony won the jade, she could still find a way to retrieve it later. Even if Arthur won, she had tricks up her sleeve to get it back. But if the manor withdrew it? She might never lay eyes on that jade again. Once an auction item was withdrawn, it essentially disappeared forever. "Sixty-four million!" Arthur called out again, this time rising to his feet. Seeing this, the host immediately announced, "Sixty-four million, going once...""Arthur, that's enough!" Madilyn stood up, disregarding all propriety, reached past Jennifer, and forcibly pulled Arthur back down. "Sit down right now." Madilyn dragged Arthur back into his seat and smiled apologetically at the host. "Please excuse his reckless behavior. Since Mr. Ruiz likes the jade so much, we'll let him have it."