He Outbid Me, I Ruined His Plan

Chapter 2

When that number landed, the crowd of rubberneckers below froze for a beat. Everyone had fully expected me to bid five million and five hundred thousand this time just to keep getting under Henry's skin.

But shockingly, I hadn't tossed out that price at all!

"What's the big idea? Did you finally dig up who Mr. Walton is and get cold feet?"

Some guy cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled up at the floor where I was standing.

"If you're scared, come down here and fawn to Mr. Walton! Once we've had our fill of the show, we might even put in a good word for you!"

As raucous laughter erupted through the crowd, a few people picked up that something was off.

"That doesn't add up to me. If she's scared, why did she keep raising the bid in the first place? Does she want to pick a fight or not?"

The crowd bickered back and forth, guessing wildly until the auctioneer's voice cut through the noise.

"Three minutes left in this round of bidding! We invite the distinguished guest in Sky Box 8 to place your bid!"

Sky Box 8 was exactly where Henry was holed up.

As soon as those words left the auctioneer's mouth, the crowd finally caught on to the real problem.

Henry, the sky lantern bidder who was supposed to match every competing offer, hadn't placed a single bid this entire round.

Earlier, even though those random bidders driving up the price had put him in a foul mood, he'd still slammed down bids fast and sharp.

So why was he dragging his feet this time?

Someone in the crowd mumbled under their breath, barely loud enough to hear.

"He can't be out of cash, right?"

The words were barely out of their mouth before someone scoffed.

"Quit spouting nonsense! The loose change that falls through the cracks of the Walton family's fingers is enough to feed three generations of your worthless family!"

"Hell yeah! Mr. Walton's probably too busy messing around with his little mistress to remember the auction even exists!"

A wave of sleazy, knowing snickers rippled through the crowd.

I stood upstairs, watching the whole circus play out, my fingertips tapping idly against the railing.

Everyone thought Henry was off canoodling with his side piece and too distracted to care about the bid. But right now, his eyes were icy cold, the air around him thick with the quiet rumble of an incoming storm.

As for Shane, who's always sucking up and playing cute? She was hunched over so small she looked like she was trying to disappear, too scared to even breathe too loud.

The soft, lovey-dovey vibe that had filled the box just minutes ago? Gone. Poof. Not a single trace left.

I stayed cool as a cucumber, waiting to see what move he'd make next.

The auctioneer wiped a bead of cold sweat off his forehead and started the final countdown.

"10... 3, 2..."

Right as the last second ticked by, the female assistant's voice from Box 8 finally rang out through the hall.

"Five million and nine hundred thousand..."

Her voice sounded like someone was squeezing her throat. She choked out the number, shaking so badly she could barely get the words out, and then went dead silent.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth, staring down at the stack of documents my special assistant had just sent over.

For all these years, I'd been swamped building up our business overseas, and I never would've guessed Henry had been keeping a mistress behind my back, one everyone in our social circle knew about, no less.

No wonder those few spoiled heiresses who've always had it out for me were so quick to hit "like" every time I posted about our happy marriage. They were just here for the front-row seat to my humiliation!

The screen of my phone clicked softly as I swiped down. I scrolled further down the documents, and my rage spiked even harder.

The custom gown he'd given me last time? It was actually secondhand, Shane had worn it first!

I'd thought it was weird back then that it fit a little too tight. Henry had even faked that soft, concerned look and told me I'd put on a little weight.

Turns out that "concern" wasn't care at all, it was guilt, plain and simple!

White-hot rage roiled in my chest. I forwarded the entire file to my lawyer immediately.

"Draw up the divorce papers and have them ready in an hour!"

Next, I got in line with the company's board of directors and the finance department.

Henry had gotten way too comfortable living the high life. He'd completely forgotten who gave him all that wealth and status in the first place!

Once I had all my moves locked in, I lifted my bidding paddle casually.

"Eight million!"

The crowd below had long grown numb to seven-figure bids, but when they heard that exact number, they couldn't help but glance up at Box 8.

Was he going to counter with 8.5 million this time?

Henry pressed his thin lips into a tight, hard line, his chest rising and falling sharply once.

Everyone else in the box held their breath, too scared to make a sound.

No one dared ask him if he wanted to keep bidding, not right then.