After obtaining the necklace, Tessa began playing a small game on her phone while keeping an eye on Vance.

Just then, the auctioneer said,

"The next item is recommended by Veronica Art Gallery. It's Miss Ashley Wexler's painting 'Daughter of the Gods'."

The guests burst into an uproar.

They began whispering and craning their necks to look at Ashley.

Ashley sat up straight and held her head high, showing a smile that she thought was the most charming.

The "recommendation" was just like a dazzling crown drawing all attention to her.

Michael had his head deeply lowered as he was slashed by Vance's sharp glare. If possible, he might have hidden under the chair.

"We start at 5 million yuan."

Samuel snorted.

Someone must have raised the starting price for a private purpose.

Tessa concentrated on her game and didn't care about what was going on at all.

Ashley couldn't repress her excitement anymore. She stood up and said in a sweet voice,

"I'll donate all the money for this painting to charity. Thank you all for your support. Thank you, Mr. Vance King."

Then, she had a passionate look at Vance.

The hall fell into silence. Nearly all the gazes were focused on her and Vance.

If Vance responded, it would confirm Ashley's words. If he didn't, the crowd would also take it as a silent admission.

This was the effect Ashley wanted.

Under the gazes, Vance stood up.

Ashley's heart pounded wildly as it was full of expectation.

"I'm going out for some fresh air. Call me when Master Brain's painting is auctioned."

Vance spoke, but it was to his assistant.

His voice was not loud, but his tone was absolutely cold.

Then, he strode out right away without a glance at Ashley.

Michael rose immediately with an awkward, polite smile.

"Miss Wexler, you misunderstood. Mr. Vance King is not in charge of this gallery. The invitation and recommendation have nothing to do with him."

The crowd roared with laughter.

The women who wore the thickest makeup laughed the most loudly.

"Oh, who does she think she is?"

"She said Vance King wrote an invitation letter to her in person. How ridiculous!"

"He didn't even look at her or know who she is."

Ashley slumped on her seat, with paleness that couldn't even be covered by her gorgeous makeup.

Louise and David also lowered their heads and held their breaths.

Naturally, Ashley's painting was unsold.

Tessa had been killing her enemies intently in the game, and only until Master Brain's painting was put onto the stage did she put down her phone for a moment.

The auctioneer said, "What you see now is tonight's last but most important item, an ink and wash painting by Master Brain: Rain on a Lonely Mountain. The work shows the profound skills of this legendary painter..."

After the introduction, he had a meaningful smile.

"We start at 100 thousand yuan."

A silence descended upon the whole hall. Then, the crowd burst out laughing again.

The starting price for Ashley's painting was five million yuan, while that for Master Brain's was only 100 thousand yuan.

The sarcasm in it was self-evident.

Samuel looked at Tessa with a grin.

It must be her who did this. Anyone who provoked her would be punished severely.

But Tessa didn't even look up. She was carefully manipulating her character to jump onto the roof on the phone screen.