“Nan, come on. Arthur values you so much, and he’s the one who arranged this private room for you. There’s no way he’d expect you to pay,” Linda remarked.

“That’s not how it works.”

Nancy turned to Ashley, speaking firmly. “Make sure to count all our expenses today, including the food and drinks. I’m not taking advantage of anyone.”

Ashley smiled but said nothing. Instead, she pointed downstairs. “The auction is starting. See if there’s anything you like, and I’ll bid for you.”

The first item was already on display: a simple box of rouge.

It wasn’t anything rare, but the auctioneer hyped it up as an ancient palace formula made with traditional methods and pure plant ingredients, giving off a fresh, natural fragrance.

The starting price was affordable—500 dollars, with a minimum bid increment of 50.

In a gathering of elite socialites, this was considered quite cheap.

However, the mention of “palace formula” piqued the curiosity of the women. After all, who doesn’t dream of being a princess?

“One thousand!”

“One thousand one!”

Bids were called out one after another, and the price quickly climbed to three thousand.

Three thousand for a box of rouge was steep.

Vivian grabbed Taylor’s hand excitedly. “I have to get this! I’ve heard it has a whitening effect. It’s really good. I’m going to bid!”

Taylor tried to stop her, but Vivian had already raised her paddle. “Four thousand!”

Instantly, all eyes turned toward her, with most people looking at her as if she was a fool.

Vivian, however, thought those were envious, jealous stares. She raised her chin proudly. This rouge was hers!

A full minute of silence passed, and just when everyone thought the rouge was going to Vivian for four thousand, a sweet voice floated down from the upper level.

“Six thousand!”

In an instant, all eyes turned upward, spotting Nancy smiling down at the crowd, with Linda munching on pastries and Emily stifling a laugh.

Vivian saw them too, and her teeth clenched in fury!

Nancy had done it on purpose. She was deliberately trying to steal the rouge from her!

Her competitive spirit flared up. Vivian raised her paddle again. “Seven thousand!”

Without a word from Nancy, Ashley calmly called out, “Ten thousand!”

Vivian’s eyes widened in shock.

Was Nancy trying to show off that she was richer, more noble?

Vivian raised her paddle again. “Eleven thousand!”

Ashley barely blinked before raising it further. “Fourteen thousand!”

Vivian was furious.

This was unforgivable! She couldn’t lose—especially not to Nancy!

“Vivian, don’t get too worked up…”

Taylor tried to calm her down, but Vivian had already raised her paddle, gritting her teeth as she shouted, “Fifteen thousand!”

She glared at Nancy, waiting to see if she would bid again, but Ashley stood still, simply smiling at her.

The auctioneer’s gavel fell, and the rouge was sold to Vivian for fifteen thousand.

Vivian looked triumphantly at Nancy, raising her chin in victory.

“You think you can compete with me, Nancy? You’re not even worthy!”

Taylor, sitting beside her, looked exasperated. “Yeah, the starting price was five hundred, and you drove it up to fifteen thousand. Brilliant…”