FULL NOVELXO Chapter 296-300
296 Chapter 296: Why Can’t My Wife Come?
At this time, Mrs. Woods whispers in reminder: “We previously offended Xavier Hamer, who does hold considerable influence domestically and that could affect the Woods family’s business, so we must gain his forgiveness.”
“I’ve heard that he has wanted this violin for a long time. Once we win it at the auction, we will give it
to Xavier as an apology.”
Zara Woods nods: “What if someone else tries to outbid me?”
“There shouldn’t be any, only Xavier knows the news about this violin, others should have no idea.”
Mrs. Woods chuckles: “Anyway, Xavier has temporarily left because of an urgent matter, he won’t be able to attend it, this gives us a chance to win the violin and present it to him. If he truly wants it, he’d surely forgive us.”
Zara: “Mom, don’t worry, I will definitely win it.”
Xaviera Evans smirks subtly, and leaves unnoticed.
Ever since Xavier Hamer threw the Woods family out of the art exhibition, there have been rumors in the upper class that the elders of the Woods family committed something disgraceful.
Since it all started with Xavier, naturally they need to start with Xavier to fix it.
As such, the Woods family targeted Hamer, knowing his desires for the violin, hence, they specifically attended the auction to win the violin in hopes to seek Xavier’s forgiveness.
However…
The reason Xavier wanted the violin in the first place was to give it to her!
Xaviera gleefully smiles. If Zara comes to know that I’m the one who wants the violin, what would her reaction be?
She returns to Caleb Mamet’s side, looking at the violin in the auction catalog with interest.
Caleb looks up: “You like this?”
Xaviera responds: “Hmm.”
Caleb: “I’ll bid on it and get it for you.”
Xaviera smiles thoughtfully: “There’s no rush, you don’t have to spend your money, someone will naturally buy it and gift it to me.”
Caleb raises his eyebrows, “Xavier?”
“Although Xavier did say he’d give me the violin, the person paying won’t be him.”
Xaviera chuckles: “This violin will eventually be mine anyway, why should I bother? Let’s just look at other things.”
Seeing her confidence, Caleb didn’t ask any
further.
After a while, Xaviera asked out of curiosity: “Caleb, all these wealthy families gather here for the
auction, is it just to seek a good reputation? Is spending so much money for the sake of reputation worthwhile?”
He gently replies: “These people already aren’t short on money, so they care greatly about their reputation. Once someone starts donating, many will follow suit. That’s how charity auctions. accumulate bit by bit.”
Xaviera realizes that all they do is for show, with a few who genuinely do charity.
Everyone gathers here today to showcase their families‘ power, there are bound to be some interesting things happening.
Xaviera fl*ps through the auction catalogue, “This n*ecklace features a 10–carat diamond, it looks nice. Even this calligraphy by Mr. Bank is up for auction? There’s so much…”
Before she could finish her words, she heard a woman’s scornful voice.
“I advise you not to bother looking, you cannot afford any of it anyway!”
Xaviera looks up and sees two women slowly approaching.
Suki Woods is looking at her scornfully, while Zara stands nearby, expressionless.
“What kind of place is this, any person is allowed in here? If you have no money to buy anything, why bother coming? Ridiculous!”
Xaviera is speechless.
Does she look so poor?
Caleb slowly raises his eyes, coldly: “If the Woods family is qualified to attend, why can’t my wife?”
Suki is taken aback by Caleb’s cold gaze.
She had thought that Caleb didn’t like Xaviera, so he wouldn’t stick up for her. After all, it was widely known among the upper class that he only impulsively married Xaviera and did not truly like her.
Zara then intervenes to stop Suki, and gently speaks: “Caleb, don’t get angry. Suki is young and naïve, and speaks a bit bluntly. She must have forgotten that Xaviera has become your wife.”
“Also, today’s auction is very important; all the big shots from Libanan are here. She is just afraid that Xaviera will act rashly, offending some noble gentleman or lady, which could become troublesome.”
“Zara Woods, let me remind you.” Caleb replies, his gaze not lifting, his face showing signs of impatience.
297 Chapter 297: Miss Woods Doesn’t Understand Human
Language?
Zara Woods’s face changed: “Caleb, I…
”
“I’ve told you, only close friends can call me Caleb, and you don’t qualify!” Caleb Mamet didn’t spare her feelings.
Zara Woods’s face turned pale, she looked at Xaviera Evans with a wronged expression.
“I, Caleb, am your friend.”
“Is it because Xaviera doesn’t like me calling you that way? But for so many years, I…” Zara choked on her words, “Caleb…”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Xaviera sneered: “Miss Woods, Caleb has already told you not to call him that, can’t you understand?”
Caleb wouldn’t even let her call him “Caleb,” yet she still did, and Zara was still playing the victim, so annoying!
Xaviera laughed coldly: “The name ‘Caleb‘ can only be used by his grandmother and me. Do you think you deserve it?”
There was silence all around, and Zara Woods bit her l*p tightly.
She hung her head low, almost in tears, her voice trembling, “Xaviera, I… I really didn’t do it on purpose. I’ve been calling him that since forever, it’s just a habit.”
“Xaviera! Aren’t you being too much? It’s just a nickname, Zara has been calling him that for so many years, do you really have to be so harsh?”
Not far away, Jake Lindsey came running up in a fit of anger.
He said angrily, “Caleb, you and Zara have been friends since childhood, what’s wrong with using a more intimate name? Moreover…”
“I’ve warned Miss Woods before, she even promised not to call me that again. Furthermore, we are not close, having an intimate name would lead to misunderstandings.”
Caleb waved his hand, indicating to Steve Price, “If Miss Woods still can’t remember, you should
remind her.”
“Yes!” Steve Price responded without hesitation.
Zara Woods forced a smile with the corner of her mouth.
“Zara, let’s go! Why should we put up with their attitude?”
Jake Lindsey said angrily before leaving with Zara, “Xaviera! Just you wait, I won’t bother with you tonight in such an important occasion!”
Zara muttered quietly, “Xaviera, we’re leaving. If you like anything, let me know and I’ll get it for you as an apology.”
After saying that, Jake led Zara away angrily.
Xaviera rolled her eyes, what a st* pid couple!
Zara Woods was not really as kind as she pretended to be, but Xaviera took her words seriously, especially since some of the jewelry that was being auctioned looked quite nice.
Since Zara said it, Xaviera would reluctantly accept it!
As soon as Zara Woods and Jake Lindsey took their seats, Jake was indignant: “Zara, you shouldn’t have been so gentle with her, or she’ll always bully you! What qualifications does she have to attend the auction? Does she have money?”
Everyone looked over; even though the Woods family had offended Xavier Hamer, they were still upper–class people. Who were they mocking so loudly and arrogantly?
Who would dare to bully Miss Woods? Had they gone crazy?!
Zara sighed, “Jake, sometimes it’s better to have less trouble.”
“This is a charity auction, right? What is she doing here without any money? What a waste! Why won’t she just leave?”
Zara tried to defend Xaviera, “Xaviera does have money, the jewelry she’s wearing is quite valuable. She’s definitely not short on money…”
”
“She spent all her money on luxury items and has none left to donate to the mountainous areas! Zara! Don’t speak up for her any more!”
Jake said loudly and proudly: “She has money but doesn’t donate! She is just a greedy and selfish
b*tch!”
Such a statement completely ruined Xaviera Evans’s image.
People all around looked at her with disdain; since they had all attended the charity gala, even if it was just a show, they should at least donate something to help children who were struggling with diseases. That could count as a good deed.
If they didn’t want to donate anything, why come to a charity event?
Zara Woods saw the people around her starting to gossip and couldn’t help revealing a triumphant smile, “Jake, Xaviera isn’t like that, she must have her difficulties.”
“She has her struggles, maybe she just doesn’t want to say so. Xaviera grew up in the countryside when she was younger, and it’s understandable that she doesn’t want to donate.”
298 Chapter 298: The Difference between Clouds and Mud
Jake Lindsey sneered with disdain: “Xaviera Evans really can’t show her face in public. She hides all her savings, and doesn’t learn from you who run around for charity events.”
Zara Woods chuckled confidently.
A moment later, the auction officially began.
The first item up for auction was a painting, but not by a famous artist, so no one raised their bid.
cards.
Even if donating, they wanted to buy useful things and not just spend money at random.
Then, a sweet feminine voice spoke up, “200,000 dollars.”
Everyone frowned at this since they didn’t even like the painting; they thought it was a waste of 200,000 dollars.
“Miss Woods really knows the big picture, and she’s the only one who would spend money on this
painting”
“Even though 200,000 dollars is just a drop in the bucket for the Woods family, it’s still a waste. Compared to Miss Woods, some people are simply unbearable! How dare they show up here!”
Everyone glanced at Xaviera Evans, murmuring, “Mr. Lindsey was right. Even if she doesn’t have money, she should at least be able to afford 200,000 dollars. If she doesn’t bid on this cheap item, there’s no way she’ll be bidding on the others.”
Caleb Mamet’s face turned cold.
The auctioneer struck the gavel, and Zara Woods was the final bidder on the first item, with no one else challenging her.
Applause thundered through the venue, and everyone praised her for being beautiful and virtuous.
Immediately after, the second item was a jade n*ecklace personally carved by Mr. Price, with a starting bid of 2,000,000 dollars.
Xaviera Evans suddenly took interest.
Irene recently started to like Hanfu and wanted a beautiful jade n*ecklace. Xaviera knew the quality of this n*ecklace was good, and Irene would love it.
The bidders raised their cards one after another for this item.
In no time the 2,000,000–dollar n*ecklace soared to 3,500,000 dollars.
Ultimately, Zara Woods and another woman competed for the n*ecklace, raising the price until Zara’s final bid reached 5 million dollars. Then, the woman backed down.
The crowd gasped.
Although valuable, the n*ecklace wasn’t worth 5 million dollars. Miss Woods casually threw out 5 million dollars – was she not interested in the other items?
Suki Woods proudly spoke, “My sister is kind–hearted. When it comes to charity, she doesn’t care
about spending a small amount of money. Look at some people here, their thick–faced approach is
unbearable!”
The crowd whispered. Although Xaviera Evans was not as rich as Zara Woods, she should at least be able to afford something if she came to the auction.
Suki Woods mocked, “This is a charity auction for children from poor families who need medical treatment. If some people don’t have the ability or love, they should get lost and not sit here. pretending to be wealthy! How disgusting!”
As the words fell, the venue fell silent.
Shortly after, everyone began to speculate.
“Miss Woods just spent 5 million dollars without blinking, and I hear she’s got her eyes on some other items too. She’s probably going to donate tens of millions dollars tonight.”
“I’ve also heard that Mr. Caleb Mamet’s female companion used to be Miss Woods at these events, but somehow, it became Xaviera Evans. Who knows what tricks she played?”
“Miss Woods is so beautiful and well–bred, how can Xaviera Evans compare to her? Does Mr. Mamet really like Xaviera?”
Everyone nodded, feeling that Xaviera would definitely lose face tonight.
If Zara Woods became the highest donor of the night, the foundation would be named after her, which would be a great honor.
Xaviera Evans was nothing more than a plaything for Caleb Mamet, while Zara Woods was the true woman who deserved him – they were worlds apart.
The auctioneer struck the gavel, “Five million dollars for the first time!”
“Five million dollars for the second time…”
Zara Woods listened to the praise around her, brimming with confidence. She would completely crush Xaviera Evans and become the most suitable woman for Caleb Mamet.
At the last moment, just before the gavel was about to fall, Xaviera Evans leisurely raised her card, “8 million dollars!”
8 million dollars?
Zara Woods‘ face changed and her smile disappeared.
Everyone stared, dumbfounded and shocked.
Normal bid increments were 100,000 or 1 million dollars. They had never seen someone jump straight to 8 million dollars like this. Even the auctioneer was stunned onstage.
299 Chapter 299: The Highest Bidder Wins the Auction
At this moment, Xaviera Evans asked, “Is eight million not enough?” ()
The auctioneer hurriedly nodded, “Eight, eight million, that’s enough, that’s enough! Miss Evans bids eight million, is there a higher bid?”
A few onlookers who had mocked Xaviera for not spending money suddenly lowered their heads, their faces full of embarrassment.
Wasn’t Miss Woods saying that Xaviera didn’t have any money? Why would she spend eight million on a n*ecklace?
Although the n*ecklace is valuable, it should only be worth three million at most. Eight million is a sky–high price.
Has Xaviera gone crazy? Spending so much unnecessary money?
Zara Woods‘ face turned green, her nails digging into her palm.
Suki Woods blurted out in anger, “Xaviera! You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? My sister already bid five million! Why are you still competing?”
“I’m also doing this for the sick children?” Xaviera replied with an indifferent smile, continuing, “Actually, the money doesn’t matter. What’s the matter with spending some money to help cure the children? Whoever bids the highest wins in an auction. Does that mean I can’t bid just because your
sister wants it?”
“You…” Suki Woods suddenly choked, her face turning red.
Xaviera’s words left her speechless, yet Xaviera was clearly pretending, and still talking about helping
the sick children.
Zara’s eyes were cold and bitter, but when she looked up again, she showed a gentle smile. “It’s alright, Xaviera. If you want it, I’ll give it to you.”
The auctioneer’s hammer fell, and everyone couldn’t help but look at Xaviera.
Most of them brought only five million dollars to the auction, thinking about winning a few small items. But Xaviera spent eight million dollars on a single n*ecklace!
That’s all money!
Considering this, Xaviera didn’t seem as selfish as Mr. Mamet said, did she?
“Miss Evans is quite generous too. Just now Mr. Mamet said she wouldn’t donate. That must have been a misunderstanding.”
“Someone who bids eight million dollars like that must not be a greedy or selfish woman, this time we’ve seen it incorrectly.”
“It’s all because of Zara Woods acting with Jake Lindsey to ruin Xaviera’s reputation. Xaviera clearly has money, not everyone can afford eight million dollars!”
Hearing the surrounding comments, Suki Woods stomped her foot angrily.
“Sis, don’t be mad. Xaviera can only win this one item, and it’s not even certain if she can come up with the eight million dollars!”
Zara Woods managed to force a smile, “Xaviera is doing this for the poor children. Xaviera, thank you for being sincere in helping them.”
The next second, the auctioneer brought out the next item.
Suki Woods immediately beamed with joy, “Sis, you can bid on this one. Xaviera will definitely not have any money left.”
The auctioneer: “This is a 10–carat diamond n*ecklace from South Africa. It is said to be a masterpiece by the jewelry master Eila, representing steadfast love. I believe all the ladies present must love it.” Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up, and a few noblewomen immediately asked their men to raise their paddles.
Although a 10–carat diamond is not very rare, the n*ecklace is also inlaid with many valuable gemstones, dazzling under the light, and bursting with colorful brilliance.
It was said that someone once estimated the selling price of this diamond n*ecklace to be around 10 million dollars.
But for such an item with collection value, even 15 million dollars would be worth it.
Zara Woods didn’t raise her paddle immediately, waiting until the end to start raising the price. The price soon skyrocketed to 15 million dollars.
She couldn’t help but glance at Xaviera, who was hanging her head, seemingly uninterested in the
item.
Zara’s face softened a bit, relieved that she didn’t continue to compete.
“Sis, I told you she could only afford the eight million. She doesn’t have any money left to buy anything else. She didn’t raise her paddle for this n*ecklace. She must be broke now!”
Suki Woods‘ voice carried to everyone’s ears, sounding very arrogant.
However, Zara tried to gently persuade her sister, “Suki, you can’t say that, Xaviera probably doesn’t like diamonds.”
Suki retorted, “Which woman doesn’t like diamonds? I think she’s just broke! She said she wanted to donate, right? Let her keep bidding if she can!”
“Some people are just talkers. She’s spent eight million dollars and that’s it.”
300 Chapter 300: 20 Million, I’ll Take It
Auctioneer: “15 million once, 15 million twice-” D
Suki Woods was ecstatic, her derision escalating: “Sister! See? She doesn’t dare to bid again, right? She’s just puffing up her face to look fat! She doesn’t have the money, yet pretends to be a big shot! Ridiculous…”
“20 million!” Xaviera Evans suddenly spoke.
Suki Woods choked on her words instantly.
Xaviera Evans took a sip of her coffee, and calmly said, “20 million, I want this n*ecklace.”
Listening to Xaviera’s nonchalant voice, Suki Woods felt deeply mocked, and she roared angrily, “Xaviera! Are you crazy? Whatever my sister bids on, you bid on?”
“Can’t I donate? Miss Woods, you really meddle a lot. Are you suggesting only your sister is allowed to donate, and others aren’t?”
Suki Woods choked off.
Xaviera leisurely said: “If Miss Woods isn’t satisfied, you can continue to raise the price. I have no objection, after all, the highest bidder wins!”
Zara Woods froze, struggling to get out the words: “…Fine, fine. I’ll bid on the next item.”
With an unchanged expression, Xaviera faintly smiled.
Subsequently, for every item up
for auction, Xaviera remained silent. But as soon as Zara Woods
placed the final bid, she would always raise her own card, cutting in with a higher bid, leaving no chance for Zara to increase her bid.
Suki Woods immediately started cursing, “Xaviera! You cheap lowlife, you bid on whatever my sister bids on? Just because you’re jealous of my sister being childhood friends with Mr. Caleb Mamet, doesn’t mean you have to keep targeting her!”
The crowd raised their eyes in surprise, their gaze falling on Xaviera.
Xaviera countered nonchalantly: “Jealous of Miss Woods? Your Woods family really loves to flatter yourselves.”
This time, Mrs. Woods chimed in: “Miss Evans, watch your words. Suki is right, you’re just jealous of
Mr. Caleb Mamet and Zara…”
Xaviera Evans interrupted her: “I’m bidding in order to donate. After all, just now Miss Woods kept mocking me for being selfish, unwilling to donate. I simply want to make a small contribution to the sick children, is there something wrong with that?”
Xaviera smiled faintly: “Miss Woods just called me cheap, now I don’t understand, how did dona ting all this money make me cheap? Are you saying I shouldn’t have donated?”
“Or are you suggesting that only the Woods family can donate and no one else can? Why not just make this charity auction a place exclusive for the Woods family? That way we wouldn’t be wasting our time here, don’t you all agree?”
People quickly caught on and glared at the Woods family.
No matter who is bidding today, the money goes to the children’s medical treatment and partial
donation to the mountainous area.
Xaviera’s numerous bids were all for a good cause, so how come it is seen as an inappropriate act by the Woods family?
Miss Evans had a point. The Woods family simply thought she was stealing their thunder, so they started swearing one after another.
The etiquette of this Woods family is indeed questionable, sometimes they say Miss Evans is unwell, sometimes they call her cheap, and at the start, they even mocked her for not having enough money with Mr. Lindsey.
Plus, why is Mr. Caleb Mamet being dragged into this?
Suki Woods was left with no way to defend herself, “You…”
“Miss Woods has nothing to say now, right? If the Woods family really wants to donate, just bid for the next item and save some time.”
Suki Woods trembled with rage. She thought Xaviera, this cheap woman, was just jealous of her sister’s relationship with Caleb Mamet, so she deliberately outbid her.
On one side, Zara Woods began to cry out of unfairness, sobbing softly, “Suki, Jake, just stop.”
Xaviera laughed coldly, not concerned in the least.
She had not been intervening out of spite, rather, she had been setting a trap for Zara Woods.
Out of the twenty items for auction, Xaviera had bid for eight, spending over 100 million dollars.
Everything that Zara Woods liked, she had bought them all.
Now, Zara Woods had a deathly pale face, listening to the sporadic ridicule surrounding her, and biting her l*p tightly.
In today’s auction, the most powerful were the Mamet family and the Woods family.
As Xaviera Evans and Caleb Mamet sat together, naturally they represented the Mamet family. But the Woods family, who had been proclaiming their intention to donate, ended up only successfully bidding for a 200,000 dollar figurine. How would they live it down if word got out?
Moreover, before entering the auction a while ago, Zara Woods was interviewed, stating that she would do her part to help children suffering from illness.
And now she only spent 200,000? That’s quite modest.