Chapter 3

I slowly stood up and let my gaze sweep across the room.

"Listen up, everyone. Right now, I don't just look down on the Levine family—I look down on every single one of you here," I sneered.

I might not know business, but I know how to be a decent person.

Ever since I walked in, these so-called business tycoons haven't said a word about charity—all they've done was kiss Richard's ass.

In that instant, I became the target of everyone's scorn. Even the auctioneer couldn't stay neutral.

"Madam, our auction is no place for someone of your... caliber," he said.

I slowly looked up and stared at him.

I challenged, "Oh? What kind of person do you take me for? Care to enlighten everyone?"

Before the auctioneer could say a word, Bonnie suddenly stormed onto the stage and snatched the microphone from him.

"Susan, you're nothing but a pathetic loser!" Bonnie shouted, her voice echoing through the room.

The business tycoons in attendance all rose to their feet and applauded, openly endorsing Bonnie's insult.

Even Richard, who had been quiet the whole time, looked at me with a smug smile.

Right then, I suddenly realized how foolish I had been to agree to help the Levine family in the first place.

I kept quiet so long that Bonnie figured I was backing down. She lifted the mic again, a sneer on her face.

"Hey, Susan, now you get why Mr. Levine won't sit anywhere near you?" she sneered.

Then she cranked up her voice, making sure every single person in the room could hear her loud and clear.

"Because you're just not good enough," Bonnie said, her tone dripping with contempt.

I bit back her fury and replied coldly, "So you're saying I should divorce Richard, Bonnie?"

Bonnie smirked, a sneering laugh escaping her lips.

She said, "Since you're so aware of it, I might as well be honest.

"Face it, Susan—I'd make a much better Mrs. Levine than you ever could."

With a deadpan expression, I enunciated each word deliberately: "Go on. Then what?"

Bonnie shot me a disdainful glance.

"Mr. Levine is divorcing you," she announced, her voice loud and full of scorn.

I froze for a few seconds and then turned to Richard.

"Is it true? Are you really divorcing me?" I asked.

Richard arched an eyebrow, his gaze full of obvious disdain.

He said, "Bonnie's right. I've wanted to divorce you for a long time. I've just been putting it off because of my dad."

"With all you big shots here today, you can all be my witnesses.

"I, Richard, am divorcing you—right here, right now."

I looked at him coldly, my voice flat.

I asked, "Are you serious?

"Richard, are you absolutely sure about this?"

No sooner had I finished speaking than Richard—reckless as ever—whipped a divorce agreement out of his pocket.

He said coldly, "Susan, save your breath. I've never felt even a shred of affection for you. Not then, not now, and never will."

I took a good look at him and sighed deeply.

"Mr. Levine, looks like you've had this ready for a while, haven't you?" I asked.

Richard nodded indifferently.

He sneered, "You got that right. I've been wanting to divorce you every single day.

"Always have, and always will."

Right then, Bonnie immediately led the applause from the stage, and the guests eagerly joined in the jeering.

I cast a sidelong glance around the room, my lips curling into a faint smile.

I smiled, "Look at you. Seems it'd be hard to say no now.

"Fine, if that's what you want, I'll agree to the divorce. But—"

Richard's face lit up with excitement as soon as he heard my approval.

Before I could even finish, Richard cut me off impatiently.

He said coldly, "Well, Susan, now that you're finally agreeing to the divorce, things just got a lot simpler.

"Name your price. I'll see what I can do."

I waved my hand dismissively, fixing Richard with a knowing look that spoke volumes.

I said, "Mr. Levine, no need to rush. Let's save the money talk for later.

"Even though I'm agreeing to the divorce, the auction is still going on.

"I just bid six million and one dollars. Are you planning to outbid me?"

I knew Richard through and through. He was the kind of guy who lived and died by his pride.

The second he found me still going for that blue diamond, his face soured like a lemon.

"Look, Susan," he said, his voice dripping with warning, "don't push it. You don't want to regret this."

I just arched an eyebrow and gave him a dismissive wave.

"Come on, Richard. You're the chairman of Levine Group. You can't be scared off by a measly six million, can you?"

That was all it took—Richard snapped right then and there.

He shouted, his voice booming across the room, "Fine! Let's see how long you can keep up this little game.

"Ten million dollars!"

"Ten million and one," I tossed back, my smirk never wavering.

Richard shot me a look like he wanted to throttle me, then raised his bid again.

"Fifteen million!" he bellowed.