Chapter 4Bidding on My Life: The Heiress's Revenge

My knees almost gave out.

Thank god she took the bait.

"Sarah, are you crazy? This is enough!" Julian shouted.

But Sarah pouted, stamping her foot.

"No! It's not enough! I want that! This auction is my only chance! If I don't get it now, I never will!"

Seeing Julian hesitate, she unleashed her ultimate weapon: whining.

"Julian baby, you're the best. Besides, she lit the Sky Lantern. She has to match the bid. It's the rules."

The "rules" of the System. If I didn't follow them, the consequences would likely be fatal.

Since I lit the Sky Lantern, they knew I couldn't back out.

Julian nodded.

I laughed, mocking Sarah.

"Everyone knows a bid has to be higher in value than the last. But you, Sarah Snow... your looks, body, height—all inferior to me. Your family wealth and connections—inferior. Your IQ is practically non-existent. Do you really think your life is worth more than mine?"

"What did you say?!" Sarah looked ready to attack me.

But the Auctioneer nodded in agreement.

"As Ms. River said, Ms. Snow's value is significantly lower than Ms. River's. The bid is invalid."

Sarah was furious, stomping and demanding Julian fix it.

Julian panted, conflicted.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, grabbing Sarah's hand.

"Then I'll add my life to the pot! Is that enough?"

Instantly, the Auctioneer presented life-and-death contracts.

Sarah and I signed without hesitation.

Julian hesitated, then signed his name with a savage stroke.

He threw the pen down, looking manic.

"Now! How will you match that? Don't forget, you lit the Sky Lantern! If you don't win, I guarantee you'll suffer."

I was stripped bare of assets. I had nothing left of value.

Was I going to lose?

Suddenly, Sarah spoke up.

"How about this? Bet your SAT score. I remember the Ivy League admissions office contacted you. A perfect score is basically guaranteed. Bet 1600 points. That should be enough."

I looked at the Auctioneer. He nodded.

"Betting test scores?"

"Can a score even transfer to Sarah?"

"Sarah, maybe let it go?"

Whispers filled the room, but Sarah ignored them, taunting me.

"Well? It's the last valuable thing you have, you stray dog. Dare to bet it?"

I almost laughed out loud.

I was waiting for this line!

In this life, I didn't take the SATs!

The admissions office contacted me because I had already been accepted via early action based on my Olympiad wins!

I didn't have a 1600 score to give. Let's see how you handle a zero.

"I bet it! I bet 1600 points!"

The moment I bid, Sarah waved her hand, relieved.

"I fold. Sister Evelyn, the photos are yours. But your money, your company, your score, and even your life... are now mine! Hahahaha!"

Sarah laughed at the sky like a victor, looking like a lunatic to everyone else.

Going once...

"Evelyn River, your family was kind to me once. I'm fair. If you strip naked, kowtow to me, and promise to be my dog, maybe I'll spare your parents," Julian said excitedly.

I treated his words like barking. I stared at the gavel.

Almost there...

Going twice...

"Boys! You can play with this bitch anytime you want! Free of charge! Film it! She wants to act like a saint? I'll rip that mask right off!"

Jeers erupted again. Someone reached for my skirt.

I slapped his hand away, eyes glued to the gavel, sweat slicking my palms.

Julian was ecstatic. "Haha, you think you're still the high-and-mighty Miss River? You're a slave now! Everything you have is mine!"

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand.

If I miscalculated, my life was over.

Finally, the gavel came down for the third time.

Sold!

Under their triumphant gazes, the Auctioneer spoke slowly.

"Congratulations to the winner of the private photos—Ms. Sarah Snow!"

The color drained from Julian and Sarah's faces.

"What?! I won?!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!!"