Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 173

Chapter 173 All Eyes on Ashton and Her

Adrian replied nonchalantly, “How would I know? Whether Ashton comes or not, he wouldn’t bother to

inform me.”

Rebecca is Adrian’s cousin and has been living with the Moxley family since she was young, so her last

name is

Moxley.

Although the three Adrian brothers and Rebecca seem to get along well only on the surface.

In fact, there really isn’t much sibling affection between them, and they don’t get involved in each

other’s affairs.

It’s not that the Moxley brothers deliberately ignored her, but rather, Steven and Norman were

preoccupied with their careers and didn’t have much time to socialize with Rebecca.

As for Adrian, it’s simply a matter of his personality not meshing well with Rebecca’s.

Adrian is outgoing and loves to have a good time, going around and enjoying himself. He is carefree

and impulsive in

his actions.

Rebecca has a cold and gloomy temperament, which, in Adrian’s view, makes her quite dull and

difficult to get along

with.

He couldn’t get along with Ashton for the same reason.

Upon hearing him say this, Alyssa became displeased.

“Then it’s possible that my dad might go. In that case, my mom and I won’t go back for Christmas. We’ll

talk about it

later.”

Adrian had kept Alyssa by his side for three years, and now that he suddenly couldn’t see her, he felt

as if a daughter

had abandoned him.

He felt uneasy, but reluctantly agreed, “All right, all right, I’ll talk to Rebecca and ask her not to bring

Ashton back on

Christmas.”

Alyssa immediately responded, “Then you have to promise. After you’ve talked to Rebecca, call me,

and only then will my mom and I consider returning to Richmond.”

There are some things Deborah finds difficult to say directly, but Alyssa understands, so she won’t put

Deborah in at difficult position.

Over there, Adrian said exasperatedly, “You little brat, daring to threaten your uncle like that. Fine, fine,

fine, I’ll make

call later and make sure Ashton won’t be able to enter Moxley Manor, alright?”

“Go ahead and make that call, then let us know when you’re done by calling us back,” Alyssa said

before hanging up

the phone.

From the tone of Alyssa’s words, Deborah could tell that Adrian had indeed treated her well over the

past few years.

Upon thinking about it, Deborah would definitely need to visit the Moxley family on the day of Christma,

to express her gratitude wholeheartedly.

After Deborah and Alyssa finished viewing the art exhibition, it was past four in the afternoon. The

organizers then invited them to have dinner at a nearby hotel.

After finishing dinner, the charity gala soon began.

During this time, Adrian called back and said that he had spoken with Rebecca. He assured that

Ashton would not be present at Moxley Manor on Christmas.

After asking for Deborah’s opinion, Alyssa agreed to return to Richmond before Christmas.

Deborah made up her mind to visit Moxley Manor, and now that her only concern was gone, she felt Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

much more

relaxed.

But soon, she could no longer feel relaxed.

As soon as she and Alyssa entered the auction venue, they headed to the front row to take their seats.

From a distance, they could see Ashton sitting in the same row.

The auction hadn’t even started yet, and a few merchants were already standing next to him, their

faces full of flattery and ingratiating words.

Ashton’s face showed little emotion, and he responded with a few words somewhat impatiently from

time to time.

Alyssa noticed it too and immediately looked at Deborah, saying, “Well, it’s hard to guard against

everything.”

Deborah couldn’t help but laugh at her words, and pulled her to sit down, “Don’t worry, Mommy will just

bid a couple

of pictures and then leave.”

The auction was about to begin, and the merchants surrounding Ashton quickly took their seats.

The first items up for auction were several pieces of jewelry. As the auctioneer introduced them, he

couldn’t help but

steal a few glances at Deborah.

It’s no wonder he’s looking. In the past, when Joseph took Deborah to auctions, he loved bidding on

beautiful jewelry

for her.

She doesn’t wear it often, but she bought it to keep and admire.

But Deborah never raised her auction bid paddle.

She had no plans to buy jewelry today, and another thing was that she had limited money on hand and

didn’t intend

to spend Joseph’s money either.

Over the past three years, she had earned a salary as a designer, and also made some money by

learning to invest with

Joseph.

The money in hand is just over 8 million dollars.

And the starting auction pieces for these jewels, each one is worth at least a few hundred thousand

dollars.

She doesn’t have much money, so she needs to spend it carefully.

Before Deborah could raise her auction bid paddle, the auctioneer’s face showed a hint of

disappointment.

When it comes to bargaining for purchases, Deborah and Joseph are quite generous and

straightforward.

And now, there’s Ashton at the scene, who’s been looking at his phone the whole time, seemingly

uninterested in the jewelry.

Ashton’s purpose for coming was quite simple to casually bid high on one or two items, treating it as a

charitable donation and reinforcing his image as a good businessman who accumulates virtue through

acts of kindness.

And finally, there’s the showstopper, Rockefeller Emerald, with a starting bid of 7.5 million dollars now

that’s something he would bid on.

The auctioneer tried his best to create a lively atmosphere, but most of the people present couldn’t help

but steal glances at Ashton and Deborah, their minds clearly preoccupied with the anticipation of some

juicy gossip.

Deborah was almost falling asleep as she waited, but finally, the auction began for Ann’s two

paintings.

Alyssa tugged at her sleeve and said, “Mommy, it’s our turn now.”

Deborah instantly became alert upon hearing the auctioneer finish introducing the painting, and then

mentioned the starting bid of 75,000 dollars.

Deborah immediately raised the auction bid paddle. “90,000 dollars.”

The atmosphere at the scene immediately became lively with more discussions, and some people

started raising their auction bid paddles.

“110 thousand dollars.”

“120 thousand dollars.”

Deborah raised her offer. “150 thousand dollars.”

Ashton’s enthusiasm waned as he paused from scrolling through his phone, lifting his gaze to look over

at Deborah.

His face showed surprise as he just realized she was there.

At this moment, Deborah wasn’t paying any attention to him, as she was determined to succeed.

But her expression was quite composed, showing little interest.

This is what Joseph taught her. In a business place, the more you want something, the more you

should act as if you

can take it or leave it.

Otherwise, it’s easy to fall into traps and be given inflated prices,

Ann’s artwork, among the many painting masters, is not considered particularly good.

But behind her are the Moxley family and the Abrams family, as well as her own status as an

internationally renowned

designer.

So, people continued to bid, and the price was called all the way up to 270 thousand dollars.

Deborah telt a bit of discomfort.

In the past, spending Joseph’s money didn’t seem to bother me much, but now that I’m spending my

own, it does

hurt a bit.

She pondered that 375 thousand dollars was her limit; if someone else raised the bid, she wouldn’t

compete this time.

Deborah raises the auction bid paddle again. “290 thousand dollars.”

Ashton suddenly raised his auction bid paddle. “300 thousand dollars.”