Chapter 294: Chapter 294: What Is She Even Worth?
Ding dong.
The doorbell rang.
Ann Vaughn got up to answer the door. It was the hotel attendant, carrying a beautifully wrapped gift box and a bouquet of dewy roses.
"Hello, a gentleman with the surname Sheridan asked me to pass these to you. He is very sorry about the video and hopes for your forgiveness."
With these keywords strung together, Ann Vaughn knew who sent the items.
"No need, please return the items."
Though they had unauthorized use of the videos, falsely claiming that she was Wilder Sheridan for retaliation, she was able to escape, thanks to the nanny car taking her away from the scene.
Let’s consider it even.
"The gentleman truly feels sorry for you, and said that even if you don’t accept it, there will be gifts to express his apology."
"..."
In the end, Ann Vaughn accepted the flowers and the gift, placed them nonchalantly on the table, and left the hotel with her handbag.
Uncle Vance had sent someone to wait downstairs in the hotel from early on, so once Ann Vaughn stepped out she saw the Sheridan family’s car.
Upon arriving at the Sheridan Residence, Ann Vaughn routinely applied eye treatments and acupuncture for Old Mrs. Sheridan, whose condition was much improved since yesterday.
Old Mrs. Sheridan was also more spirited, taking the opportunity to ask Ann Vaughn how she learned to sing "The Peony Pavilion," as not many young people nowadays enjoy listening to such tunes.
"My grandfather was skilled in music theory, often humming little tunes or composing and singing his own. I listened to him so much that I wanted to sing for him too, so I pestered him to teach me. Fortunately, I’m not too bad."
Recalling past events, Ann Vaughn’s eyes were filled with a soft nostalgia.
Although she did not receive her parents’ concern and love, her grandfather compensated for everything, and she felt satisfied.
"You are a filial child. Your grandfather is lucky to have a granddaughter like you." Old Mrs. Sheridan, still unable to see clearly, felt for Ann Vaughn’s hand and patted it gently.
"I also have a granddaughter around your age, perhaps you could become friends."
Ann Vaughn’s eyes curved with a smile, "Then she must be a clear and bright person."
Just like this elderly woman.
Since falling ill, Old Mrs. Sheridan had been living in the attic, rarely seeing her younger relatives, and sighed. However, thinking of her newfound granddaughter, her heart was still joyful.
"My granddaughter was lost outside from a young age, suffered many hardships, but now that I’ve found her, it’s all by heaven’s grace. I’m uncertain how long my health will last, but I hope to make up for the missing love."
Listening to her tone filled with guilt and fondness, Ann Vaughn felt a bit of envy in her eyes.
This girl is truly lucky.
After finishing the treatment, Ann Vaughn left a week’s worth of prescriptions, then took her things and left the attic.
Just then, Wilder Sheridan and his manager were walking this way. Upon seeing Ann Vaughn behind Uncle Vance, the manager was momentarily stunned.
"Isn’t that the woman from last night? How is she here?"
Wilder Sheridan frowned, looked over, only seeing a slender figure under the willow tree, without discerning the face.
"What are you talking about?"
"The woman whom your fans mistook for you last night." The manager, seeing Wilder’s impatient face, continued, "Are you sure she’s not a relative? You two look too alike, more so than you with your sister..."
"Compared to my sister?" Wilder interrupted with a harsh tone, "What is she? How could she compare?"
"I meant your third sister, not your favorite Bella." The manager found his sister complex exasperating, "Also, I suspect it’s not just a coincidence she was mistaken and then appeared here."
"Maybe she’s here for you."
Upon hearing the manager’s words, Wilder’s face was even more disgusted.
Ann Vaughn, having left the Sheridan Residence, was unaware she had become a scheming villain in Wilder’s eyes.
Upon reaching the hotel, she received an invitation left for her at the front desk.
It was from the Gilded Pavilion’s branch auction, containing the item she had long wanted—an herbal remedy.
Though the auction would be crowded, and someone might recognize her, even in the Gilded Pavilion’s territory, she had to be cautious.
In the evening, Ann Vaughn applied a simple makeover for herself, transforming her gentle face to appear a bit rugged, making it difficult for anyone who’s not familiar to recognize her.
She arrived just on time for the auction’s start.
However, upon seeing a "familiar person" on the other side, she was slightly surprised, but being in her hometown, Marinia, it wasn’t too unusual.
"Sis, what are you looking at?" On the other side in the VIP seats, Wilder Sheridan saw Jane Sheridan staring intently in a direction and curiously looked over.
Jane immediately turned her gaze back with a smile, "It’s nothing, just saw someone I’m not very fond of."
In Wilder’s view, Jane had always been kind and gentle. Anyone she disliked must have extremely poor character.
"Did she bully you?" Wilder frowned and asked.
"No bullying." Jane’s smile faded a bit, feeling somewhat lonely, "Maybe I did something wrong to upset her; after all, The Imperial Capital is not Marinia..."
She stopped mid-sentence.
Wilder’s agitation intensified, "She thinks our family is easy to bully? Don’t worry, sis, I have ways to deal with her!"
Jane smiled helplessly, said nothing, her glance toward Ann Vaughn filled with a touch of mockery.
Ann Vaughn was oblivious to this, but even if she knew, she wouldn’t care.
Because she was waiting for the auction item—the "Hundred-year-old Blood Ganoderma"—to finally appear!
The starting bid was a million, with each bid increment not less than fifty thousand.
The auction hall was lively; the bidding arose incessantly, climbing to 6.5 million within minutes.
Bidders had substantially reduced now, with only the family’s elders remaining.
Ann Vaughn saw the timing was right, and began her participation in bidding.
She estimated the bidding limits well, targeting the acceptable range to win the auction.
"Nine million going once, nine million going twice..." The auctioneer initiated the hammer.
Suddenly, a voice came from the other side of the VIP seats, "Ten million!"
The price was raised by a million at once, prolonging the auction time for the Blood Ganoderma.
Ann Vaughn was slightly surprised and glanced towards Jane’s direction, then refocused and upped the bid, "Eleven million."
Wilder’s handsome, flamboyant face bore a smirk. Compete with him for wealth?
Sorry, he had never lost since childhood.