Chapter 8

“Murphy, Cornelia has fainted due to an allergic reaction. Please take her to the hospital.” “If you don't come, then let her struggle by herself.” After honking twice, Parker left Cornelia's side. He glanced at the unconscious Cornelia but ignored her. He knew Murphy would definitely come. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Murphy drove straight into Parker’s yard. “Where’s Cornelia?!” He followed the maid’s instructions at top speed and found the unconscious Cornelia. In a daze, Cornelia caught the fresh scent of mint again. Opening her eyes, she saw Murphy’s face. It was him again. He had saved her for the second time. After spending half a month in the hospital, Cornelia was finally able to be discharged. Under Parker’s arrangements, Murphy had taken care of her for the entire half month, rarely like a shadow of her. She had gone from initially rejecting and numbness to gradually growing accustomed to Murphy’s presence. She had always seen him as a younger brother, but now she felt he possessed a thoughtfulness and maturity even Parker lacked. On the day of her discharge, Murphy couldn’t pick her up due to prior commitments, so Parker sent her an address, inviting her to attend a charity auction. She had never enjoyed such events and was about to decline, but as she flipped through the auction catalog, she suddenly spotted a set of emerald jewelry! It was her mother’s heirloom, a family treasure! Cornelia didn’t know how the set had ended up at the auction, but she had to retrieve it. She changed into her evening gown and took her seat before the event began. As the auctioneer described each item, Cornelia struggled to steady her breathing. As each item was sold to different bidders, Cornelia remained unfazed. Her goal was clear: the emerald jewelry set. However, Cornelia wasn’t sure if the money she had was enough to secure the set. She clenched her fingers tightly, waiting. When the auctioneer finally brought out the emerald jewelry set, carefully describing its features, and announced the starting bid of “50 million,” Hearing this price, Cornelia’s heart sank instantly. She hadn’t realized that the money she had was barely enough for the starting bid. Most of her assets were shares and properties, and she couldn’t mortgage them in time. Just then, Edith, for some reason, also raised her paddle, as if she had set her sights on the jewelry set. But clearly, the jewelry set was too old-fashioned, not something Edith would like. Suddenly, Edith glanced back at her, her smug expression like a bucket of cold water poured over Cornelia’s head. Sitting beside Edith was Parker, whose financial resources were more than sufficient to acquire the jewelry set. Cornelia had no choice but to bite her lip repeatedly, contemplating her options. In the end, she lowered her head and appealed to Parker for help. “Parker, please, lend me the money. I want this set of jewelry. Please!” Cornelia’s eyes were filled with pleading. This was the first time she had ever begged Parker so humbly. For a moment, everyone looked at Cornelia with strange expressions. It was as if they were saying, “If you don’t have the money, why are you buying it? Is this thing really worth borrowing money for?” Cornelia didn't care about the stares; she kept begging Parker over and over. But Parker remained unmoved. As Edith kept bidding, and the jewelry was about to be hers, a young voice rang out from behind, “One hundred million!” Cornelia turned sharply and saw Murphy, tall and graceful, who seemed to have rushed over, still carrying the cold air from outside. He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, giving her a reassuring smile. “Sorry, sister, I’m late.” At that moment, her heart began to race wildly. With Murphy’s help, Cornelia successfully bid on the emerald jewelry set. When she touched her mother’s heirloom, tears streamed down Cornelia’s face uncontrollably. She gently caressed the jewelry, as if feeling her mother’s warmth. It was time for the auction to end, and the crowd suddenly grew larger for some reason. Fearing Cornelia might be bumped into, Murphy pulled her away from the crowd.