< Chapter 7 Menu Chapter 7 Joshua made his way through the moderately crowded aisle and took his seat beside Emelia . The moment he sat down , he was enveloped by a refreshing , rich scent of rose - like fragrance , familiar yet subtly alluring . " 450 million , " Emelia announced clearly and decisively , raising her bidding paddle with steady fingers . Before the auction even began , she had calculated that the land parcel could yield an estimated 1.1 billion in profits if developed successfully . Factoring in costs, as long as the bidding stayed below 750 million , it would be a guaranteed win . Before marrying Justin , Emelia had been a top finance graduate , renowned for her innate number sense and sharp market insights . But after marriage , she had gradually stepped away from the corporate world and the exhilarating financial battles she once thrived in , all for the sake of what she thought was love . Looking back now , she scoffed inwardly . Sacrificing a career she both loved and excelled at for a man had been sheer foolishness . At the front row , Justin's expression darkened when he heard Emelia's latest bid . His handsome features turned cold as he slowly turned to glare at her , his piercing gaze carrying a clear warning . Their original plan had been to keep the bidding within a carefully calculated range . But if Emelia continued driving up the price like this , their investment would far exceed projections , wasting millions needlessly . Yet Emelia seemed completely unfazed by Justin's silent threat . Without hesitation , she raised her paddle once more . Just as Emelia prepared to bid , Justin swiftly snatched the paddle from her grasp . His face instantly brightened with a deceptively gentle smile that carried a subtle warning . " My apologies , " he addressed the auctioneer smoothly , " my wife is being petulant . " Though spoken softly , his words carried clearly through the quiet hall , providing plausible cover for their marital dispute . Does anyone bid beyond 450 million ? " The auctioneer leaned forward , hands on the stand , scanning the room with anticipation , hoping for another bidding frenzy .