?<strong>Chapter 754:</strong>


    Noticing the tension, Aarya stood up slowly, walked over to Elyse, and smiled. “If you don’t know each other, why not sit down and get acquainted?”


    With that, Aarya grabbed Elyse’s arm firmly and pulled her onto the sofa.


    Elyse had no intention of staying. As she struggled, she identally knocked over a lighter on the table. It fell to the floor and broke into two pieces.


    In an instant, Elyse noticed the expressions on Aarya’s and Nancy’s faces shift. Their expressions revealed a mix of intrigue and smug satisfaction.


    Elyse’s heart sank. She knew the lighter was expensive. Picking it up, she said, “Whose lighter is this? I broke it. I’ll pay for it.”


    The man in the room chuckled coldly, a mischievous smile on his face. “Are you serious about paying for it? Can you even afford it?”


    Elyse replied, “I have money. Even if I can’t afford it, I can borrow from friends.”


    The man raised his hand to shoulder level and swiftly gestured a figure eight.


    Elyse frowned, doubting the lighter could be worth eight grand. Then the man rified, “Eight hundred thousand dors.”


    Elyse gasped. Could this lighter really be worth that much?


    Aarya seemed to read Elyse’s thoughts and exined with a smile, “This lighter originally sold for two hundred thousand dors. But it’s a unique item from thirty years ago. It’s priceless now, and eight hundred thousand dors is just the starting bid at an auction.”


    Turning to the man with a sly smile, Aarya offered, “Rico, Elyse is a friend. For my sake, let it go. I have plenty of collectibles at home. You can take your pick.”


    Elyse didn’t feel relieved by Aarya’s words. From the moment she stepped into the private room, nothing went as she had expected. She realized the lighter was likely meant for her to break.


    There was no way she would let Aarya handle this for her. “I’m taking responsibility for what I did. I’ll raise the eight hundred thousand dors myself.”


    Aarya’s eyes briefly shed with malice.


    Rico Ewing crossed his legs and asked, “Why are you resisting? Aarya offered to help, but you turned her down. Are you trying to prove something to us?”


    Elyse shook her head. “I can’t let Aarya take on my responsibility.”


    Aarya smiled warmly. “We’re friends. It’s only natural for me to help you.”


    Seeing that Elyse remained unmoved, Rico suddenly lost his temper. He smashed the ss in his hand and yelled, “I can’t stand this woman. Poor yet so arrogant! Fine, I’ll let you take responsibility yourself.”


    He pointed to the dozens of beer bottles on the table. “Finish all of these, and I’ll give you a shot at raising the money.”


    Elyse stared at the bottles, the blood draining away from her face. She couldn’t drink that much.


    At that moment, Aarya stopped trying to mediate and gave Elyse a helpless look. “Rico’s furious. There’s nothing more I can do for you. You’re on your own now.”


    Elyse cast another wary nce at the private room’s door. Nancy remained nted there, evidently tasked with ensuring she couldn’t slip away.


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