Rebecca's face turned slightly red and she whispered, "You've bought so much jewelry for me already tonight. You've spent too much money. I just thought this set was pretty. I don't want you to spend anything more." As she said this, her eyes kept drifting back to the jewelry on the stage, her eyes betraying her unspoken desire.

Then Zara raised her paddle and, grinding her teeth, said, "6,900,000 dollars!" That was her limit. Anything more than that, and she couldn't bid anymore. Her bid was a huge jump from the previous one, and the room fell into an awkward silence as all eyes turned to her. Nobody immediately raised...