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“Going once. Going twice. And sold to the representative of the Louvre for Three hundred ninety-nine billion dollars and ninety-nine cents.”

Emily lost her footing when she heard that number. She’d never imagined in her whole life that she would earn so much from something she made. Even when she has to give 55% to Barbara, she’d still be a billionaire. She slowly walked over to the woman, grabbed her hand a little too enthusiastically, and spoke. “Thank you so much for buying my art, miss…?”

“Mrs. Fontaine, and thank you for creating something so incredibly lifelike. Truly remarkable.”

“Thanks, it was a lot of work. So, around what time do you wish to pick it up tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? I’m sorry, but it has to be right now!”

“What?!”

“What?!” Barbara almost lost her composure.

“I’m expected to be back in Paris by tomorrow, so shipment has to be today.”

“Is there really no wiggle room? Today’s a rather inconvenient for me.”

“No. Either it’s today, or not at all!” Fontaine started to sound agitated.

Emily remained quiet. She couldn’t sent her friend off to Paris like this. But the 400 billion dollars and her career will be gone if she denied the offer…

“Today is fine.” Barbara almost jumped off the pedestal.

“Excellent. I talk to the staff about shipping. It’s been a pleasure.” Fontaine walked away before she even finished her sentence.

“Have you completely lost your mind?!” Yelled Barbara. “You are sending me off to Paris? I can’t do that! You can’t do that!”

“Look, I’ll drive home, get the replacement, and swap you at the airport. It’s a tight schedule, but not impossible.”

“No way, I’m out of here.” Barbara was about to lower herself from the pedestal.

“70%!”

“What?”

“You get 70% from the earnings. Just, play along for a little bit more, please.”

Barbara sat quiet, before sighing. “Fine, I play statue for a little bit longer. Just hurry, alright?”