The auctioneer cleared his throat, glancing at the stunned Mr. Perkly before addressing the room. “Twenty thousand dollars, going once… going twice…” Stacey’s heart thundered as the gavel came down a final time, sealing her victory. Her pulse raced as she watched Mr. Perkly’s face drained of color, his shock frozen in place.
Stacey’s hands trembled as the reality of her victory sank in. She’d done it. She had outsmarted Mr. Perkly, wrestled her sanctuary away from his greedy hands, and secured her apartment. Outwardly calm, she could barely contain the surge of satisfaction washing over her.