Chapter 127
Seraphine's POV
Heath handed me a business card.
I took it: "Summit Technologies Group, Mr. Dash Jenkins?"
"Yes, we at the Whitaker Group urgently need his exclusive technical support. Whoever gets his backing will have the advantage in the next big opportunity." Heath looked at me seriously: "The Powell Group is also trying to win him over at any cost. I just got confirmed information that Mr. Jenkins likes collecting antique jewelry."
I understood: "He wants something specific?"
"Right, a sapphire antique brooch called Moonlight. If we can get this brooch, we'll have a good chance of securing a private meeting with him." Heath handed me a bank card. "This is from the company's working capital."
I took the card and asked: "Where do I buy it?"
Heath: "There's a private charity auction tomorrow night. Moonlight is the finale item. I was planning to go myself, but I have an important meeting that I really can't miss."
"It's okay, Dad." I smiled, waving the business card in my hand. "I'll definitely get it for you."
"Octavius will definitely help Quinlan bid for it. Seraphine, no matter what, try your best to win that brooch! Don't worry about money - I've put five hundred million dollars in the card for you."
I looked at Heath, wanting to say something but holding back. "Okay, I'll do my best to get it."
Actually, I wanted to say that with Octavius there, five hundred million dollars wouldn't be nearly enough.
Octavius had deep pockets. If he really helped the Powell Group buy this brooch, the price would likely go far beyond that.
Still, this was definitely a key opportunity - not only to get the connection to Dash, but also to get ahead of Quinlan.
I smiled. "Dad, I'm not planning to bid in person."
"Why not?" Heath was confused.
"Octavius and Quinlan know me. If I show up myself, they might deliberately drive up the price or use other tactics to interfere." I explained my reasoning. "Better to have Soren represent me in the bidding while I observe from the shadows and step in when necessary."
Heath thought about it and agreed: "You're thinking more thoroughly. Let's do it your way. Make the arrangements with Soren."
I nodded.
After Heath hurried off, I called Soren back and briefed him about the auction. "Soren, tomorrow night you'll go to the charity auction and bid on my behalf. The target is the sapphire brooch. No matter what Quinlan bids, just keep matching until I tell you to stop."
Soren seemed a bit nervous but more excited: "Don't worry, I'll complete the mission! But you won't be there?"
I shook my head: "I'll be there, just not out in the open."
I wanted to see just how far Octavius would go to help Quinlan win the brooch.
"Just stick to the plan."
Soren agreed immediately and left to prepare.
The next evening, at the auction venue.
I didn't use the Whitaker family identity to enter. Instead, I contacted the auction organizers and revealed my Black Jasmine identity.
With the credentials of a Wall Street power player, I got a VIP private room on the second floor with one-way glass.
From here I could see everything in the auction hall below, but people downstairs couldn't see clearly into the private room.
I entered the private room early. Shortly after I sat down, the auction was about to begin.
Various influential figures with invitations started arriving.
I searched through the crowd and immediately spotted two familiar figures.
Octavius wore a dark suit, his face cold and handsome. As soon as he entered, women started exclaiming.
Beside him, Quinlan wore a blue long dress, walking closely alongside him.
Watching them walk in chatting and laughing, my fingers tightened slightly on the sofa armrest, but the next second I let go.
This was expected.
Octavius would now provide full support for Quinlan in every way.
This scene was something I'd be seeing often from now on. No big deal.
I forced myself to look away and saw Soren sitting in an inconspicuous spot, holding his bidding paddle and curiously looking around.
Seeing him searching for me, I immediately pulled out my phone to remind him to focus.
After Octavius and Quinlan took their seats, the hall grew lively.
The auction officially began, gradually reaching the final round of featured items.
"Next up is tonight's sixteenth item, the sapphire brooch Moonlight!"
When everyone saw the brooch, gasps of admiration filled the hall.
I first checked the price.
Starting bid: five million dollars.
I narrowed my eyes.
This price was too low. It would definitely be driven up high by Quinlan and Soren, making it meaningless as a reference point.
"Five million five hundred thousand dollars!" Quinlan immediately raised her paddle with a confident smile.
She tilted her head slightly, giving Octavius a sweet smile.
Octavius showed no reaction, his gaze resting indifferently on the auction stage.
"Six million dollars." Soren began raising the bid as I instructed.
"Six million five hundred thousand dollars!" Quinlan immediately followed, glancing toward Soren with disdain.
"Seven million dollars."
"Eight million dollars!"
Quinlan jumped by a full million, trying to intimidate Soren with momentum.
Soren hesitated, saying quietly through the earpiece: "Ms. Whitaker, she's bidding pretty aggressively."
"Match it." I watched Quinlan's smug expression below, calmly ordering, "Don't worry, don't think about the price. I'm watching."
They bid rapidly, and the price climbed quickly, soon reaching twenty million dollars.
In the hall, other buyers had long withdrawn from the competition, all watching their battle.
The Whitaker Group and the Powell Group had been at odds recently - everyone had probably heard about it.
That's why I needed to use my Black Jasmine identity to help Heath get the brooch.
The Whitaker Group had to win this brooch. It was also a chance for the Whitaker Group to demonstrate its strength to the outside world.
I spoke into the earpiece: "Start raising by two million at a time."
Soren immediately raised his paddle: "Twenty-two million dollars!"
Quinlan's expression was starting to sour, since Soren was keeping up so closely.
"Fifty million dollars!" Quinlan jumped by over twenty million in one go, then turned to Octavius with a pout. "Octavius, this brooch is really important to me. Mr. Jenkins..."
Octavius glanced at her and nodded: "I'll back you up."
The whole hall gasped.
"They're so sweet together!"
"Mr. Capulet is so good to Ms. Powell!"
I watched quietly, pressing my lips together.
Quinlan's confidence grew, and she looked at Soren challengingly.
Soren's palms were sweating as he consulted me again: "It's at fifty million now. What should I do?"
I looked at Octavius, at his attitude of unconditionally supporting Quinlan.
I wondered if I were sitting in Soren's position today, would he also be this unconcerned, only caring about that woman?
I didn't want to drag this out anymore.
Since they were teaming up, I'd use the most direct method to win the brooch.
I pressed the special call button in the private room.
Soon, the auction manager knocked and entered, looking respectful. "Honored guest, what can I do for you?"
I looked down at the floor below. "For this Moonlight, I'll light the sky lamp."
Auction houses usually have a special type of sky lamp.Lighting the sky lamp meant announcing to everyone that I would bid at an absolutely overwhelming price until no one dared match my offer.