Chapter 49 The Competition Continues
The venue erupted in chaos.
"823 is still bidding? What does she mean?"
"William has already said he'll bid to the end, and she's still raising?"
"It's already at 5 million dollars now. That tanzanite itself is only worth 1 million dollars. If it sells now, that's 5 times the value!"
"What's going on here?"
"Is it a problem with the stone, or with the people?"
Everyone looked at each other, and then someone asked the key question—
"If two people keep bidding on the same item at the same time, what happens?"
The venue fell silent for two seconds, then someone said: "It just depends on who can hold out longer."
"I remember this happened once four years ago. That item got bid up to an astronomical price."
"That scary?"
"Yeah, if it's this kind of situation, emotions take over, you're stuck, you can only tough it out. You never know which of you will give up first, and you don't know if the final price will be something you can afford."
"I see."
"But 823 hasn't said she'll bid to the end, right? She's just raising the price. What's she doing?"
"No idea."
"By the way, who just started that betting pool? Weren't they betting on how many times 823 would bid after William personally stepped in? That's already once now. Those who bet on 0 times, pay up!"
"The result isn't out yet, just wait!"
...
Discussions buzzed downstairs, and at this moment, on the second floor.
Isabella, who just moments ago thought everything was settled, saw the opposite side raise the price and immediately stood up.
"What does she think she's doing?" Isabella's voice was slightly shrill.
Given William's power and status in Shadow City, if he chose to bid to the end, that meant he would definitely buy it in the end. So what was the point of raising the price?
Did Lika really think she could outdo William?
If not, then what was it?
A provocation?
Was this provocation aimed at William or at her, Isabella?
While Isabella couldn't figure it out, the reactions of others on the second floor varied.
Jeffrey didn't understand what Amelia was trying to do.
Although he was a hot-tempered person, he was careful beneath that roughness. Many times, when something couldn't be done, he wouldn't force it.
Although that tanzanite was a birthday gift Amelia prepared for the child, right now all of them put together didn't have as much money as William. So what was the point?
Based on his understanding of Amelia, she wasn't such an impulsive person, so what was this?
Had she been provoked by Isabella and William's behavior and lost her rationality?
Thinking this, Jeffrey lowered his voice and asked: "Lika?"
Amelia slightly raised her eyes, looking at Jeffrey.
She said: "Do you trust me?"
Just that one look made Jeffrey's heart race wildly.
Those cool eyes hidden behind the mask had a deadly attraction.
Enough to make anyone walk onto the gambling table for her.
Jeffrey's right hand clenched tightly.
Then, he nodded gently.
Things had already reached this point, he wasn't afraid to join her at the table.
Zaid over there leaned over, gloating.
He waved directly at Jeffrey and said in a voice they could hear: "Can't even control your own woman, actually challenging William. Grandpa is still at the villa. Just wait for Grandpa to give you a good beating!"
"Zaid!" Jeffrey was furious.
He couldn't do anything about William, but was he supposed to be afraid of Zaid?
Thinking this, Jeffrey charged straight at Zaid.
"Jeffrey, what do you want? I didn't say anything wrong. You've been trying to please that woman called Lika for so many days, and you still haven't had enough? I don't want a waste as family." Zaid didn't hold back either.
"Watch your mouth!" Jeffrey went straight at him. "Say that again and I'll tear your mouth off!"
Zaid wasn't backing down either: "Tearing my mouth off won't help. Just wait for Grandpa to come after you!"
The scene was in chaos.
Many people on the second floor were watching their argument with great interest.
Otis wanted to stir things up too, but unfortunately his sister grabbed his ear and forced him to sit down.
"When will you ever be more mature?" the woman said helplessly.
Otis, like a pitiful puppy, muttered: "Big brother being mature is enough, I can be however I want..."
If he, Otis, was also mature, talented and ambitious, the Jenkins family wouldn't be in this situation.
He understood this from a very young age.
"Enough." A man's voice came from the shadows in the seating area, and the two finally stopped fighting.
The auction continued.
In seat 888.
"William, now this..."
Isabella looked at William "hesitantly," appearing as if she wanted to say something conciliatory.
"Does she really need that tanzanite?" Isabella said "understandingly," though her words were full of provocation.
But William still didn't look at her.
His cold eyes quietly watched seat 823.
Although that woman called Lika was still sitting in the dark seat, only the outline of her silver-white flowing satin gown faintly visible, even without moonlight in the room, sitting there, her presence was impossible to ignore.
Those few words of "speaking too intimately for how little we know each other" on the rooftop still echoed in his ears.
Her soft voice seemed to have the power to move hearts.
Dangerous, yet with a deadly attraction.
He couldn't see her face, but he could feel that she was also watching him.
Amelia in seat 823 calmly looked at William.
Watching his right hand slightly raise, still that same gesture.
"Bidder 888 continues, bidding 6 million dollars!"
On stage, the auctioneer's voice was very excited: "Are there any higher bids? Bidders please actively bid!"
People below were rolling their eyes.
Who else would continue bidding?
A tanzanite worth 1 million dollars, 1.2 million dollars was already what they considered the limit.
Now the price had multiplied several times over, and there was the risk of offending William. It simply wasn't worth it.
So, the only one who could participate in the bidding was that woman in 823.
Thus, everyone's eyes focused on the second floor once again.
On seat 823.
Then, everyone saw it, that same hand again.
Moon-white manicured nails, smooth skin, calmly and decisively raising the paddle.
Everyone in the venue gasped.
Even the auctioneer paused for two seconds before calling out loudly—
"Bidder 823 continues to bid, offering 10 million dollars!"