Chapter 126:
“Could there be more going on behind the scenes?”
“I want to know the truth! Someone, spill it already!”
While everyone argued and speculated, Vivian kept glancing at Brandon to see his reaction. Out of nowhere, he stood and strode over to the railing above the auction floor.
“Look, Brandon’s getting up—he’s making a move!”
Everyone turned as Brandon stopped at the railing, lifting his right hand to get a staff member’s attention. After taking the microphone, he spoke into it clearly.
“No matter what bids come in, I will continue to bid.”
There was no mistaking it—he had every intention of winning.
Excitement surged through the room. A burst of energy carried the auctioneer’s voice as he called out, “Bidder number 888 just made a bold move! Let’s give him a big hand!” Applause rang out from every corner.
Every eye in the room could feel the tension rising—this was the climax of the auction.
Earlier, people had whispered among themselves, but now voices rang out as everyone started talking and shouting without restraint.
“Wow! It’s been forever since a charity auction was this dramatic!” one person exclaimed.
“You’re right! The last time we saw anything like this was a year ago, all for that antique cup. The bids just kept climbing until some mystery bidder swooped in with a twelve-billion-dollar offer and ended it!”
“Don’t forget the one three years ago. A single painting set off a bidding war, and another mysterious bidder snatched it for seven billion!”
“And there was that modern art sculpture in Flaville—another seven-billion-dollar finish, all thanks to an anonymous buyer!”
Loud chatter filled the space, with one person turning to his friends in confusion. “You keep talking about these record bids, but what’s actually happening right now? I still don’t get it.”
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A quick answer came back. “It’s all about Brandon’s signal. He’s letting everyone know he’s not backing down—he’s going to keep bidding for that tanzanite, no matter how high it goes.”
The puzzled guest tried again. “But can anyone just do that? What if they can’t pay up?”
Someone else leaned in and explained, “The auction house has rules for this. The Evans family runs a tight ship. I heard of one person who tried and couldn’t cover the bid, and the fallout? Wasn’t pretty. We’re all guests of the Evans Group, so they’re definitely in control. Even at smaller auctions, they check that bidders have the money first.”
A thoughtful nod followed. “That makes sense.”
Another voice chimed in, “But there’s nothing to worry about this time—this is Brandon Watson we’re talking about!”
Everyone agreed, because Brandon was the face of the Watson family—the most powerful name among Crobert’s three leading families!
The lighting in the venue first faded, then flared back to life, filling the room with bursts of color that swept across the entire space. Outside, the quiet streets around the mansion transformed as clusters of drones filled the sky. Every drone glowed brightly, hovering in formation and painting intricate patterns high above the estate.
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