Chapter 129:
“Is this fight really about the gemstone, or is it about the people locked in this contest?”
Curious looks bounced around the room, until finally someone asked, “If two people both make the kind of declaration Brandon did, how do they resolve it?” A hush settled for a few seconds before a reply came. “It all comes down to who has the stronger will to keep going—also the deeper pockets to pay for this.”
“Think back to that case in Proidan four years ago—a bidding war just like this one. Two bidders went head-to-head, and no one was backing down. The final price turned out astronomical.”
“That single auction almost destroyed the Todd family, one of the top names in Proidan. Their fortune took a massive hit, and the aftermath dragged on for years. Everyone in Proidan knows the story.”
“It’s almost scary to think about!”
“You’re right—once you’re in, it becomes impossible to back down gracefully. No one can predict who will give up first or whether the winner can even afford the final bid.”
“So that’s what could happen.”
“But 823 hasn’t made any big declarations like Brandon, she’s simply matching the bids. What is she really up to?”
“Beats me.”
“Oh, and wasn’t there a bet going on? Weren’t we guessing how many times she would keep bidding after Brandon jumped in? She’s already gone after him once—anyone who said zero better pay up!”
“The game isn’t over yet. Let’s see how it ends!”
The downstairs crowd kept the chatter going, while upstairs, Vivian, who thought she had everything under control, sprang to her feet the instant she saw Serena push the bid higher.
A sharp edge crept into Vivian’s voice. “What is she trying to pull?”
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With Brandon’s influence and standing in Crobert, everyone knew his earlier statement meant he would end up winning the auction. So why was Serena still bidding at all?
Was it possible Serena honestly believed she could outbid Brandon? If not, then what was her real intention?
Was she provoking them? And was that challenge meant for Brandon, or was it aimed right at Vivian?
While Vivian was left confused, other reactions rippled across the second floor. Charles sat there, completely unable to guess Millie’s true plan. Despite his fiery temper, he was careful about most things, and never pushed when something was out of reach.
Even though Millie had first chosen the tanzanite as a present for her own child and—for that exact reason—didn’t want Vivian to have it, there was no way they could match Brandon’s resources now that he set his eyes on it. So why keep bidding?
From what Charles knew, Millie didn’t act on a whim, so maybe she was simply pushed too far by the way Vivian and Brandon behaved tonight.
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