Chapter 134:
“This really is a moment for the history books!”
“Do you think we’ll see a repeat of those legendary auctions he ran twenty years ago?”
As another round of sharp, steady knocks echoed, the noise began to fade. Every eye turned to the three focal points in the room: the elevated platform above, Seat 888, and Seat 823.
Napier’s commanding voice rang out. “We are continuing with the bids. Bidder number 888 stands at twelve million dollars. Is there a higher offer?”
As soon as Napier’s words filled the hall, everyone’s attention shifted back to the two prominent seats.
Brandon studied the woman nearby. She stood completely still, her true feelings hidden beneath her mask. The business world often felt like a battleground, full of strategy and subtle moves. For those at the center, mind games could make all the difference.
For Brandon, self-control was everything. Over time, he had mastered the art of staying unreadable, and that skill had helped him win many of these silent duels. Nobody could tell what he was truly thinking, nor could they guess if his calm manner meant strong confidence or was simply a bluff. At the same time, whenever he let any emotion slip, it was impossible to know whether he was accidentally exposing a weakness or deliberately setting a trap.
He always seemed to find a way to read his rivals, unraveling their strategies with ease. However, the woman before him was different.
Brandon narrowed his eyes, determined to pick up on anything she might reveal.
Once Napier grew quiet, the spotlight shifted to the woman behind the mask. Everyone watched as she lifted her gaze and looked straight at Brandon. With a barely-there smile on her lips, she met his eyes.
She then slowly raised her right hand, and soon a new figure appeared on the digital board.
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“Fifteen million now from bidder 823!” Napier’s calm, seasoned voice carried through the entire venue with ease.
That was over fifteen times more than where things had started. The stone itself was worth just about one million, and now the price tag had soared to fifteen.
Earlier, the room had been full of noise and excitement, but now the silence was so thick, no one dared to breathe.
Every person seemed frozen, all waiting to see what would happen next.
“Fifteen million from bidder 823. Will anyone else offer more?” At that, every gaze shifted back to Brandon.
He kept his face as unreadable as ever, though his right hand rose in response. Brandon’s calm voice rang out, saying, “Bidder 888 matches with eighteen million dollars.”
Eighteen million dollars!
A collective gasp swept through the audience.
A single tanzanite stone had now climbed to an astonishing eighteen million dollars. And there was still no guarantee this would be the final price.
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