Chapter 2368
“230 million, going once. Is there anyone else willing to bid?”
Elsie braced herself and pressed forward with the question despite her nervousness.
Sergio let out a cold snort from Suite No. 4. “Miss, there’s nothing more to ask here. You must be new to the Reyes Grand Auction House, aren’t you? Well, let me make something clear for you. Once I’ve stated what I want, remember this: no one else will ever dare to bid against me again.”
Elsie’s face went slightly pale as she bowed respectfully. “Welcome, Mr. Harding Senior. It’s an honor to have you here.”
His tone was not loud or arrogant, yet the quiet confidence in his voice carried undeniable weight and authority.
Elsie’s face went pale as she bowed politely. “Yes, Mr. Harding Senior. It’s an honor to have you here.”
Back in Suite No. 2, Valerie’s expression shifted for the first time, showing clear displeasure. She gritted her teeth and could not help but call out sarcastically, “Fine, let’s just move on to the next item then. Mr. Harding Senior has introduced himself, and we’re all just small-time players here. Even if we wanted those pills, none of us would dare compete with him.”
She continued, “I have to admit, you really know how to work the room. One announcement of your name and suddenly you’re getting special treatment everywhere you go!”
Sergio chuckled. “Valerie, don’t be so petty about it. I was just using my position to get a better deal in your establishment. It’s nothing personal.”
Valerie let out a cold huff in response. “Of course not. I wouldn’t dare be upset with you. I just don’t enjoy watching our business struggle.”
Elsie was worried about her performance, and Valerie shared the same concern. As arrogant and flippant as she was, she still understood how valuable those two Divine Pills were.
They could have made a real profit tonight, but Sergio’s sheer reputation scared off every competitor. That was no different from robbing them in broad daylight, and it meant the auction house would take a massive hit. “300 million.” Right in the middle of Sergio’s smug laughter, a calm voice suddenly broke through the air. The entire room froze in shock, eyes widening in disbelief. Everyone exchanged confused glances.
Who in their right mind would dare place a bid at this exact moment?
Did they not realize what Sergio’s name represented in Chetvine?
Benny was the first to react, turning his gaze toward Suite No. 3. Puzzled, he could not help but mutter, “Wait, is that the same guy from before? Does this idiot really have the nerve to challenge the Harding family?”
Valerie was momentarily taken aback as well, frowning slightly in confusion. “What on earth is this guy trying to pull? There’s no way he doesn’t know who Sergio is, yet he still raised the bid. Could it be that he doesn’t care about the Hardings at all? No, that’s impossible.”
Just as she said that, Sergio let out an angry, cold snort and immediately countered the bid, “You certainly have guts. Since you’re so eager to disrespect me, I suppose I’ll play along… 350 million dollars!”
Andrew did not hesitate for a second. “400 million. Actually, let’s just go straight to 450 million. That’s more fitting for your status as a family head, don’t you think?”
The entire auction house erupted in chaos at his words. The troublemaker in Suite No. 3 was absolutely fearless and completely unhinged. Not only had he raised the bid by another 100 million in one shot, but he was also subtly, or perhaps not so subtly, taunting Sergio with his words.
This was no longer just a simple bidding war between two parties; this was a direct challenge, a blatant refusal to show respect to the Harding family. It was the kind of thing you might only witness once every few years in Chetvine.
The reason was simple: the status of a family head in this city was practically untouchable, like a living god. Their influence, power, and the martial force beneath their command made them one of the most dangerous men in the city.
If Sergio so much as stomped his foot, the whole city would shake. Yet, here was Andrew directly confronting this legendary figure and openly provoking him. Even someone as bold and reckless as Valerie knew better than to challenge him.
Whispers spread through the hall as people began to speculate. Maybe the guest in Suite No. 3 was someone extraordinary, someone even Sergio could not afford to offend.
Meanwhile, Elsie’s initial excitement at seeing the price rise dramatically transformed into pure terror. Anyone who had the courage to stand up to Sergio could not possibly be an ordinary person. If this stranger was powerful enough to challenge a family head, then she was definitely finished.
It did not matter whether he was the leader of some other major family or just an extremely powerful individual; either way, she was completely trapped by the 300–million bid.
At the end of the night, she would inevitably find herself in his bed.
Chapter 2369