“Two hundred million.”
The bid dropped like a bombshell, sending shockwaves through the room. A tense silence hung over the hall, every eye turning to Henrik’s private box in disbelief.
Sloane’s face flushed crimson with rage as her glare burned a hole in the box. Eric’s expression hardened, a dark scowl forming as his brow furrowed.
Inside the box, Henrik was eerily calm, as if his bold move was nothing more than a passing gesture.
The auctioneer quickly regained his composure. “Two hundred million! A bid of two hundred million from Box 1! Any higher bids?”
Eric’s lips twisted into a sneer, his hand shooting up to raise his paddle. “Two hundred and fifty million!”
Henrik, unruffled, raised his paddle once more. “Three hundred million.”
A ripple of excitement swept through the crowd as eyes darted between Eric and the mysterious bidder in Box 1, whispers buzzing in the air. Eric’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening further. He took a deep breath, forcing a veneer of calm, before speaking. “My friend, such a direct challenge seems inappropriate for an event like this.”
With an air of defiance, he upped his bid by another fifty million.
Henrik’s gaze never wavered. Ignoring Eric, he raised his paddle yet again. “Five hundred million.”
The auctioneer’s voice trembled with thrill. “Five hundred million! A bid of five hundred million from Box 1! Any higher bids?”
The crowd exploded in shock, their gasps of disbelief echoing through the hall at the staggering price. It was evident to all that the person in Box 1 was not just wealthy-they were intent on taking Eric down, and the tension between the two was palpable.
Everyone’s gaze locked onto Eric and Box 1, eager for the drama to unfold.
Eric’s fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white with rage. His gaze turned to a staff member. “Could I have a word with the guest in Box 1?” His voice was icy, yet laced with steely determination. “Tell them I’m Eric Watson, heir to the Watson family, and I’d like to make friends.”
The staff member hesitated before going off to consult with the supervisor.
Moments later, the staff member returned, looking awkward and uncomfortable.
“Mr. Watson, the guest in Box 1 said that you’re not in their league.”
A heavy silence descended over the room, as every eye turned to Eric, waiting for his response.
Eric froze, stunned by the unexpected reply, his face clouded with a solemn expression. The crowd sat in stunned silence, and it wasn’t long before faint murmurs and hushed whispers began to spread among them.
“Can you believe it? Eric Watson, the future head of the Watson family, humiliated so publicly.”
“Whoever’s in Box 1 must be from a truly formidable background to pull something like this.”
Sloane’s face contorted in fury, her displeasure etched into every line of her features. That necklace was meant to grace her neck, and the spotlight of the entire hall should have been hers to bask in. The idea that a complete stranger had dared to snatch it away left her seething in disbelief.
With a fiery glare towards the box, she fumed, “Who do they think they are, acting so brazenly? It’s obvious they have no regard for the Watson name!”
Sloane’s question lingered in the air, on everyone’s mind, but despite their best efforts to look into the VIP box above, only two faint figures could be seen. The tall man sat on the sofa, his features hidden in the shadows, but his presence was undeniable-commanding and filled with authority.
The way he had dismissed Eric with such casual ease spoke volumes about his status and power. Next to him was a small woman, and it appeared the necklace was intended for her.
The crowd couldn’t help but wonder-who was this woman who had managed to captivate such a commanding figure?
The murmurs around him were impossible to ignore, and every word fueled Eric’s simmering rage. He had confidently assured Sloane that she could pick whatever caught her eye at the auction, but now he was humiliated like this.
Backing down now would mean tarnishing the honor of the Watson family, a blow Eric couldn’t afford to take. His fists tightened at his sides, the tension turning his knuckles a stark white. Yet he kept his composure in check.
“My friend, I am Eric Watson, and I won’t be pushed around so easily.”
Without hesitation, he lifted his paddle once more. “Six hundred million!”
Once the bid was placed, Henrik didn’t rush to respond right away.
As they sat in the box, Khloe rested her hand on Henrik’s. “The necklace is stunning, but it can’t really be worth that much, can it?”
While she couldn’t deny the thrill of putting Eric and Sloane in their place, she felt guilty about Henrik spending so much money for a fleeting moment of pleasure.
Henrik lifted his hand, his fingers carefully weaving through the softness of Khloe’s hair. The movement was gentle, but there was a sense of command behind it that couldn’t be ignored.
A dark smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and as his breath brushed against Khloe’s ear, his voice dropped low, magnetic and cold. “The true form of revenge is to tear apart everything they care about.”
Khloe felt a chill run down her spine as she heard his words.
In that moment, Henrik radiated an aura of danger; she wanted to run yet found herself unable to look away.
He was spot on. If she wanted true revenge, she had to break everything Eric and Sloane treasured.
She couldn’t help but picture their faces when they found out Henrik had purchased the necklace for her.
With a soft laugh, she took Henrik’s hand in hers, giving it a playful shake. “Thanks. I’ll definitely put it to good use.”
Meanwhile, Eric and Sloane had convinced themselves that Henrik couldn’t possibly compete financially. Just as they relaxed, their smug grins spreading, the screen downstairs flashed a bid of one billion.
The auctioneer, who had been full of energy and excitement, stood there dumbfounded, his jaw dropped in shock, his gavel hanging motionless in the air.
Eric could no longer keep it together. His body shook, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his brow, and with a heavy sigh, he dropped his paddle in surrender.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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