Chapter 49

The entire crowd erupted into chaos.

"She's still bidding? What is she trying to prove?"

"Brandon has already said he'll keep bidding no matter what, and yet she's not backing down?"

"Does she honestly believe she can outbid Brandon?"

"The price has already soared to five million, but the Tanzanite itself is only worth one million. If someone buys it now, they're paying five times what it's worth!"

"What's really going on here?"

"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 pocket 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, and 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?"

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.

With that thought in mind, Charles leaned in slightly and said quietly, "Serena, you okay?"

Millie glanced at him, her eyes lifting just enough to meet his gaze.

Her reply was simple. "Do you trust me?"

That one look from her,hidden behind the mask,sent his heart pounding.

Those eyes had a kind of power-enough to make anyone follow her lead.

Charles balled his right hand into a tight fist. But a second later, he gave her a small,steady nod.

Things had gone this far already; he was ready to go all in with her, no matter the outcome.

A few seats away, Oakley leaned in, his face lit with glee.

He waved at Charles and called out quietly,"Can't even handle your own woman, and now she's up against Brandon. Grandpa's still here at the villa-you'd better be ready for a lecture later!"

The words sent Charles' anger boiling.

Brandon might be out of reach, but Oakley was a different story-Charles wasn't afraid of him at all.

Without another thought, Charles marched straight st over to Oakley.

Oakley sneered, "What are you planning, Charles?You've been hanging around Serena for ages-aren't you tired of it yet? I don't need a brother who just sucks up to a woman."

That was all it took for Charles to snap. "You'd better watch what you say!" He clenched his fists, ready for a fight. "If you don't shut your mouth, don't blame me for shutting it for you!"

Oakley refused to back down. "Go ahead, see if that helps. You should just wait-Grandpa's going to have plenty to say to you later!"

The argument quickly spiraled, drawing attention from all around.

Interest sparked on the second floor as more people watched the brothers' bickering.

Jayceon even tried to get involved, but Adriana quickly yanked him back by the ear and forced him into his seat.

A sigh slipped from Adriana. "Will you ever learn to act like an adult?"

Jayceon murmured, sounding as miserable as a scolded puppy, "As long as Myron acts the part, I'll just do whatever..."

If Jayceon had been more driven or capable, the Elliott brothers would likely fight each other for power just like the Evans brothers.

That fact had always been obvious to him,

"That's enough." The words came from a man hidden in the dimness between the rows, and it was only then that the two finally brought their antics to a halt.

Meanwhile, the auction rolled on.

Over at seat 888, Vivian hesitated, and then leaned toward Brandon as if trying to calm things down."Brandon, what are we supposed to do now?"

She added, voice dripping with feigned concern but carrying an edge, "Does she really need that tanzanite?"

Brandon still refused to acknowledge her. His cold,focused stare remained locked on seat 823.

Though Serena lingered in the shadows, the silver-white satin of her gown caught the faintest light,making her presence impossible to ignore, even without the glow of moonlight.

Echoes of their earlier conversation still circled in Brandon's mind.

Her soft words seemed to carry a power that unsettled the heart-dangerous, yet impossible to resist.

No matter how hard he tried, Brandon couldn't see her face, but he sensed her eyes lingering on him. Over in seat 823, Millie watched Brandon with perfect composure.

"Bidder 888 is raising the bid to six million!" The auctioneer's voice rang out, barely able to contain his excitement. "Anyone want to go higher? Please, feel free to keep bidding!"

A round of eye rolls swept through the audience below.

Who would even dare continue at this point?

This tanzanite was only worth a million at best. Even 1.2 million would have been steep.

Now, the bidding had soared far beyond its value-and angering Brandon wasn't worth the risk.

That left just one person in the running, the woman sitting in seat 823.

Every eye in the room snapped back to the same spot on the second floor.

Everyone saw it-her hand appeared once again.

With silvery nails and smooth skin, the hand lifted the paddle with calm assurance.

A ripple of shock ran through the crowd.

The auctioneer paused for a moment but then finally announced with excitement, "Bidder 823 continues.offering ten million!"