Chapter 71 Engagement


    As the attendees of the bidding event waited, the expected individual failed


    to appear.


    Growing impatient, they started muttering to each other. "What do you think Miss Hond means by this? Has she abandoned the auction?"


    "I wouldn''t jump to that conclusion. Word has it that Ford Group, under Miss Hond''s direction, is quite intent on securing the southern district


    "Women seldom stand toe-to-toe with men in our field, right? Maybe the pressure was too much for Miss Hond."


    "Miss Hond was Carl Ford''s handpicked sessor. She couldfortably live off her inheritance without lifting a finger, yet these people are making baseless assumptions," a light-hearted voice remarked.


    Zack Liam, pushing up his sses, peered at the vacant chair meant for the CEO of Ford Group and then subtly at Nate beside him. "I was eager to meet the Ford heiress today, but it appears that won''t be the case."


    "During your stay in Lyhaton, did you ever meet the Ford family''s heiress, Nate?" Moses Seymour asked, turning his gaze to Nate.


    With a stoic face, Nate simply said, "Yes, I have seen her."


    Curious, Moses leaned in. "So? What does she look like?"


    Catching the subtle change in Nate''s expression, Zack noted the intrigue in his demeanor. "Having second thoughts about the marriage arrangement with the Ford family?"


    The purpose of Nate''s visit to Lyhaton was initially to dissolve his engagement.


    However, Zack noticed a shift in Nate''s casual demeanor, hinting that he might be rethinking his earlier ns.


    Though Nate''s reasons remained a mystery, it was clear he was not rushing to sever the engagement.


    Watching Nate closely, Moses, unable to elicit a reaction, eximed, “It seems even the unyielding can be swayed by beauty!"


    As their discussion unfolded, the auctioneer on stage announced, "Let''s begin the auction for thend in the southern district, spanning 177, 000 square feet. The opening bid is set at eighty million."


    "Ny million!"


    "One hundred and twenty million!"


    "Two hundred million!"


    The stakes for the old district''s redevelopment were high, and the attendees were keen on seizing this golden chance.


    With each new bid, the tension in the room grew, like the calm before a storm.


    "Five hundred million!" A calm voice suddenly cut through the rising tension.


    As the voice echoed through the room, everyone turned to see Nate and Matias. Whispers spread fast, everyone wondering whichpany could casually throw in a starting bid of five hundred million, pushing aside manypetitors.


    Right as the auctioneer was about to seal the bid, Corrine subtly nodded to


    Natasha.


    "One billion." Natasha raised her paddle to increase the bid.


    Corrine touched her temple lightly, her eyes flicking to a group in the lower left corner, a mysterious smile ying on her lips.


    From his seat in the third row, Bruce whirled around, shocked by the audacious bid.


    In the shadowy back, the dim light shrouded a woman''s face, yet her striking features shimmered through.


    Who could this woman be?


    The auctioneer, both curious and collected, cleared his throat. "One billion. Do we have a higher bid?"


    Before his question could fade, a soft voice from the left said, "1.2 billion.”


    Receiving another nod from Corrine, Natasha replied smoothly, "1.5 billion."


    Moses, intrigued, leaned forward to peer at the back row. "Looks like the Ford family might lose their top spot as the richest in Lyhaton!"


    Zack, unable to hold back his curiosity, stole a nce toward Corrine. "Who''s brave enough to go up against Nate?"