Chapter 1665:


    This Elderroot dated back centuries and was considered a top-tier specimen. A simr root of slightly inferior quality had previously sold for eighteen million, and the opening price was set at five million — with experts predicting the final figure would surpass twenty million.


    The moment the auction began, bids erupted across the hall.


    “Five million!”


    “Six million!”


    “Eight million!”


    When the numbers climbed to twenty million, Christina gave La a subtle nod to step in.


    “Twenty-one million!” La announced.


    Every gaze immediately shifted toward Alban. Would these two collide again? If they did, the other bidders might as well withdraw — no one present could match their financial power, especially with Alban involved. Recalling how La had pushed to the limit earlier, the crowd stirred with anticipation.


    Just as the auctioneer prepared to confirm the twenty-one million offer, Alban called out, “Twenty-two million!”


    La shot him a furious re. He was clearly provoking her. Whenever she remained silent, he stayed quiet — but the moment she raised her paddle, he followed without fail. Was he deliberately driving up the price to force her into overspending? Anger simmered inside her as she wondered how much he intended to extract from her this time.


    “Any other offers?” the auctioneer asked. “Going once at twenty-two million.”


    Despite her boiling rage, La had no choice but to respond. “Twenty-three million!”


    “Twenty-four million!” Alban countered immediately.


    “Twenty-five million!” La pushed back.


    Alban flicked a nce her way and, without hesitation, jumped the price by ten million. “Thirty-five million!”


    Find your imagination at galn ovels ; con


    A sharp intake of breath rippled through the room, followed by stunned silence.


    “The Martel family truly has immense resources — adding ten million without a second thought.”


    “That price is already unreasonable. Miss Wade probably won’t continue.”


    “Hard to say. Neither side seems willing to yield.”


    La was visibly trembling, her breathing uneven as frustration surged through her. The bidding had be absurd. The highest recorded sale for an elderroot was eighteen million — even ounting for superior quality, surpassing thirty million made no sense. She nced toward Christina, caught the silent urgency in her eyes, and reluctantly lifted her paddle.


    “Thirty-eight million!”


    Before the astonished audience could react, Alban drove the figure even higher. “Fifty million!”


    Shock swept the hall as eyes darted between the two rivals.


    “The Martel family is clearly determined to take this Elderroot, even at fifty million.”


    “If Miss Wade is wise, she should stop now. Challenging the Martel family rarely ends well.”


    “But why should she fear them? The Jones family backs her. If they intervene, the dynamic could shift entirely.”


    “I doubt the Jones family will get involved. Friendly rtions don’t mean they’ll fund the Wade family’s stubborn bidding.”


    “I never imagined today’s auction would turn so dramatic. Even without winning anything, attending was worth it — and if they sh outright, it’ll be even more riveting.”


    La clenched her jaw and turned toward Christina. “Bonnie, perhaps we should withdraw. This Elderroot isn’t worth such a sum,” she urged, her voice carrying a quiet but firm plea.


    Spending an exorbitant amount merely to support Florrie’s general health was sheer extravagance. If it were meant to save a life teetering on the brink, that would be another matter entirely — but using it as a routine tonic? That was nothing more than burning money.


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    Message from Noa: Good afternoon dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? – ? ) ?


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