?Chapter 1667:
“Two hundred million.”
Shock swept through the hall. Alban had pushed the bid to two hundred million.
Was he truly determined to im the Elderroot at any cost, or was he deliberately driving the price sky-high to cripple the Wade family? Dering an all-in meant the bidder would match any raise until the item was theirs — and in such a situation, anyone without substantial reserves would never act so recklessly. Those who overextended faced devastating consequences: at best, staggering losses; at worst, financial copse and the ruin of everything they had built.
“The Wade family is finished. Alban is clearly aiming to bankrupt them.”
“They brought it on themselves. You don’t go all-in unless you can bear the consequences.”
“I’m not convinced the Wades will fall. The woman beside Miss Wade must have the means to back this — otherwise, she wouldn’t have let the bidding climb so high.”
La’splexion drained of color, her body trembling with rage. Her fury was directed not only at Alban for relentlessly outbidding her, but at Christina for pushing her into an all-or-nothing gamble. If the Jones family refused to step in, this single auction could destroy the Wade family. The Wades simply did not have the financial capacity topete with Alban head-on, and without solid backing, continuing to raise the bid while locked in an all-in would spell ruin for everyone she loved.
That was precisely why auctions were no ce for reckless bravado. Now that La hadmitted, retreat was impossible unless Alban chose to stop.
Still pale, she lifted her paddle with unsteady hands. “Two hundred million and one hundred thousand.”
Even without speaking, the auction rules required her to exceed the previous offer by at least one hundred thousand. All La could do was pray silently that Alban would finally withdraw.
By now, the auction hall had be a battleground between the Martel and Wade families, the intense bidding holding every spectator in rapt attention. All eyes were fixed on Alban, yet many also watched Christina closely. To them, the Wade familycked the capital to rival the Martels — only the poised woman holding the child seemed to possess some unseen authority, enough to challenge Alban’s dominance.
“Three hundred million,” Alban announced, raising the stakes once more.
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The entire room drew a collective breath. It was now undeniable that Alban was acting with malice, intentionally inting the price to turn the Wade family into a publicughingstock. No matter how wealthy someone was, paying such an outrageous premium was sheer folly. Once the story spread, the Wade family would be mocked as rich yet utterly irrational.
La clenched her fists, teeth grinding as anger burned through her. Alban was despicable — deliberately driving the price upward to obliterate the Wade family. And yet what made it worse was Christina. Why had Christina forced her into this corner?
“Three hundred million and one hundred thousand!” Each new bid felt like a de twisting in La’s chest. Paying such an absurd sum for the Elderroot would surely provoke her family’s wrath once she returned home.
“Three hundred million and two hundred thousand,” Alban countered, his tone cool.
“Three hundred million and three hundred thousand,” La followed, her voice hollow.
This time, Alban did not respond.
“How tedious.” He rose to his feet and casually adjusted his cuff. “I’m finished.”
A smug curve touched his lips as he flicked a taunting nce toward Jordy and Christina before letting his gaze settle on La.
“Miss Wade, I’ll graciously leave this rare Elderroot to you. Congrattions. For your information, no Elderroot of this age will evermand such a price again — you’ll certainly be remembered.”
The implication was unmistakable: La would be remembered as a fool, a cautionary tale of reckless extravagance. As Alban departed with his usualposed elegance, the people in the hall struggled to contain their amusement.
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