?Chapter 278:


    Javier was taken aback by her boldness. Who in their right mind would open with a bid that doubled the asking price? But the real shock was yet toe.


    Elena was not the only one who recognized the herb’s extraordinary value. No sooner had she dered her bid than apeting voice from across the room countered, “Three million.”


    Undeterred, Elena pressed on, her tone calm but resolute. “Four million.”


    “Five million.”


    “Six million.”


    With each new figure, Javier found himself holding his breath. He hade to the auction thinking the etherscent vine mightmand, at most, two million—a gross underestimation. Javier entered the auction with a five-million spending cap, courtesy of Vince. He had confidently offered to buy Elena a gift earlier, never imagining his funds would be depleted so quickly.


    Now, the sting of regret was sharp, and he was silently grateful he hadn’t started the bidding—otherwise, he would have been drowning in embarrassment.


    It wasn’t just Javier who was caught off guard; Karen and Evelyn, listening from adjacent rooms, were equally stunned. Despite having already spent a fortune, Elena boldly raised the bid on the herb even higher.


    Just how deep did the Harper family’s wealth go when it came to her?


    Unbeknownst to Karen and Evelyn, who had missed Elena’s grand homing banquet, Alexander had bestowed upon Elena a generous five percent share in the family enterprise—a gesture her parents never extended to Evelyn, despite her favored status.


    For Karen and Evelyn, who lived carefree lifestyles, Elena’s financial power remainedpletely unknown. But to Elena, such sums were nothing more than pocket change.


    Whispers spread throughout the first-floor hall as people spected about the mysterious bidders in Room 2 and Room 5. Karen upied Room 1, Elena had Room 2, Evelyn was in Room 3, and directly across from Elena was Room 5. The bidder in Room 5 was now going head-to-head with Elena for the etherscent vine.


    Aureus Auction House was a favorite among the’s elite, offering top-tier discretion by keeping guests’ identities secret. Because of this, the crowd could only specte about the true identities of the mysterious bidders.


    gαlnσν?ls has fresh updates for you


    As the bidding war escted to thirteen million, onlookers buzzed with awe and curiosity.


    “Today, we have two truly formidable figures among us!”


    “I thought just getting an invitation here was an aplishment, but these bidders? They’re in a league of their own!”


    “How in the world could a herb possibly be worth more than ten million?”


    “It’s already blown past twenty million!”


    The numbers soared higher, and Javier’s expression grew more somber. He nced at Elena, who seemed unperturbed, and bit back the words he wanted to say.


    Impatiently, Elena dered, “Thirty million.”


    Javier’s eyes widened, shock etched across his face. This was supposed to be their limit, yet the other bidder seemed determined to push even further.


    .


    .


    .