CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: NOT IRENE, BUT SERENA STERLING

The scene turned fervent.

These consecutive follow-up bids, each executed with precision and decisiveness.

Especially the last one, an increase not by 100,000, but jumping directly to 1.5 million, expressing her unwavering determination.

"What’s going on, doesn’t 823 know the identity of the person she’s bidding against? Going head-on like this."

"How could she not know? That Irene is the woman Jasper Ford brought, and the host of this banquet is the Ford Group. How could Jasper Ford not be aware?"

"It’s true, so what are they doing now?"

"Who knows? Although it’s Julian Lawson’s partner holding the placard, 823 is essentially challenging Julian Lawson."

"This tanzanite is valued at 1 million, in my estimation, exceeding 1.2 million isn’t worth it. Now it’s raised straight to 1.5 million, is there some underlying reason?"

"Unclear, do you think 888 will bid higher?"

"If it’s Julian Lawson, he certainly would bid more, given his wealth, but this time it’s Vera Hansen holding the placard, which is perplexing."

"Isn’t Julian Lawson afraid of losing face?"

"You don’t understand, advance and attack or retreat and defend. Continuing to bid would be pressing to the end, withdrawing can be explained as yielding to the other party due to urgent reasons, showing generosity."

"Can it really be like this?"

"Why not? Everyone present knows Julian Lawson has the capacity to press on till the end, if he doesn’t bid more, no one would doubt his wealth, but rather admire his generosity."

"But I still think it’s losing face, unable to secure a million-worth tanzanite..."

"True, he could completely win the bid and then gift it, thus covering all bases."

"Smart, it had to be you!"

The crowd buzzed with differing opinions.

But no one could be sure, so they turned their eyes to the second floor.

On the second floor, everyone was seated in their places, appearing unchanged, yet undercurrents stirred quietly beneath the surface.

Serena Sterling looked at Jasper Ford beside her, worriedly asking, "Will it affect you?"

Jasper Ford smiled, "You used your own number placard for bidding, what does that have to do with me, Jasper?"

Serena smiled, her gaze sweeping across the table beside them.

Indeed, there were two number placards for bidding here.

One belonged to Irene, the other to Jasper Ford.

Both were invited guests, hence, both had placards.

But going head-to-head with Julian Lawson like this would inevitably have some impact.

"Don’t worry." Jasper Ford noticed Serena’s concern and said, "This small matter, I can handle it."

After that, he added, "Feel free to bid, the funds are here with me."

Serena looked at Jasper Ford and whispered, "Thank you."

Her worry wasn’t about funds, but whether Julian Lawson would intervene.

From the current situation, it seemed to be purely Vera Hansen’s personal preference.

As for Vera Hansen, she found herself stuck in a dilemma.

If she followed with 1.5 million, it would hurt her to do so, and she wasn’t sure if the opponent would continue to bid.

If she didn’t follow, it would affect her and Julian Lawson’s image.

While she hesitated, Julian Lawson tapped his fingers on the table.

"Follow." He said concisely.

Vera Hansen didn’t act immediately but looked at him hesitantly, "Brother Julian, there’s really no need, it’s already surpassed its worth."

"And..." she said somewhat embarrassed, "I don’t have that much money anymore."

Julian Lawson simply glanced calmly at the tanzanite below.

He felt it ought to belong to him.

"You don’t need to worry about the funds." Julian Lawson stated.

This clearly meant he would use his money to buy it.

Vera Hansen breathed a sigh of relief, yet promptly feigned urgency, "No, Brother Julian, I promised to pay for it myself."

Meanwhile, a few individuals hidden in other seats quietly watched the situation, awaiting the final outcome.

At this moment, unexpectedly, the tightly sealed villa doors suddenly opened.

In just a moment, everyone’s attention was drawn over.

They saw a wheelchair slowly being pushed inside.

Seated in the wheelchair was an elderly man.

Although the elder was seated in a wheelchair, the aura he exuded remained undiminished.

The elder had a smile on his face.

"Sorry, I’m late." The elder said with a smile, "It seems quite lively here today, I could hear the discussions from afar."

Upon seeing the elderly man, Jasper Ford immediately stood up and quickly descended the stairs.

Jasper Ford helped the elderly man stand up, "Grandfather, why did you come personally?"

Initially, he thought the Old Master Ford was hiding in a secret seat somewhere, and he awaited the elder to send a message to take Serena there later, but unexpectedly, the elder didn’t follow the usual path and simply rolled directly into the main entrance in his wheelchair.

"Just came to take a look." Old Master Ford stood firm with the aid of a cane, at this moment, the other two members of the Ford Family also arrived, they came forward to assist.

Old Master Ford merely waved his hand, he smiled and surveyed everyone here, his gaze paused slightly on Julian Lawson, Vera Hansen, and Serena Sterling, then looked at the auction item.

Lastly, he said something that many did not understand—"Youth is wonderful."

Due to the sudden arrival of Old Master Ford, the auction paused for a moment, the auctioneer was preparing to resume the process, but Old Master Ford lightly tapped the nearby plate.

In an aged voice, Old Master Ford said, "It’s intermission time, the rest will wait for the second half."

Just stopping here?

Everyone was frustrated as if their hearts were clawed by cats, each itching badly.

Seeing the bidding had reached a boiling point, now asking them to take an intermission?

Old Master Ford noticed everyone’s thoughts, but he remained silent.

Merely with the support of his three grandsons, he moved towards the elevator leading to the third floor.

Before the elevator door closed, Old Master Ford instructed Jasper Ford: "Go bring her over here, I want to see her."

"Her" was self-explanatory.

Jasper Ford suddenly became flustered, the timing was off!

The confrontation between 823 and 888 was well known, summoning Serena during this time promised no good outcomes!

If things had been handled well before, there might have been a chance, but now...

The eldest of the Ford Family, accompanying the elder calmly, said nothing.

Alexander Ford mocked him, "Third brother, hurry."

Jasper Ford realized he couldn’t refuse, so he reluctantly glared at Alexander Ford before going to find Serena.

Serena was already aware of what was about to happen, thus when Jasper Ford was hesitating on what to say, she nodded to indicate she understood.

Jasper Ford sighed deeply, knowing this matter needed her resolution, he merely helped her stand and head towards a certain room on the third floor.

"Grandfather’s in there, be careful, if necessary, scream loudly, I’ll come to save you." Jasper Ford advised.

Serena laughed, "It’s not as scary as you say."

"It really is scary!" One could tell from Jasper Ford’s face drenched in cold sweat that he was serious.

Serena said nothing more, nodded, "Alright, I’m going in."

The other two sons of the Ford Family had already come out, at this moment, they stood nearby, watching Jasper Ford anxiously pacing outside.

Inside the room.

Serena calmly closed the door and approached Old Master Ford step by step.

Then, she stood still.

In a gentle motion, she removed the specially designed half-face mask without hesitation.

At this moment, Serena’s entire face was revealed in front of Old Master Ford.

Not Irene, it was Serena.