CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: INTIMATE BLADE, DEEPEST TRUMP CARD

As Percival Ford’s voice echoed, everyone once again looked at those two seats.

Julian Lawson watched the woman not far away, standing silently, her emotions hidden beneath the mask.

The business arena is about competition, playing one’s cards, employing tactics, and, importantly, the moment one steps onto the table, it’s all about psychological warfare.

Emotional control is an essential skill in this battle. For years, Julian Lawson has won numerous psychological battles with a face that reveals neither joy nor anger.

No one can decipher his true cards, whether his calmness is a disguise or the assurance of victory, nor can they understand whether his subtle emotional revelations are flaws or traps.

Yet, he is always able to see through the entire psychological trajectory of his opponent, easily overturning their hidden cards.

But the woman before him...

Julian Lawson slightly narrowed his eyes, carefully observing her every move.

As Percival Ford’s voice faded, all eyes focused on the masked woman.

Then, everyone saw her slightly lift her eyes, looking directly at Julian Lawson.

Her red lips curled into a gentle smile on her face.

Her right hand subtly raised, and then a number appeared beside the board she held.

"Bidder number 823 continues bidding, offering 15 million!"

Percival Ford’s aged, steady voice filled the entire arena.

times!

It’s already 15 times the initial 1 million!

The arena was bustling during earlier bidding rounds, but now it’s quiet as a chicken.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the final result.

"Bidder number 823 offers 15 million, is there a higher bid?"

As Percival Ford’s voice sounded again, everyone’s gaze locked onto Julian Lawson.

But Julian Lawson’s expression remained unchanged, and his Sky Lantern hand slightly raised.

Then, everyone heard Percival Ford’s voice once more—

"Bidder number 888 continues bidding, offering 18 million!"

times!

Everyone drew a cold breath.

It’s just a single Tanzanite, and it reached 18 million!

And this might still not be the final price!

"Bidder number 888 offers 18 million, is there a higher bid?"

Percival Ford’s pace was quick, and the scene was full of tension.

Everyone looked again at the masked woman, bidder number 823.

Would she dare to continue?

If she bid again and blew up the Sky Lantern, could she bear the cost?

However, with Julian Lawson’s wealth, a mere 18 million couldn’t possibly blow up his Sky Lantern.

But what if Julian Lawson decided to pay an even higher price?

For example, whatever the masked woman bid, he would match the funds for charity donations?

That would be nothing to him, given last year’s charity donations from Julian Lawson amounted to over a billion.

Including but not limited to scholarships for various universities, rural construction, treatment for sick children, large medical funds, disaster relief donations, special school donations, various special support funds, and more.

These were just his personal or their couple’s charity donation items, while the charity activities under Lawson Group were even further spread.

Thus, if he got angry and was willing to expend a corresponding cost to cause the opponent to bleed heavily or even face ruin, it was possible.

And could this masked woman dare to continue bidding?

The arena was silent, with everyone’s gaze again focused on the woman in seat 823.

Then, they saw the woman’s expression unchanged, her right hand continued to lift.

"Bidder number 823 continues bidding, offering 20 million!"

As Percival Ford’s voice resounded through the arena.

Everyone’s gaze toward the masked woman changed.

Insane!

She’s absolutely insane!

It’s already 20 times!

Is she really not afraid?

Her bidding opponent is Julian Lawson!

Moreover, it’s the Sky Lantern Julian Lawson!

"Bidder number 823 offers 20 million, is there a higher bid?"

Hence, even as Percival Ford directed the words toward Julian Lawson, everyone kept their focus on the masked woman.

Everyone watched this woman.

Or rather, this lunatic!

Though many present could come up with 20 million, as the invited guests to this charity auction dinner were all the elite and wealthy.

Yet none of them thought they could be more insane than this masked woman.

Julian Lawson’s eyes flashed coldly.

This was already provocation.

The opponent’s decisive, even mocking bidding was a challenge to his limits.

Not the limit of power and money.

But the limit of emotional endurance.

And the limit of identity as the highest power in Lawson Group, Julian Lawson.

Sky Lantern gesture unchanged, Julian Lawson’s right hand lifted again.

"Bidder number 888 continues bidding, offering 25 million!"

The entire arena was shocked.

times!

The bidding reached this point, beyond the expectations of everyone present.

No, perhaps, except one person.

"Bidder number 888 offers 25 million, is there a higher bid?"

Everyone continued to keep their eyes on the masked woman in seat 823.

Julian Lawson too.

He narrowed his eyes, staring intensely at the woman before him.

Trying to pierce through her mask, to see her true heart beneath the flesh.

And this woman merely smiled slightly, then raised her right hand.

But this time she didn’t bid, instead placing her right hand over her left chest, bowing slightly.

"You won." She said, "Congratulations, President Lawson."

The woman’s gentle, calm voice echoed throughout the arena.

Everyone was stunned.

As they believed this woman would go insane again, she withdrew.

Moreover, she did so with great composure.

Everything unfolded as if it were her design. She was the controller, while Julian Lawson was merely a participant.

The light shone on the slightly bowed woman, the silver flickering satin long dress perfectly displaying her slender figure before everyone.

Did she really lose?

The scene was a mix of fish and dragons.

Divided into several factions, among them—

Many who don’t understand thought so, 823 lost.

But—

She just stood there, bowed, but anyone knowledgeable wouldn’t think she lost. Instead, rising to challenge the upper echelons, she won this psychological battle with brilliance.

"Now, we enter the final bidding phase. Bidder number 888 offers 25 million, does anyone wish to bid higher?"

Percival Ford’s voice pulled everyone’s thoughts back.

Focus again turned to the scene.

But no one spoke.

A Tanzanite priced at 25 million, no one would bid again.

"25 million, first time."

Percival Ford’s voice echoed throughout the scene.

No one spoke.

"25 million, second time."

Percival Ford paused again.

Still, no one spoke.

"25 million, final time."

This time the wait was longer, but as expected, no one bid again.

"Boom!"

Light finally focused on Julian Lawson and that brilliant deep blue Tanzanite.

The arena light flowed like a dragon, above the villa, drones formed a dazzling lantern.

Percival Ford’s hammer fell, finally announcing—

"Deal! Please display your number again. Number 888, deal closed at 25 million! Congratulations on being the winner of this piece."