CHAPTER 466: BIDDING WAR 2; HARRISON’S FRUSTRATION

130 million.

The first to raise the bid was a local businessman from Country E, seated in the auction hall.

By his side, his wife—decades younger—gazed with sparkling eyes at the "one and only" displayed on the screen, her adoration unmistakable.

The businessman had just raised the bid by 20 million in one go, a move that already showed his determination.

"130 million," the auctioneer announced promptly, sensing the momentum.

"130 million, going once."

"130 million, going twice."

Just before the final call, another bidder raised their paddle. "140 million."

The wealthy businessman from Country E furrowed his brow and sighed inwardly, clearly reluctant to continue the bidding war.

The auctioneer began the count once more.

"Honey~"

His young wife instantly protested, clinging to his arm and pouting in protest.

"You promised to buy me that jewelry set I love, didn’t you?

If you back out now, our little one here won’t be happy."

Her saccharine, coquettish tone turned heads across the room.

The glances she drew were mixed—some amused, some disdainful.

"Alright, alright, I’ll get it for you," the wealthy businessman conceded, wincing inwardly.

But the thought of his expectant wife and their unborn child steeled his resolve.

With a clenched jaw, he raised his paddle again.

"One hundred and forty-five million."

An extra five million on top of the last bid—already pushing the limits of what he was willing to pay.

The previous bidder, seeing this, didn’t wait for the auctioneer’s prompt.

Gritting his teeth, he matched the raise.

"One hundred and fifty million."

That, too, was his absolute ceiling.

"One hundred and fifty million—do I hear any further bids?"

The auctioneer’s face was alight with satisfaction, his narrowed eyes flickering almost imperceptibly toward the upper levels of the venue.

The man knew better than anyone—the real power players were seated up there.

The earlier lots might not have caught their attention, but this one was different.

And sure enough— The moment the words fell, the auction bell from Booth No. 5 chimed.

A middle-aged woman’s voice rang out clearly.

"180 million."

With a direct leap of 30 million, she effectively shut down any further bids from the main auction hall.

As expected, the two who had previously raised their paddles now fell silent.

The woman beside the wealthy merchant wore an expression of bitter reluctance, but she knew better than to challenge the financial might of those in the VIP booths.

She didn’t make another fuss.

The rest of the crowd remained equally still.

It was clear to everyone now—all eyes turned toward the exclusive booths above.

"Bid of 180 million from the distinguished guest in Booth No. 5," the auctioneer announced, his voice slightly more animated than before.

"180 million, going once." "180 million, going twice."

No further bids?

Seemed like the others had had their fill of the game.

"Juliet, it’s our turn now," Harrison let out a cold snort before pressing the auction button with Juliet’s hand still clasped in his.

"Two hundred million."

His voice echoed through the auction hall. Two hundred million?!

A murmur rippled through the crowd. "I heard the young lady from the Bernardo family is here too.

Looks like Mr. Harrison is trying to win her favor."

"Mr. Harrison?"

"Who else in Country E could casually drop two hundred million without blinking?"

"You mean Harrison Junior, the heir apparent of the Harrison family—one of the Big Three?" ...

The starting bid had been one hundred and ten million.

Now, at two hundred million, the price had nearly doubled.

Many were stunned by Harrison family’s jaw-dropping display of wealth.

"Alright, VIP Room Six—"

The auctioneer barely began announcing when the bidding bell from VIP Room Five rang out again.

The woman’s voice rang out once more.

"Two hundred and twenty million."

Camilla sat nestled in Sinclair’s arms, quietly observing the spectacle unfolding before her.

The diamond set was undeniably exquisite, but she felt no burning desire to possess it.

After all, so many material things were merely tokens used to prove love. And she—she already had more than enough love in her life, leaving little room for craving such luxuries.

Sinclair’s strikingly handsome face remained impassive, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Queen, too, watched the scene with detached amusement. In the auction hall, the auctioneer’s smile grew increasingly genuine.

Once this auction concluded, he could afford to take the rest of the year off.

"Very well, the bid stands at two hundred and twenty million from the guest in Box Five.

Are there any further offers?"

How dare this woman challenge him?

Harrison’s expression darkened with displeasure.

Harrison hadn’t bothered to research the identities of the VIP guests attending this auction—there was no need.

In all of Country E, only a handful could outrank him.

Instead of immediately raising his paddle, he turned and pressed the service button.

A waiter stationed outside the door promptly entered, bowing respectfully.

"Mr. Harrison—"

The attendant bowed respectfully, his gaze fixed on Harrison.

"How may I assist you?"

"Go to Private Room Five," Harrison said, his deep voice laced with unmistakable intent, "and deliver a message to whoever’s inside."

Harrison paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

"Harrison’s family will have that diamond set—no matter what."

For those with sense, that much was enough.

As for those without... A cold smirk curled at the corner of Harrison’s lips.

Harrison had other ways of dealing with them.

The attendant’s eyes flickered in understanding—this wasn’t just Harrison’s personal whim, but Harrison family’s will.

"Understood," he nodded briskly before hurrying out.

Juliet, of course, grasped the implication as well.

Yet her expression remained as composed as still water, betraying nothing.

No matter the means, possession is what truly matters.

Coming to an auction where money talks, and still resorting to throwing one’s weight around?

Queen curled her lips, her face openly displaying disdain and scorn.

What a disgraceful character.

Thankfully, he was no longer her fiancé.

Harrison didn’t notice the look on Queen’s face and turned his attention back to the auction.

Just as the auctioneer raised the gavel, he pressed the bid button again.

"Two hundred and fifty million."

This time, his tone carried an air of absolute certainty.

With a flick of his hand, he had raised the bid by another thirty million!

The crowd in the auction hall buzzed with speculation—would the guest in Box No. 5 counter with another bid, or would they back down?

After a moment of silence, Box No. 5 remained quiet.

Clearly, they had conceded.

The attendees exchanged knowing glances, unsurprised by the outcome.

It seemed the ultimate buyer of this ultra-luxury violet diamond set had been decided.

Today’s auction was just about over.

A fleeting glint of amusement flashed in Juliet’s eyes before she turned her gaze toward Queen.

Though her expression remained gentle and composed, there was an unmistakable air of quiet superiority about her.

After all, Harrison had once been Queen’s fiancé—yet here he was now, splurging a fortune for *her* sake.

Queen met her sister’s gaze, the corners of her crimson lips curling slightly as she raised her glass in a silent toast.

To anyone watching, it might have looked like congratulations.

But only she knew the true meaning behind the gesture.

Go ahead.

Do as you please.

The auctioneer, evidently convinced that the final lot was as good as sold, wasted no time.

"Two hundred and fifty million, going once."

He moved swiftly, not bothering to wait for further bids.

"Two hundred and fifty million, going twice."

"Two hundred and fifty million, going—"

"Three hundred million."

A deep, resonant voice cut through the auction hall.

Three hundred *million*?!

For a heartbeat, the entire venue—inside and out—fell into stunned silence.