Someone called out from one of the suites, “350 million dollars! Since everyone seems so interested, let’s all have some fun with this.”

Another chuckled and chimed in, “Sure! 400 million is just pocket change!”

“500 million…”

The bidding continued to escalate, and the price climbed so rapidly that even Andrew could not help but raise his eyebrows slightly. It seemed like there were quite a few people who desperately wanted the Marble Essence Pill.

Still, when he thought about it more carefully, a ninth-grade supreme elixir represented the absolute peak. Once you reached a certain level of wealth and power, money became nothing more than a number on a screen. What truly mattered were things money could not buy, like this ninth-grade supreme elixir.

After the bidding reached a certain plateau, Valerie finally made her move. She shouted firmly, “600 million!”

Internally, however, she was cursing Andrew. If she could have negotiated privately with Andrew to purchase this Marble Essence Pill, she would not have had to bleed this much money. And judging by how the auction was progressing, it seemed unlikely that 600 million would secure the item.

Sergio sneered. “As always, Valerie is as aggressive as ever. But as your elder, I can’t let a junior look down on me. 700 million! I’ll say this now: anyone who dares to bid higher, I’ll match it. The Harding family may lack many things, but money isn’t one of them.”

In her suite, Valerie’s sharp brows furrowed tightly. She took a deep breath and said coldly, “One billion. Mr. Harding Senior, you may have deep pockets, but my family isn’t short on cash either.”

Benny and the others, who were far less wealthy, had initially wanted to join in. But when the bidding jumped to a billion, even those wealthy heirs had to back off. At this point, the duel between Valerie and Sergio left no room for anyone else.

These two were not people to be trifled with. Even if someone had the financial means to continue bidding, it was not worth making enemies. At this level, money alone was no longer the deciding factor. One needed both wealth and family backing to be considered truly powerful. Clearly, the representatives of these two major families embodied that top tier of influence.

Sergio’s voice dropped lower. “1.2 billion. Let me be clear about something, Valerie. My absolute limit is two billion dollars. Let’s see just how far your confidence goes, my dear niece.”

Inside Suite No. 2, Valerie gritted her teeth and cursed under her breath. “Old bastard.”

The Reyes family might be rich, but that did not mean she could throw money around freely. One billion had already drained nearly all her available funds. She could keep bidding, but she was not the head of the Reyes family, nor their biggest tycoon. In a battle of wealth, she was definitely no match for Sergio, that pompous old elite.

Chapter 2372

Just as Valerie was hesitating, a low, magnetic chuckle spread through the entire auction hall.

The voice said calmly, “Sergio, Valerie, why don’t you both step back. I’ve taken quite a liking to this Marble Essence Pill. In exchange, I’ll consider myself indebted to both of you… Consider it a personal favor. So please, let me have this one without any further bidding.”

Both Sergio and Valerie fell into stunned silence.

Meanwhile, Benny and the other young martial family members who held suites could not help but exchange nervous glances, their eyes widening with respect as they stared toward the source of that commanding voice. They all fell completely silent, not daring to utter another word.

Andrew’s brow furrowed. He turned his head to look toward the highest position in the auction house, the most exclusive and special location of all: Suite No. 1.

Throughout the entire auction, the occupant of that suite had remained completely silent, never participating in any bidding. Now, with just one spoken statement, this mysterious person had effectively commanded both Valerie and Sergio to back down.

It was not mere arrogance or a simple display of status. Instead, it carried an air of absolute certainty, as if the decision had already been made and was simply being announced rather than requested.

Valerie was the first to respond, her voice now unmistakably tinged with respect. “Since you have taken an interest in it, sir, I’ll naturally withdraw from the bidding.”

Chapter 2373