Chapter 268: How Can We Catch the Fish?
With a cold expression, the blond man turned his attention to the screen. A sly grin briefly played across his lips, mischief sparkling in his gaze. “Proceed!”
The red-haired woman, Samira Natt, acting on the instruction, enthusiastically lifted her paddle. “Fifty billion!” This figure represented the maximum limit accessible to top-tier members. Under the auction’s guidelines, the supreme member was required to double any bid placed. Meaning, a counteroffer would necessitate a staggering one hundred billion. Could anyone justify spending such an amount on just a replica?
Most of the attendees believed that even the wealthiest wouldn’t be foolish enough to go that far. Nevertheless, the proxy bidder declared, “The supreme member offers one hundred billion.” A wave of disbelief swept through the venue. Filthy rich! The staggering bid shocked the wealthy crowd, leaving them stunned by the astronomical figure. The attendees murmured, speculating about the identity of the bold bidder willing to spend such a sum effortlessly. To casually bid one hundred billion without hesitation!
Inside her private suite, Vivienne’s expression hardened, a cold determination in her eyes. “This is clearly a setup.”
They had baited Derek by pushing the fund pool to its brink, ensuring he’d pay dearly. “A supreme member, really?” the blond man scoffed, his look one of scorn. His crew-cut subordinate couldn’t suppress a grin of malicious delight. “Sir, whoever bought that tiara for one hundred billion surely walked into their own trap.”
Samira added in a low tone, “That’s the price of showing off.”
“Curious about who might be behind this?” the blond man asked. After a brief exchange of looks, the man with the crew cut responded, “Do you have an idea?”
With a charming smile that enhanced his striking features, the blond man whispered a name. “Derek Hopkins.”
At that revelation, a knowing smile touched Samira’s lips. “Ah, so it’s him.” Derek’s financial resources made the supreme membership at Forreal seem trivial by comparison. Repeated encounters with Derek had previously gone in his favor, yet this time, they had engineered a scenario Derek couldn’t just brush off. Vivienne immediately recognized their scheme; it was clear Derek had as well. Yet, Derek’s participation suggested he had come prepared.
“Without appealing bait, how can we catch the fish?” Derek mused, smiling knowingly at Vivienne with warmth in his eyes. Vivienne’s eyes widened momentarily. “You were aware of their scheme from the start?”
“Of course,” Derek replied. Locking eyes with him, Vivienne’s gaze softened into a smile. “Is it that the seasoned hunter sometimes pretends to be the prey?”
Rising, Derek adjusted the diamond cufflinks on his shirt. “You flatter me, Miss Hayes.”
Predictably, the auction where the tiara sold for one hundred billion to a supreme member became a sensation.
This event sparked Diana’s curiosity. Who could possibly make such an extravagant bid without a second thought? She couldn’t imagine possessing such wealth, fantasizing about marrying a man so wealthy. As this thought crossed her mind, a plan began to form in her heart.
“Oh, Natalie, my stomach’s killing me; I need to hit the restroom. You and Warren head on out,” Diana complained, clutching her abdomen and pretending to be in pain. Natalie noticed Diana’s exaggerated act but played along with concern. “Should I come with you?”
“That’s very kind of you, but no. If you run into my brother, just tell him I had to leave.” With that, she quickly walked away.