Chapter 780:
The crowd, now used to the rising stakes, showed no signs of shock at the new figure.
Gorman’s gaze remained locked on Linsey. He was determined to hear her response. Without breaking eye contact, he lifted his paddle once more. “$1.5 billion.”
He was determined to match Collin’s bid for bid if necessary.
“$1.7 billion,” Collin said quickly.
The price had soared well beyond the intrinsic value of the Star of the Desert, reaching sums few could contemplate affording.
It seemed that both Collin and Gorman understood precisely what the other wanted. This wasn’t merely about a necklace anymore. The outcome of this bid seemed to carry a meaning far greater than the necklace itself.
Linsey, feeling the tension, finally spoke firmly. “Gorman, this needs to stop. The bid is already at $1.7 billion. That’s an immense amount, even for you.”
She took a breath, hesitating for a moment before continuing, “You already secured my champion piece today, for which I am deeply thankful.”
Gorman’s lips curved into a smile that looked more genuine than the previous ones.
“Really?” he asked, a lazy smile spreading across his face. “You still haven’t answered my question, Linsey. I really want to know. After all, it’s your answer that will decide if I keep bidding.”
“$1.7 billion, going once?” the auctioneer called out.
𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: g⸮𝗮𝗅⸮𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⸮ⅽ⸮𝗈𝗆
Without hesitation, Gorman raised his paddle and said, “$1.9 billion.”
A look of irritation flashed across Linsey’s face.
She immediately looked away from Gorman and stared straight ahead. After all, the money wasn’t coming from her pocket.
A look of disappointment curled Gorman’s lips as he saw her reaction.
“$2.1 billion,” said Collin.
This made Gorman’s frown deepen even more.
Linsey hadn’t been wrong. It would be hard for him to come up with such an amount.
Yet he couldn’t seem to let Collin walk away with something Linsey liked.
“$2.3 billion,” Gorman said in a voice that seemed unsure.
Haven, all smiles, turned to Collin and softly said, “Collin, the price has gone high enough. Perhaps we should stop bidding for it.”
Collin didn’t turn to Haven, so he missed the look on her face and failed to realize her misunderstanding.
Gaze steadily fixed ahead, he said, “That’s not an option. I have to win the Star of the Desert.”
It had been a long time since Collin had seen Linsey’s face light up like that.
That was how he knew she liked the Star of the Desert and why he was determined to win it for her.
Even if she had started a family, he still wanted to get the necklace for Linsey.
Message from Noah: Time flies, dear ones! ga|nove|s was born on December 14th and we’ve now celebrated over 6 months of existence. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (˵ •̀ ᴗ – ˵ ) ✧
