Chapter 100

When folks in theother private rooms heard that, they started to get a bit jittery. Honestly, dropping tens of millions on a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry wasn't that crazy; the kicker was that those auctions usually wanted cash or cashier's checks, no installment plans allowed.

A bunch of rich families quickly got on the phone with their secretaries.making sure they had the cash ready so they wouldn't miss out on snagging something precious.

Meanwhile. Emily was nervously counting her money, wondering if she had enough to buy anything. When she overheard someone say a piece could go for tens of millions, she shook her head, feeling a bit out of her league, and thought about just enjoying the show.

"Forget it." Emily thought. "Since I'm here. I might as well watch others buy these jewels." She felt a bit bummed but quickly decided to just enjoy the auction and appreciate the art.

Just then, the host's voice boomed out again, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a rule set by Mr. Phillips. He believes the price of each item should reflect its true value, not some crazy high amount. He wants the craftsmanship to be passed down, so everyone has a chance to wear it, not just lock it away in a safe. Each of these thirty-two treasures has its price,but I can't tell you what they are. You'll need to bid incrementally, starting from the $150 base price. So, if someone bids $15,000, the next bid should be $15,150, not jumping straight to $16,500. That's our first rule,no skipping bids."

Seeing everyone paying attention, the host went on, "Secondly, we only take cash or card payments, no personal checks. Thirdly,since this

exhibition is in a private estate, apart from the people already here, no one else can come in. So, if you were thinking of having friends or staff bring money, don't bother calling them, they won't be let in."

Hearing this, the room buzzed with chatter.

"What are we supposed to do? They didn't mention this before, and now they want everything paid up front. I didn't bring enough money!" a woman's anxious voice came from one of the private rooms.

"Can I pawn my watch or trade something?" a man whispered from a booth behind Emily.

The whole place was buzzing with tension and excitement. Everyone was trying to figure out how to get their hands on the items they wanted.

Meanwhile, Emily thought. 'It's fine, the main reason I came was to visit,and I've already done that. As for the auction, it's the participation that counts.' She had often gone to auctions with Patrick before, just watching without buying anything. Today, she felt happier than before, at least she had her own booth and seat.

Hearing the murmurs below, the host continued, "I'm sorry, we do not accept barter. So, today's auction is all about luck. If you bid the price set by Mr. Phillips, then that jewelry is yours, on-the-spot transaction, first come,first served."

The host's voice was crystal clear in the quiet room, sparking more chatter among the crowd.

A middle-aged woman raised her paddle and spoke into a walkie-talkie,"What if the money we brought isn't enough to buy everything here? Will they be destroyed? Or will there be a second auction?" She was dressed to

the nines, her hair perfectly styled, her eyes a mix of worry and excitement.

It was clear she really admired Henry's work.

The host replied politely, "Don't worry, these items won't be destroyed.They're all masterpieces by Mr. Phillips. Congrats in advance to those who bid successfully today. For items that don't sell, we'll donate them to the Handicraft Museum. Mr. Phillips said he'd be upset if such craftsmanship were lost during his time. Since he has no apprentices, he wants to preserve these crafts in the museum. If someone is destined, they might receive Mr. Phillips' legacy, but it's not guaranteed. Do you all understand the auction rules for today? If everyone is ready, we'll start with the first item."

The host's voice was steady and powerful, his eyes scanning the room as if looking for that special someone.

Everyone straightened up, and the room fell silent. The whole place felt solemn, each person holding onto their own hopes and dreams. Everyone had hoped to win the bid for Henry's masterpieces, including Emily.

Emily sat in her seat, her mind racing. She calculated the cash she had left after the down payment for her house, which was supposed to go towards renovations. But since the place was fully furnished, thanks to Melissa, she had $328,000 in her bank account.

Thinking about it, Emily mentally divided her remaining money. Some of it was for Lisa after she got out of rehab. Lisa's situation had always been a sore spot for her, and she hoped Lisa could start fresh. Another part was for Gordon's recovery. Gordon's condition also weighed heavily on her mind. After all that, she realized she had less than $100,000 of disposable cash!

Emily felt a bit helpless. Faced with such top-notch jewelry, of course,she

wanted it too. The exquisite pieces seemed to call out to her, each one with its own unique charm. But with limited funds, she sighed and kept listening as the host started introducing the prices of the treasures laid out in front of them.

"Next. we have the first treasure, a handcrafted carved necklace, starting at $150!" The host's voice was full of enthusiasm and anticipation.

"I bid $300."

"I bid $450."

"I bid $600..."

The bidding voices echoed one after another, each person eager to quickly match Henry's set price, afraid that if they hesitated,someone else would outbid them. For this group of tycoons, a $150 increment was nothing.They were dressed in their finest, exuding confidence and pride. Their voices echoed in the serene estate, like a fierce battle was unfolding.