Chapter 437 Competing Assets, Bidding, and Playing Mind Games
Brooklyn's words came out with a nightmarish tone, like muffled thunder breaking through a sky full of dark clouds. In an instant, Susie was caught completely off guard!
Susie's meticulously made-up face, adorned with expensive cosmetics, changed color in a flash. Her blushing cheeks turned pale, and she stared at Brooklyn, who stood several steps above her, as if she had seen a ghost.
Susie's mouth opened, but no words came out. She could only stare at her in a daze.
This face was very unfamiliar, much more beautiful and delicate than Brooklyn's.
But her voice was all too familiar for Susie!
The imposing aura that Brooklyn exuded, capable of crushing someone underfoot, was also too familiar.
They had lived together since they were children. If anyone knew Brooklyn well, it was Susie. Because Susie understood Brooklyn, she feared Brooklyn. Because she feared Brooklyn discovering the truth, Susie was terrified.
Overwhelmed by emotions and memories, Susie stood motionless for several minutes. She finally gripped her skirt and forced a stiff smile. "Brooklyn...is that really you?"
Marc, standing behind Susie, suddenly narrowed his gloomy eyes and looked once more at the stunning Brooklyn in front of him, scrutinizing her. Brooklyn was actually Susie's sister?
Wasn't Susie's only sister supposed to be dead?
Brooklyn smiled slightly, as if reuniting with a long-lost relative. A single smile could dissolve all past grievances. "It seems you still remember me. I'm really touched. It's been so long, and it looks like you're living quite well now."
She deliberately looked Susie up and down, taking in the designer dress, jewelry, and handbag. Susie now was the spitting image of a typical wealthy woman.
Susie's smile remained unnatural, her laughter a bit stiff. "Brooklyn, where have you been these past few years? There was no news of you at all. Everyone thought..."
"Everyone thought I was dead?" Brooklyn looked down at her, still not backing down. From a distance, it really did look like Brooklyn and Susie were having a close, friendly chat.
Susie chuckled, "You're lucky. Anyone who dared to spread such rumors must be fool."
Brooklyn's gaze shifted from Susie to Marc. This forty-something man had a cold, sinister look in his eyes. "Mr. Jordan, I've heard you're quite renowned in the business world. Meeting you in person today, you truly live up to your reputation."
Marc's lips curled into a cold smile. Anyone could see that the earlier conversation between Brooklyn and Susie was filled with hidden animosity.
"Thank you for the compliment, Ms. Mitchell."
Brooklyn laughed, "Mr. Jordan, what did you call me? I'm Susie's sister. You should be calling me Brooklyn, just like she does."
Marc's face turned ashen, his mouth twitching angrily, his eyes cold enough to devour Brooklyn. He gritted his teeth but said nothing.
Brooklyn laughed, "Mr. Jordan, Susie, please."
She slowly turned, stepping ahead in her crystal high heels, leading the way to her seat. Only then did the two of them move forward.
Susie gritted her teeth and whispered, "Honey, you see Brooklyn's personality, right? I can't believe she's still alive! Not only is she alive, but she's changed! That bitch!"
Marc's cold gaze once again fell on Brooklyn, who sat with a cold look in her eyes. He sneered, "She is nothing to be afraid of."
But Susie's fists clenched tighter. Brooklyn knew many things about her, things she didn't want Marc to know.
Moreover, there were many conflicts between Susie and Brooklyn. If Brooklyn wanted revenge now, Susie wouldn't come out unscathed.
But Susie smiled again. In the past, without any backing, she had been somewhat afraid of Brooklyn. But now, looking at Brooklyn alone and then at Marc beside her, Susie felt more confident.
As Brooklyn sat down, Brandon, without looking away, smiled and said, "Ms. Mitchell, aren't you afraid Susie will drag her husband into this and have you killed here today?"
Brooklyn also smiled, a very gentle and gracious smile. "Isn't that why I have you?"
"So you do think highly of me. Alright, since you trust me, I won't let you down." Brandon laughed.
Brooklyn weighed Marc and Susie in her mind and then said, "Mr. Hernandez, do you know how Marc and Susie got together? Susie really hit the jackpot by landing Marc."
Brandon smirked, "I don't know the specifics, but in this circle, beauty always has influence. It's a simple truth."
So, what would happen next?
Who would be discarded like an old shoe?
"I want to know to what extent Marc will go for her. If Susie encounters trouble, will Marc step in?" She needed to assess the opponent's strength, to see if Marc's feelings for Susie were genuine or just a passing affair.
Brandon suddenly laughed, this time a wild laugh, and kindly reminded her, "Don't worry. No matter how much Marc can help her, he can't beat you. Don't forget, even if Marc wants to stand up for Susie, he has to do it within his own capabilities. And your husband's strength far surpasses Marc's."
Brooklyn followed his words with a slightly appreciative smile.
He was right. Even if Marc wanted to help Susie, he could only do so with what he had. And whatever Marc had, Sebastian had too. What Marc didn't have, Sebastian also had.
However, if Marc had influence in the underworld...
Brooklyn paused, thinking. 'What about Sebastian? Does he have influence in the underworld?'
Did she hope Sebastian did, or didn't?
The auction officially began, and just as Brooklyn had anticipated, every item up for bid was incredibly valuable.
One by one, the auction items were sold at high prices. The sound of bids filled the room, with some people excited, some disappointed, some angry, and some chuckling.
Brandon was puzzled, "Ms. Mitchell, with so many good items, is there not a single one you fancy? Really? Your standards are that high?"
Brooklyn shook her head disinterestedly, "Antiques at home are just toys. Whether it's a few hundred dollars, a few thousand, tens of thousands, or even millions, I don't see much difference."
Brandon was a bit frustrated, "You should at least bid on something. Sebastian isn't short on money, are you saving it for him?"
Brooklyn pouted, "Doesn't Mr. Hernandez have anything he fancies?"
Brandon laughed heartily, "If I had someone to foot the bill, I'd be bidding freely. But no one's paying for me. Sebastian, that heartless guy, forgot his friends once he got married."
Brooklyn just smiled without saying anything.
The host said, "The next item is a painting by the famous Libertya artist Vincent Riley, 'Dance of the Nebulae'..."
Brooklyn, who had been inactive, suddenly brightened up. Vincent was Leon's favorite Libertya artist, and he had collected many of Vincent's works. He had mentioned this painting several times.
Since Vincent was still alive, his works weren't as highly priced as those of deceased artists. The starting bid was $200,000.
For the first time, Brooklyn raised her paddle. The bid increment was $20,000 each time. Brooklyn's psychological limit was $600,000. Any higher, and she wouldn't bid.
Brandon exclaimed, "You actually like this? I didn't see that coming."
"Why not?"
"It's fine, but it's too cheap, isn't it? At most, it's only worth a few hundred thousand dollars. Not enough to make Sebastian look good."
Brooklyn ignored him and raised her paddle for the third time.
Brandon crossed one leg over the other, "Just bid the highest price and take it. Raising the paddle is tiring. If Mr. Kingsley sees it, he'll feel heartbreak."
Brooklyn frowned slightly and smiled, "Spending money should also be done in moderation."
There were other competitors, but everyone seemed polite, raising the bid by $20,000 each time without breaking the increment.
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from a certain direction. A stranger, Leo, said, "Four hundred thousand dollars."
Brooklyn looked in the direction of the voice and saw, sitting next to Leo, the elegant and composed Kevin.
Kevin was here too?
Across several rows of seats, Brooklyn and Kevin's eyes met for a moment. Brooklyn's mouth curved into an awkward smile. She had to admit, seeing Kevin made her a bit uneasy.
But Kevin seemed completely at ease, like meeting an old friend. He nodded politely and warmly.
"Four hundred thousand dollars, going once..."
Hearing the bid, Brooklyn raised her paddle again, "Four hundred sixty thousand dollars."
Brandon smirked, "Ms. Mitchell, starting a competition?"
Brooklyn said mysteriously, "It's more fun with competition."
Brandon also looked at Leo, who had placed the bid. It was getting interesting!
"Five hundred thousand dollars." Leo raised his paddle.
There was a murmur of discussion in the room. Some said the price was already too high, while others said that no one here was bidding based on the item's actual value. Spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for fun was all it was.
Brandon clicked his tongue, "Ms. Mitchell, still going to bid?"
Brooklyn nodded, "Of course."
"Five hundred sixty thousand dollars."
The other side quickly followed, "Six hundred thousand dollars."
Six hundred thousand dollars. Brooklyn frowned.
The other side was still bidding, and it seemed they weren't planning to give up easily.
Everyone else in the auction room sensibly put down their paddles. The painting had become a duel between Brooklyn and Leo.
Dario leaned over and whispered to Sebastian, "Mr. Kingsley, Mrs. Kingsley seems to want this. Should we bid for it?"
Sebastian replied calmly, his smiling gaze on Brooklyn, "No need. She can handle this small matter."
Unless she didn't want it, price wasn't an issue.
Or perhaps...
Sebastian crossed his legs and leaned back, smiling.
Leo asked, "Mr. King, are you still going to bid? It's already six hundred thousand dollars. Do you really want to get this?"
Kevin clasped his hands, determined, "Tonight, no matter what Brooklyn bids on, get it for me."
"Yes, sir!"
Brooklyn raised her paddle again, "Seven hundred thousand dollars."
She could almost see what Kevin was thinking.
"One million dollars." Leo followed.
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