chapter 073 The Forbidden Purchase

As the auctioneer went silent, a murmur of 50 million dollars,"" the host announced.

The previous largest lot was only close to 100 acres, but this time, it was a whopping 500 acres!"
Chapter 073 Prohibition"As soon as the host finished speaking,discussion began to ripple through the crowd started discussing.

"". "Lot 9 is indeed a treasure, located neargem, nestled in the coreheart of New York's bustling commercial district of New York.""

""But unfortunately, this land has been designated by the ," one voice noted.
Another voice chimed in with regret, "The government has earmarked this land as a protected area where, forbidding any development is prohibited for the next fifty years. Buyinghalf-century. It's practically worthless to purchase."A third voice lamented, "If only it would be useless.""

""Yes, if this land could be developedwere open for development, it would definitely be a treasure. It's gold mine. Such a shamepity that development is prohibited.""

""If it's off-limits."A fourth voice recalled, "I remember correctly, there was ana similar situation at last year's auction last year...""

""...""Will this pieceplot remain unsold?" another voice wondered aloud.The crowd was abuzz with speculation and conjecture, but for a moment, the entire venue was devoid of land end up unsold?""

Everyone began whispering among themselves, discussing the situation.

For a moment, no one in the entire venue made a bid.

any bids. Even at the lowestrock-bottom price of fifty million dollars, no one was willing to takegamble on this undevelopable land.

""Any plot."Are there any bids for Lot 9?"" the host inquired.

""?" the auctioneer called out, breaking the silence."I bid fifty million dollars!""

!" A loud voice resounded.

Everyoneboomed, echoing throughout the venue.All eyes turned their gaze towards the personsource of the voice, the man holding up the bidding sign.

It was none other than Eric!

"""The cChairman of the Power Group wants to buy this landplot? Even if he's wealthy, he shouldn't be wastingwith his wealth, it seems wasteful to throw away fifty million dollars,"" remarked," someone inremarked, surprise coloring their tone upon seeing Eric's bid.

"""Foolish, buyingpurchasing land that can only be developed afterwon't see development for another fifty years,""," Donald sneered and shook, shaking his head disdainfully.

""in disdain."Mr. Phillips, this land can onlywon't be developedopen for development for another fifty years from now... Wwhy arewould you buyingwant it?""?" Cooper seemed perplexedasked, his confusion evident at Eric's bid.

"""Cooper, I have my own plans,""," Eric saidreplied with a knowing smile.

Hearing Eric's words, Cooper felt a sensewave of relief. wash over him at Eric's words. He noticed had come to realize that whenever Eric said something like thisspoke in such a manner, it alwaysoften led to unexpected surprises.

"""Lot 9, Mr. Phillips bids fifty million dollars. Any higher bids?" the auctioneer called out. When no further bids?""

""Alright! were forthcoming, he swiftly brought down the hammer, "Sold! This land belongs to Mr. Phillips!""

!"The auctioneer swiftly brought down the hammer upon realizing that there were no more bids. He knew that this landwas relieved. This plot had already failed to sell several times, with the before, its starting price droppingplummeting from onea billion dollars to a mere fifty million dollars.million. The fact that someone bought it nowhad finally found a buyer was a strokenothing short of luck.

After this piecea miracle.Following the sale of land was soldLot 9, two more piecesplots were auctioned off, with. Eric acquiringsecured one for twenty-five million dollars and, while a small real estate company purchasingsnapped up the other for eight hundred and eighty thousand dollars, a landplot in which Eric wasn't interested in.

Thushad shown no interest.With that, the auction finally camedrew to an end.

This timea close.In total, Eric bought a total ofhad purchased five piecesplots of land, spending exactly two hundred million dollars.

Although While he couldn't securehadn't secured the besttop two piecesplots, the five he acquireddid acquire were considerablesignificant, especially considering the lower price.

Originally given their reduced prices.Initially, Eric had prepared with two and a half billion dollars, the initial plan wasintending to use the money to crushoutbid Donald, preventing at every turn and prevent him from obtainingacquiring any land. This was what Eric's grandfather had in mind initiallyhis grandfather's original plan, a straightforward approach.

However, Eric changed his planshad adapted on the spotfly, changing his strategy. As a chairman of a company, being able to adaptpivot in the moment was crucial.

To Eric, In the end, his new plan had cost Donald fifteen billion dollars, saving himselfEric a significant amount of money and obtainingsubstantial sum while still securing him some valuable land. It was definitely a worthwhile deal.

After well worth the price.By the time the auction concluded, it was already noon, and the. The auction house had prepared luncharranged a luncheon for the landowners who had participated in the auction. The meal took placewas served in the rooftop restaurant of the hotel.

Alexander, the auctioneer, couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear.

Because thesuppress his grin. Today's land auction today amounted tohad raked in nearly 10ten billion dollars!

Considering the combined value of thosethe lands should have been around four hundred million dollars, they undoubtedlyhad made a fortune this time.

It was in akilling.In the restaurant where, ten real estate tycoons sat together at one table, including Eric and Donald.

"", were seated together at one table."Thank you, gentlemen, for your support,""," Alexander stood up to propose a toast. Alexander wasAs the land official in charge of New York.

"", he was beaming."Alexander, I think you should raise a glass to Donald separately. After all, he contributed a hefty $15fifteen billion dollars today,""," Eric casually remarked.

""suggested."Haha, alright,""," Alexander could only force a laugh.

However, in response.Donald's face darkened as heat the thought aboutof being conned out of $15fifteen billion dollars. It was blood money, and it would take him several years to earn it backrecoup, despite his previous earnings.

Nonetheless, Donaldhe managed to squeeze outmuster a smile when Alexander raised his glass.

in his honor.Just as they were about to toast, Eric chuckled and said, """Spending $15fifteen billion dollars to buy land that originally onlythat's worth $200 million at most, two hundred million dollars, it really shows Mr. Hall's true intention to contribute.""

"".""You!""!" Donald slammed his glass on the table with a loud bang, glaring angrily at Eric.

"""Mr. Hall, you spent $15fifteen billion dollars to buy land worth only $200two hundred million. We all know it, and it seems you're afraid of it being exposed,""," Eric teased.

Seeing the situation escalating, Alexander quickly intervened first, ""Both of you, "Gentlemen, let's calm down and try this red wine.""

"".""No problem!""!" Eric lifted his glass with a smile.

Donald couldn't afford, not wanting to appear petty, so he also liftedraised his glass.

"""Eric, what are you so proud of? Although I spent more money at this auction, I managed to acquire the two best pieces of land,""," Donald proudly stated.

proudly.Having bottled up his anger at the auction, Donald was now wanted to find a wayeager to retaliate against Eric and releasevent his frustration.

Leaning back in his chair, Eric crossed his arms and chuckled, """Indeed, the two pieces of land you acquired are not bad. But compared to the Number 9 plot that I obtained, your pieces are simply trash, no comparison at all.""

"".""Haha, you dare to mention the Number 9 plot? You're such a fool, spending money on a land that can't be developed for fifty years, yet you still dare to brag about it,""," Donald taunted.

For Donald, Eric's purchase of the Number 9 plot was the only thing he could use to mock Eric now.

The local real estate tycoons at the table also nodded in agreement, """Yes, although the Number 9 plot is prime land, it can't be developed for fifty years. It'll just remain idle even if bought.""

."Nevertheless, Eric smiled and said, """Mr. Hall, I didn't buy it to leave it idle. I plan to develop a top-notch commercial center and a luxury residential area on that plot, making it the most prosperous place in New York.""

."With the plot being a spacious 500 acres, its development potential was undeniably immense.

"""What? You're goingYou intend to buildconstruct a commercial center on this plot?"" Donald questioned, his eyes widened.

""Haha, you're so naive, didn't?" Donald queried, his eyes widening in disbelief."Ha! Your naivety astounds me. Have I not made it clear? This land is off-limits for development for the next half-century! Do you not comprehend?" Donald retorted with a sneer."Indeed, I already tell you? This land is prohibited from development for the next fifty years! Don't you understand?"" Donald sneered.

""Of course, I understand, butcomprehend. However, the prohibition has been lifted,""," Eric saidreplied, spreading his hands.

"" in a gesture of nonchalance."What did you just say?!""?" Donald stoodshot up abruptly.

""from his seat, his voice echoing in the room."You're talkingspouting nonsense! How could the prohibition be lifted? If it reallyindeed has been, why haven't we heard anything about it? Clearly, you're just trying to deceivebeen informed? You're clearly attempting to hoodwink us!""!" Donald exclaimed, his voice resounding loudly.

""That can only mean you're useless,"" Eric said"Your ignorance merely proves your incompetence," Eric retorted, shrugging.

Then dismissively.With that, Eric took outretrieved a document from his briefcase and tossed it on the table.

""The lifting onto the table."Here lies the proof of the lifted prohibition. If you doubt its authenticity, I suggest you peruse it thoroughly," he stated, his tone laced with challenge.The document is right here. If you don't believe it, open your eyes wide and take a good look.""

That documentin question was the onea gift from Eric's grandfather personally, handed to him at personally the previous day at their family home yesterday, the mysterious. It was a gift.

shrouded in mystery until now.Donald, with an expressionhis face a mask of disbelief, quickly grabbedhastily snatched up the document.

After DonaldOnce he had finished reading the document, he slumped back ininto his chair, his face filled witha picture of despair, and the. The document fellslipped from his hand ontograsp, landing on the table.

""Is it really with a soft thud."Has the prohibition truly been lifted?""?" Alexander, who washad been standing beside Donald, saw his expressionreaction and quickly picked up the document.

"""It's true! It's reallyThe prohibition has indeed been lifted!""

After!" Alexander finished reading the document, he couldn't help but exclaim, his voice becoming sharprising in pitch due to his inner shock.

Alexander's words caused an uproara stir in the private room.

"""Land No. 9 has been prohibited from developmentunder prohibition for six years, and now it's actuallybeen lifted?""

""?" "If this land is developed after the liftpost-prohibition, its value would be tremendous! After all, theskyrocket! The location of this land is excellent!""

""Ifis prime, after all!" "Should the Power Group developsdevelop this land and turnstransform it into the most prosperous area in New York, Power Group will surelythey stand to make a fortune from this project!""

Everyone at the table were !" The room was filled with New YorkYork's real estate tycoons, so they were well moguls, each one acutely aware of the potential profits that developingthe development of Land No. 9 would bring. "could yield.