Chapter 181: The Mansion Auction!
Ryder Clark’s eyes darted to the person hoisting their bidding paddle. It was none other than Grandpa Johnson!
Pupils narrowing, he wondered what the old man was doing joining the fray out of the blue.
Did that old coot know something about the ebony box?
Despite the puzzle enveloping him, Ryder was dead set on getting that box.
He kept the auction going. “Then I’ll raise it to $700,000!”
Without missing a beat, Grandpa Johnson countered, “I bid $800,000!”
“I’ll put down $900,000!”
“Fine, you old bat, I’ll make it a million!”
When Abigail Johnson saw this, she asked perplexed, “Grandpa, is there something special about that shabby box?”
Granpa Johnson shook his head. “There’s nothing special about it!”
“Then why are you…”
A vindictive spark flickered in Grandpa Johnson’s weary eyes. “Heh, I’m doing this because that brat Ryder wants it! Does he thinks it’s that easy to win something? If I don’t jack up the price, he'll forget his place.”
P
Realization dawned on Abigail. “You’re the real deal, Grandpa! That’s the way to do it, make him pay through the nose. Serves him right for duping us time and again!”
Lawrence chimed in with a smirk, “Dad, let’s ramp it up by $100,000 each time, heh! Let’s see how long he can keep this up.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the room had caught on to the tussle between Grandpa Johnson and Ryder Clark, finding it quite entertaining.
Everyone was glued to the scene.
Even the female host added fuel to the flames. “We have a million from this esteemed bidder—any higher offers?”
As she spoke, her gaze was fixed on Ryder.
Ryder Clark’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Two million.”
The room gasped.
He’d just upped the bid by a whopping million!
What a gutsy move!
Of course, no one really doubted that Ryder could cough up two million.
After all, he was Nathan's friend, sitting pretty in the VIP box.
How could he not have two million?
So now, all eyes swung back to Grandpa Johnson, waiting for his next move.
Grandpa Johnson squirmed uncomfortably as he felt the intense gaze of the crowd.
After all, two million wasn't a small amount for him!
thought about driving up the bid, but what if Ryder didn’t raise the bid after him?
Would he be left holding the bag with that worthless ebony box?
Maybe he should just let it go.
Grandpa Johnson was about to throw in the towel when Ryder Clark flashed an innocuous smile. "C'mon, granny, hurry up! If you can top my offer, it's yours. I believe in you! Go for it! And don't go saying you can’t afford it—I won’t buy that!"
Granpa Johnson's eye twitched as he heard his taunt. That little rascal!
How dare you underestimate me!
She prepared herself to raise her paddle and outbid Ryder Clark once more!
Abigail Johnson whispered urgently, "Granny, please don't fall for his tricks. He's just trying to provoke you to buy that worthless box and rip us off!"
Matthew chimed in, too. "Mom, calm down. That guy’s slick. If you just stop bidding, he’ll have to cough up two million for that ebony box. It'll be his loss, not yours! That two million will teach him a lesson!"
P
Grandpa Johnson felt a bit better when he heard that, shooting Ryder Clark a scornful look. "Humph! Brag all you want, but I'm out. Enjoy your two million dollar box!"
With that said, she sat down, visibly annoyed.
The hostess felt a tinge of disappointment as she saw this; she had been hoping Ryder Clark and Grandpa Johnson would keep the bidding war going. After all, a higher final price meant a larger bonus for her.
But of course, an ebony box that was originally worth five hundred thousand selling for two million was already beyond expectations.
After she called three times without any further bids, she hammered down the decision, declaring the ebony box sold to Ryder Clark.
For the rest of the attendees, this was just a minor event and not worth much attention. After all, the most eagerly anticipated auction item was coming up — the Platan Height mansion!
Sure enough, the hostess got straight to the point. "Our next item, which is also the last auction item of the evening, is one I’m sure you’ve all been eagerly waiting for!
“it’s a mansion in Platan Heights. Please look at the big screen for details!"
Behind her, the big screen lit up, showing images of the mansion — spacious grounds, a swimming pool with a rockery, European architecture — everything exuded a sense of opulence through the pictures.
More importantly, this was a villa in Platan Heights. It was the face of the wealthiest elite in Houston.
There were even classifications. In Houston, only those residing in a Platan Heights villa were considered a part of the grand family league.
Living in a luxury villa district meant you were top-tier; regular villa areas were for the second-tier families.
And for those who couldn't enter, well, let's just say they shouldn't pretend to belong to the grand families.
This was generally acknowledged to be true.
The hostess announced, "This villa is upper-middle class with top-notch amenities, even by Platan Heights standards. Therefore, the opening bid starts at 10 million! Each increment must be no less than 500,000! Let the bidding begin!"
No sooner had she finished speaking than a flurry of hands went up with bidding signs.
"I bid 10.5 million!"
"I'm in for 11 million! Don't even think about competing with me!"
"Johnson, don't bother showing off with your little assets; I bid 12 million!"
"13.5 million! I must have this villa!"
...
It was undeniable - the allure of a Platan Heights villa was incredibly strong!
Nearly everyone in attendance was eager to participate, their eyes fiery with competition.
In fact, many had come tonight specifically for this villa. The previous auction items hadn't even been a consideration.
As a result, the bidding price soared past 20 million in no time!
Of course, with the substantial 20 million threshold, the number of bidders began to dwindle.
"20.5 million!"
"I'll go 21 million! That's the most I can offer!"
"I bid 22 million!" A glamorous middle-aged woman raised her sign with clenched teeth.
That 22 million represented all the cash she had.
She had prepared for at least two years for this day and did not want to see her efforts wasted!
After she made her bid, several people who had been ready to raise their signs reluctantly shook their heads and withdrew.
When the middle-aged woman quickly urged the hostess to drop the gavel.
However, at that moment, a boastful voice rang out in the auction hall. "I bid 25 million! Any higher?"
People turned their heads in surprise.
There stood Grandpa Johnson, confidently holding up his sign, his aged face creased into a smile, wrinkles unfolding like wild chrysanthemums blooming in autumn...
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