Chapter 182 - I concede defeat!
The crowd at the auction erupted into a buzz at this spectacle.
"Holy cow! He just shot up 3 million in one go! That's way too rich for my blood. I'm out!"
"Isn't that old lady one of the Johnsons? I never heard that the Johnson family was loaded before! They were just a small-time building materials outfit!"
"Hey, you out of the loop? I heard the Johnsons and the Windsors struck gold recently with a huge building materials deal. They made tens of millions! They're flush now, sitting pretty with cash to spare!"
"Well, that settles it, then. The Johnson family is about to lay claim to that Platan Heights mansion. Looks like they're stepping up to be one of Houston's second-tier families!"
...
When Grandpa Johnson heard the crowd's chatter, he was on cloud nine.
For years, the Johnsons had been nothing special in Houston; at one point, they didn't even have the clout to attend the Wisteria Club auctions.
But now?
Everyone was looking at the Johnsons with envious surprise.
What a perfect moment to show off!
Overwhelmed with excitement, she stood up with the support of her cane and declared proudly, "I bid 25 million, anyone else?"
The crowd bowed their heads, instinctively avoiding Grandpa Johnson's gaze.
Despite their grumbling, they just didn't have the funds to compete with her bid.
Seeing this, Granpa Johnson let out a smug snort from her nostrils and addressed the hostess, "No one's bidding higher, you can bring down the hammer now!"
The hostess nodded, ready to make the announcement.
But just then, a discordant voice suddenly blared, "I bid 30 million!"
Gasps filled the room as all eyes turned toward the source.
There, in the VIP booth, Ryder Clark lazily raised a sign.
Grandpa Johnson, who was about to sit back down, nearly threw out her back but managed to whirl around and glare at Ryder Clark. "Clark! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Ryder, with an air of nonchalance, replied, "I'm here to buy a mansion. Is that a crime?"
"This is an auction, not a place for your jokes! You say you have 30 million to throw in the ring, do you even have that kind of cash on you?"
"It's none of your business whether I have the money to bid or not. You're not the one who sets the qualifications! If you can't beat my offer, then shut it!"
"You..."
Grandpa Johnson’s lips quivered with anger as she turned to the hostess. "That kid clearly doesn't have the money. He's just here to cause a scene; his bid shouldn't count!"
The auctioneer replied with poise, "I apologize, but anyone who attends the auction has the right to bid on any item, so the gentleman's offer is valid."
Grandpa Johnson was taken aback.
But he was well aware that this was the policy of the Wisteria Auction House, and no amount of pressing would change the auctioneer's stance.
Swallowing his frustration, he spoke up. "Fine then, I'll bid 31 million. Does that satisfy you?"
But no sooner had the words left his mouth than Ryder Clark's voice rang out. "35 million!"
A bold increase of another 4 million!
The room erupted in murmurs of astonishment.
What a bidding strategy!
Grandpa Johnson felt like he was about to have a stroke!
It became clear to him then: Ryder Clark was definitely out for revenge!
Revenge for that blackwood box he had jacked up the price on in the last auction!
That young man surely knew how to hold a grudge.
Grandpa Johnson wanted to tear him to pieces!
But anger would not solve the problem at hand.
The bid of 35 million had already surpassed the expected price by over 10 million.
At that moment, Abigail Johnson, who was sitting beside him, said, "Grandma, this is a rare chance to get a property in Platan Heights at auction. If we miss this now, who knows when the next opportunity will come?"
Lawrence nodded in agreement. "Mom! Abigail's right; we can't let that punk Ryder Clark intimidate us. If we back out now, we'll be playing right into his hands!"
Even Matthew, who rarely took sides, chimed in. "Mom, this is about the Johnson family's reputation. We can’t let ourselves be defeated by Ryder Clark in front of all these people!"
Of course, while they all spoke in the name of the Johnson family's honor, in truth, they were worried about losing the chance to live in a Platan Heights villa.
After all, they had been buzzing about it on social media for the past couple of days.
To fail in public now would be a major embarrassment...
Finally, Grandpa Johnson nodded, a resolute glint in his eye, and raised his voice, "I'll go 36 million!"
Without missing a beat, Ryder Clark retorted, "Then make mine 40 million!"
"I...I'll bid 41 million!" Grandpa Johnson almost spat the words out through clenched teeth.
"Well, I guess I'll have to offer 45 million then! The honor is all yours," Ryder Clark said, his face brimming with provocation.
As Grandpa Johnson watched Ryder Clark call out that bid, he felt the room spin around him.
If she hadn't been in such good shape, she might have dropped dead on the spot from anger!
"Ryder Clark! You conniving little weasel, we, the Johnson family, have been good to you for years, and this is how you repay us? Have you no conscience?" Gradnpa Johnson glared at Ryder Clark and demanded an explanation.
Ryder Clark deliberately put on a contrite expression and said mockingly, "Tsk tsk! Well, I truly owe you one for all these years of 'care'. Your exemplary virtues are surely a lesson for all of us here in Houston!
“I’m sorry. You can have the Platan Heights mansion if you really like it that much, but according to the rules, you might need to add another million to the price tag! Don’t worry, I won’t raise the price again!"
"You…"
Grandpa Johnson's eye twitched fiercely; it had been a long time since she had been this furious!
He had lived for over seventy years, but she had never detested someone so deeply!
If she could, she would love nothing more than to grind Ryder Clark to dust!
He couldn’t believe that cursed kid was apologizing over and over. ‘Why do you keep raising the price if you're sorry?’
P
She was irked, but she had to secure the Platan Heights mansion no matter what—even though the price was way beyond her expectations.
Left with no choice, she shakily made her offer: "We... we bid 46 million! Phew..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ryder Clark raised his paddle again!
Grandpa Johnson's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stood up, scolding in agitation, "You just said you were out, Ryder Clark. What... what's with raising your paddle now?"
"Stay calm! Stay calm!"
Ryder Clark gestured with both hands to calm her down, then stood and addressed the crowd, "I'm pulling out of the bidding for the Platan Heights mansion, and now let's give a round of thunderous applause to congratulate the Johnson family for securing it with the staggering bid of 46 million! True to their reputation as a venerable family, they’re generous to the core! I concede defeat!"
The audience started clapping and murmuring among themselves:
"Wow! 46 million could probably buy you a luxury estate in Platan Heights, and the Johnson family are paying that for an ordinary mansion, talk about being whimsical!"
"I've seen rich folks squander money, but this is on another level! Impressive!"
"It was a treat to be here to witness the power of the Johnson family at this auction!"
"…"
Amid the odd, snide comments filling the air, Grandpa Johnson slumped back into his seat, a distant look clouding his eyes, which quickly turned red-rimmed.
Tears of sorrow began to well up – why was he, the one who had successfully bid on the Platan Heights mansion, now crying?