Chapter 520 Another Top-Quality Jade
Next, the second item was a famous painting, followed by a calligraphy and painting piece, with starting bids exceeding ten million dollars each.
Individuals like Brent, Walter, and Michael, who were big shots, had their own private boxes. They knew the good stuff comes later, so they weren't in a hurry to bid.
Finally, by the eighth item, the auction items changed. No longer were they antiques or calligraphy and paintings, but a piece of land with a starting bid of one hundred million dollars. It was eventually taken by a real estate tycoon for 250 million dollars.
Following that, the auction items were more conventional. As time went on, the atmosphere became more and more lively, and almost all the treasures brought out were sold.
Later on, the auction items became bizarre. Someone auctioned off a favor from a big shot, another auctioned an ancient sword, and there was even a technology patent up for grabs. Some even auctioned off a hundred specially trained virgins, and so on.
Because of these items, it was destined that this auction could not be made public and could only be conducted privately.
"Ladies and gentlemen, next up is a raw stone, starting bid at twenty million dollars." As the host's voice fell, four strong men from the backstage pushed a huge raw stone onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, the bidding starts now."
A minute passed, and no one bid. Twenty million dollars for a raw stone was expensive. If it turned out to be worthless, it would be a loss of twenty million dollars.
Even if it did contain jade, it might not be worth twenty million dollars.
Judging by its appearance, it didn't look like it would yield jade.
After three minutes, a bidder lazily raised a paddle and called out a bid, "Twenty-one million dollars."
The starting bid was twenty million dollars, and he only added one million dollars.
The host breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that no one would bid, which would be awkward.
"This gentleman bids twenty-one million dollars. Any other bids?" the host said loudly on stage.
In the box, James suddenly said to Walter, "Walter, buy that raw stone."
"Huh?" Walter was stunned, but he didn't ask much. He trusted James wouldn't trick him, so he immediately bid, "Twenty-five million dollars."
Walter raised the bid by four million dollars in one go. The previous bidder glanced over and cursed inwardly, not continuing to bid.
Others also thought Walter was foolish. Spending twenty-five million dollars on such a raw stone was likely a loss. The risk and investment were disproportionate. It wasn't something a rational person would do.
Brent frowned, and a subordinate beside him cautiously asked, "Mr. Lewis, should we compete with Walter?"
"Compete for what? It's just a worthless stone. If Walter wants it, let him have it," Brent said nonchalantly, full of disdain. He didn't believe the raw stone could yield jade.
The Lewis family was in the jade business, and Brent was skilled at betting on stones. He could tell at a glance that it was just a worthless stone, unlikely to yield jade.
Walter won the raw stone for twenty-five million dollars. Even Walter himself didn't think the stone was valuable; he was just showing respect to James.
"Walter, the raw stone is yours." James said.
Walter nodded and immediately had the staff cut it on-site. If it yielded jade, it would be a profit; if not, it didn't matter.
Soon, professionals came to cut the stone on-site. Everyone watched with schadenfreude, not believing it would yield jade.
However, reality shocked everyone in the face. "It's green! It's top-quality jade!"
A voice of surprise echoed throughout the venue, leaving many bidders stunned.
Brent, leisurely drinking, was also stunned when he heard this. His hand shook, spilling his drink on his pants.
Everyone craned their necks. The big screen showed a close-up, and the professionals had only cut about ten centimeters when green appeared. Judging by the quality, it was top-quality jade, extremely high in value!
Many bidders were dumbfounded.
Walter was also stunned. He thought the twenty-five million dollars was wasted, but he didn't expect this result. Only James remained calm, as if he had known all along that top-quality jade would be found.
"Why are you so surprised? Did you think I would really trick you?" James teased.
Walter felt embarrassed and quickly said, "No, that's not what I meant."
James continued, "I'm your instructor, so consider this a gift from me."
"Thank you, James!" Walter said gratefully.
Michael, watching from the side, felt a sense of unreality.
The professionals continued cutting and revealed a large piece of top-quality jade, worth at least five hundred million dollars!
When the entire piece of top-quality jade was revealed, everyone gasped!
The attendees were all big shots who had seen the world. They knew a bit about jade and understood how valuable such a large piece of top-quality jade was.
Twenty-five million dollars yielded five hundred million dollars' worth of top-quality jade. The return on investment was astonishing.
Everyone was filled with regret, wishing they could slap themselves.
Regret! If they had known, they would have bid a hundred million dollars for it!
Brent was even more furious, his nose almost crooked with anger.
Walter looked at James in surprise, seeing James's calm demeanor, not caring about the five hundred million dollars. Walter admired James even more.
Walter shuddered at the memory of when he first met James and even harbored animosity and opposed him. Fortunately, James had not stooped to his level.
"Congratulations, Mr. Jenkins, on successfully revealing a piece of top-quality jade. Our professionals estimate its value at no less than five hundred million dollars. Mr. Jenkins, you're truly impressive," the host said with envy.
Walter laughed, "Thanks, the impressive one is James. He told me to buy it."
Everyone was shocked and looked at James again, seeing him resting with his eyes closed, making him seem even more mysterious.
Indeed, throughout the night, James's performance had been outstanding, making them remember his name.
Walter said to Brent with a smile, "Mr. Lewis, your family is in the jade business. How about I sell you this top-quality jade at a discount? We're old friends, so I won't make much profit. I'll give you a friendship price of four hundred and ninety million dollars. How about it?"
Brent's face turned extremely dark, once again infuriated.
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