After everyone from different industries arrived, the auction officially started.
A group of people walked in from the side door with the leader of the city hall leading them. Then, they sat in the seats that were intentionally separated from the rest.
The leaders from different industries who came to the auction started interacting with each other. They understood that those people who had just walked in were the influential businesspeople from Harbor City.
The leader of the group was a man who looked like he was in his 60s. He was wearing a suit and looked lean. However, when he talked, he was oozing with the air of a successful man and looked like he was full of charisma.
Next to him were a young man and a young woman. The man was chewing gum while looking slovenly.
The woman was very beautiful and looked so charming it was as if she had been blessed by heaven. The moment she appeared, she attracted the attention of a lot of people.
The woman was looking around in the venue as if she was looking for someone.
Immediately, her eyes landed on Jasper. She smiled softly, greeting him from afar.
Jasper smiled back at her as a response.
“Do you know each other?”
Wendy was particularly sensitive about this.
“Not really. I only met her once,” Jasper replied honestly.
“She’s pretty, right?” Wendy asked with a grin.
“So-so. I don’t feel anything looking at her. Anyone would just be a pretty shell compared to you.”
When Wendy got this answer that filled her with the will to live, she finally displayed a genuine smile. She was pleased with Jasper’s tactfulness.
Zayden looked into the eyes of the slovenly man from a distance. When he saw the other party gesturing an ‘ok’ to him, he let out a huge sigh of relief before turning around to look for Jasper.
When he saw Jasper and Wendy bantering flirtatiously with each other, his eyes darkened and he turned his head around with a scoff.
The emcee got on stage during the commotion and patted the microphone. After everyone was silent, he said, “Welcome everyone. I will be hosting the auction today.
“Plus, the returning millionaire investor from Harbor City, Mr. Zachary Law, his eldest son, Henry Law, and daughter, Anna Law, will be watching from one side.”
After knowing the identity of the businesspeople from Harbor City, an uproar started among the millionaires from the province.
Everyone knew that the businesspeople from Harbor City were extremely influential, but they had no idea it was the number one wealthiest family in Harbor City—the Laws.
It could be said that the Laws were one of the friendliest families to Mainland among the top millionaires in Harbor City. Their old master, Tom Law, and the leaders of Capital City had a very close relationship.
They could not compete with Old Master Law in terms of status and position.
The emcee comforted everyone’s emotions. Then, he said, “So, let’s start the auction now. There is only one thing being auctioned off today and it’s a piece of 16-acre land at the south bank of the Southface River. Plus, it comes with the rights to develop the entire south bank of the Southface River as a whole.
“The details of the land are already on everyone’s tables. I’m sure everyone has already looked into this, so let’s not waste any more time and start now. The base price is 300 million dollars. Each bid increment should not be less than one million dollars.”
“300 million!”
After the emcee finished saying that, someone raised their paddle immediately.
Everyone at the scene smiled knowingly. Everyone knew in their hearts that they were just here to watch the auction.
The main characters would either be the Hanks or the Schulers.
The wealth and power of the rest present were just slightly below these two families.
“400 million.”
Indeed, Zayden called out right after.
The person who called out 300 million gave in quickly.
It was harmless to call out a starting price. If the Hanks had already joined, then it would be offensive to continue bidding.
“500 million.”
Jasper started raising his paddle without disappointing the others.
The auction had just started and both of them came with guns blazing.
Everyone started watching the show like obedient little kids. No one dared to interrupt the fight between the two families right now.
Zayden looked at Jasper and smiled coldly. He had the promise of the businessman from Harbor City, so he was not afraid of spending money.
“600 million!”
Zayden raised his paddle again.
“650 million.”
“700 million!”
Zayden quickly called out and turned his head to smile coldly at Jasper. He said, “Don’t come and bid like other people if you don’t have money. Why don’t you take a look at yourself first?”
“He’s deliberately infuriating you.” Wendy pulled Jasper’s sleeve.
“I know,” Jasper replied nonchalantly.
“So what should we do? Our limit is 900 million. I don’t think he’ll give up based on his attitude,” Wendy said worriedly.
“710 million.” Jasper lifted his paddle again.
Zayden simply stood up and pointed at Jasper before laughing coldly. He said, “Did you run out of money? Where’s the fun in increasing just ten million? I’m going to call for one billion!
“Increase if you have the balls!”
After one billion was called out, it caused an uproar in the crowd.
This price was more than what everyone had expected.
Everyone turned their heads to Jasper.
No one knew whether he would be enraged by the bid increment.
“What are we gonna do?” Wendy asked anxiously.
There were no changes in Jasper’s expression. He shook his head and said, “It’s out of our price range.”
“You said the land development rights are very important…” Wendy said hurriedly.
“Don’t worry.” Jasper patted Wendy’s hand. “I have a way.”
Wendy finally felt at ease after Jasper said that.
It had been proven that as long as Jasper said he had a plan, he would never disappoint her.
“One billion going twice. Are there any more bids?”
The emcee’s voice kept coming from the stage.
Everyone below the stage was quiet. No one expected the Hanks to win with an overwhelming advantage when they thought they would witness an intense battle between the giants.
Zayden cackled furiously as he pointed at Jasper. “Aren’t you extremely capable? Raise your paddle! Raise your paddle and continue the bid! I can kill you with just my money! You’re still too young to play with me!”
Almost immediately after Zayden said that, Jasper’s voice reverberated across the hall.
“1.2 billion.”
There was a hint of confidence that would not lose to others in his nonchalance.
Everyone widened their eyes to look over at him. When they thought Jasper was admitting defeat, he brashly called out 200 million to depress the price.
“Jasp, aren’t we letting this go?” Wendy asked in a small voice. She was confused about what Jasper was doing now.
“Since the Hanks are so rich, then we’ll make them pay a few hundred million extra,” Jasper said and smiled softly.
Wendy’s gaze looked dazed. She looked at him as if to tell him ‘You’re so mean’. She could not control the smile forming on her lips, and it was saying ‘I love this’.
Jasper looked at Zayden who had abruptly stopped cackling and was now looking like a duck that had been grabbed by the throat. A cold and calm smile then appeared on his lips.
The smile on Jasper’s lips looked like a blatant provocation to Zayden, and it was stomping completely on his dignity.
It was as if what he did just now was just clownery.
“1.2 billion! Going once!” The emcee’s voice sounded.
The corners of Zayden’s lips twitched. He smirked malevolently and said, “Don’t be so pleased with yourself. Do you think you can win with just 1.2 billion? Are you even qualified to compare wealth with the Hanks?”
