James' eyes bulged, a silent "Fifty Billion?!" escaping his lips.
Chloe, however, remained unmoved. "Honestly, James, Christopher being the wealthiest among us is hardly breaking news," she drawled, crossing her arms and closing her eyes as if bored by the entire spectacle.
A ripple of raised eyebrows went through the others, but they wisely kept their thoughts to themselves.
"Fifty Billion! Going once!" Britney's voice echoed, her gaze sweeping across the stunned faces.
'How on earth did this boy become richer than his father?!' Ethan mused, a knot of mild confusion tightening in his brow.
"Sixty Billion!!!"
The sudden shout sliced through the silence, snapping everyone's attention towards the source. All eyes swiveled to Chaya, a collective gasp of shock and surprise rippling through the hall.
"Young man," Chaya declared, a confident smirk playing on her lips as she stared pointedly at Christopher's back, "you'd best not trifle with me. I suggest you back down."
'This girl...' Murphy sighed inwardly, shaking her head with a hint of weary amusement.
"Young girl," Christopher responded, turning his head slightly to look at her over his shoulder, his voice laced with an icy calm. "Even your father wouldn't dare utter such words in my presence."
'Huh? Did he know my father?' A frown creased Chaya's forehead, a flicker of confusion crossing her features. The next moment, her expression hardened. 'No! This fool dared to insult my father!'
With a sharp, decisive movement, she slammed her palm onto the table, her voice rising in a furious yell. "Do you honestly believe I'll let you have this?! Do you?!"
Christopher merely smirked, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "And what exactly can you do about it?" he asked, his tone laced with playful teasing.
"You!" Chaya spun towards the visibly startled Britney. "I am changing my bid! I am now bidding One Hundred Billion!!!"
A stunned silence descended upon the auction hall, the sheer audacity of her words hanging heavy in the air. Even the security guards stationed at the doors turned their heads, their expressions mirroring the disbelief of the attendees.
'Who in the world is this woman?!' The question echoed in the minds of everyone present.
"How... quaint," Christopher remarked, his smile widening slightly. "I confess, I anticipated a more substantial increase."
"Increase it?" Chaya stammered, momentarily rendered speechless.
"You see," Christopher continued, his voice regaining its usual calm cadence, "if your target was merely me, I might have been inclined to concede. However, this necklace holds a far greater significance. It belonged to my mother, and in my eyes, she is a treasure beyond compare. And surely, a treasure such as her deserves to be adorned with nothing less than the most exquisite treasures, wouldn't you agree?"
Amara, who had been observing the exchange with a serene smile, now gazed at her son with open affection. His words alone were enough to fill her with warmth. "Don't fret, my dear," she interjected gently. "You can let her have it. The price has already escalated beyond reason."
Katherine and Adonis exchanged a knowing glance, a subtle shake of their heads passing between them. They understood the depth of their brother's feelings better than anyone.
"I cannot do that, Mother," Christopher replied, his gaze unwavering. "Besides, if I cannot even secure this for you today, how can I truly call myself your son?"
The entire hall watched in rapt silence as Christopher raised his hand, his voice ringing out with clear authority. "Five Hundred Billion."
"....."
"...?!!!"
A collective gasp swept through the room, punctuated by a sharp thud. Britney's microphone had slipped from her suddenly nerveless fingers and clattered to the floor.
Not only Britney, but Alex, the four prominent family heads , and indeed every single attendee, froze in utter horror. The sheer magnitude of the sum Christopher had just uttered hung in the air, a tangible wave of shock washing over them.
__
"Who exactly is this young man?"
In a luxurious, high-rise office overlooking the city, a distinguished figure turned his gaze towards an elderly woman, the renowned owner of Sky Auction.
"I... I don't know, Supreme Leon," the old woman stammered, her voice still laced with disbelief.
"Hmm... intriguing," a woman with an air of sophisticated intrigue murmured, swirling the ruby liquid in her wine glass.
"If I may inquire, why the reluctance to reveal yourselves?" Mrs sky asked.
"Mrs. Sky." Leon replied, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Alex is present. Should he recognize us, it would undoubtedly ignite a conflict that benefits no one."
"Forgive my ignorance, but aren't the four masters considered allies, all under your leadership as the new Supreme?" Mrs sky questioned, her gaze sharp.
"That is the prevailing perception... Let us not dwell on this matter. Our focus should remain on the unfolding events at the auction," Leon stated flatly, his tone brooking no further discussion.
"Indeed," Mrs Sky nodded quickly, eager to steer the conversation back to safer territory.
"I have heard that this young man declined an invitation to join Alex's team," Electra suddenly revealed, turning her attention back to Leon. "Should we perhaps... approach him?"
"We would likely receive the same negative response. This individual possesses an extraordinary background. He is, after all, a scion of the esteemed Valhalla family. However, I am certain his influence extends beyond mere lineage. We must conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the true extent of his capabilities," Leon concluded thoughtfully.
___
"Five Hundred Billion! Going once!"
Britney's voice, though slightly shaky, echoed through the hall as she retrieved her microphone.
Silence. A heavy, almost oppressive silence.
'Five Hundred Billion?! If I dare to exceed One Hundred Billion, my father will undoubtedly have my head! Should I simply concede and allow this arrogant upstart to claim the beautiful pearl?!' Chaya's thoughts raced, her fists clenched tightly in frustration.
"Five Hundred Billion, going twice!"
Britney held her breath, scanning the room for any sign of a counter-offer. But the hall remained as still and silent as a graveyard.
"Sold! To Master Christopher!" she finally announced, her voice betraying a hint of awe. "Master Christopher, would you care to—"
"Yes."
Christopher's single word cut her off. He rose gracefully from his seat, and every eye in the room followed his movements as he approached Britney, who now held out the portable payment terminal. With a swift, almost casual gesture, Christopher swiped his card, transferring the staggering sum of Five Hundred Billion in a single transaction.
'This must be the privilege afforded by a Supreme card,' Britney mused, her mind still reeling from the astronomical figure. Christopher walked past her, his gaze already fixed on the display case. He opened it with a gentle reverence and carefully lifted the magnificent necklace.
Under the captivated and astonished gaze of everyone present, he walked towards Amara, a tender smile gracing his lips.
"Mother," he began, his voice soft yet carrying, "would I have the honor of adorning you with this?"
Amara's face softened into a loving smile. She gracefully swept her hair to the side, revealing the delicate curve of her neck. A warm smile bloomed on Christopher's face as he bent down, his movements gentle and deliberate, and fastened the necklace around her neck.
A wave of undisguised envy rippled through the women seated nearby, their gazes fixed on the radiant mother and son.
"It looks absolutely exquisite on you," Christopher murmured, straightening up.
Amara rose and enveloped him in a warm, motherly embrace.
"Promise me, you won't bid on the next item," she whispered in his ear, her voice filled with gentle concern.
"This necklace is beautiful, my dear, but you mustn't spend money as if it were mere paper. If you truly wish, you could donate such a sum, or perhaps even allow your father to utilize it within the company," she added softly.
Christopher gently patted his mother's back and nodded. "Alright, Mother... I promise. I won't bid on the next item, but I will be bidding on the last."
"That is perfectly acceptable," she replied, stepping back from the embrace. "Now, go and take your seat."
Christopher nodded, returning to his chair under the unwavering scrutiny of the room. All eyes remained fixed on Amara and Christopher, the unspoken awe palpable in the air.
"He just spent Five Hundred Billion on his mother," someone muttered, their voice hushed with disbelief. "This... this transcends mere filial love."