Chapter 2
Three days later, the auction commenced.
The host explained the rules. Bids would remain anonymous,
and the winner’s identity would only be disclosed at the
engagement banquet.
As the auction started, everyone hesitated, keeping their bid
paddles lowered.
After a brief silence, Agent No. 2 lifted their hand and
announced, “One dollar.”
The room quickly filled with the sound of snickers.
I verified the identity of Agent No. 2 backstage and then discreetly signaled my assistant with a hand gesture.
She acknowledged with a nod, prompting my agent to lift the
bid paddle.
“13 million dollars,” he announced.
The room burst into chaos, but the frenzy soon subsided.
After all, 13 million dollars was just a trifling sum for the
opportunity to marry me.
Chapter 2
The auction had now entered a fiercely competitive stage.
“15 million dollars,” announced the Carmichael family, our
business partners.
“16 million dollars,” countered the Wunne family, our long-
standing allies.
Once the bidding exceeded 32 million dollars, only five families
were left in the ongoing auction.
I directed my assistant to jump the price to 80 million dollars all
at once.
Only the Carmichael and Wunne families were able to keep up.
Both the Carmichael and Wunne families hold a similar status to
the Kimbere family and are well–acquainted with each other,
making them ideal choices for a marriage alliance.
When the bidding reached 150 million dollars, the Wunne family lowered their bid paddle.
I paused briefly to review the file on the eldest son of the
Carmichael, family.
He was polished, attractive, reliable, and respectable, with no
rumors surrounding him. He would be suitable.
However, the anticipated sound of the gavel did not occur.
Chapter 2
Puzzled, I glanced up and noticed a new bidder raise their card.
“Unlimited bidding.”
The auction room descended into chaos as I stared in shock at
the unexpected appearance of bidder No. 99.
The auctioneer was the first to regain composure and asked the agent, “Can you confirm with your principal that they intend to
continue outbidding everyone, regardless of the next offer?”
The agent for bidder No. 99 hastily spoke on the phone, then nodded emphatically.
“Yes, no matter the expense, my client is determined to win the
right to marry Ms. Kimbere.”
The venue buzzed with excitement.
“Who is this person? They’re nearly bidding 160 million dollars
and still placed unlimited bidding! Are they out of their minds?”
“I bet it’s the Carmichael family. They’ve always been second on
the wealth list and might be trying everything to marry into the richest family.”
“You’re behind the times! The latest ranking has the Kimbere
family in second place, the Carmichael family third, and the top
spot now belongs to…”
Chapter 2
Oliver Jombel.
The newly declared richest man.
The person behind bidder No. 99.
My fingers brushed against his photograph.
He exuded an air of enigma, with just a blurry profile picture on
his information page.
As I pondered this, Bryan Carmichael, seated in the neighboring box, suddenly leaped up in alarm and shouted, “260 million
dollars!”
That was the entire amount of liquid assets the Carmichael family had available.
This was a legitimate auction, requiring immediate transfer of funds once the gavel struck–the Carmichael family was truly putting everything on the line.
Would Oliver back down?
He had only recently become the wealthiest man, just a month
ago, and we had no previous dealings.
Rationally, it didn’t seem worth it for him to spend such a
fortune.
Under the scrutinizing eyes of the crowd, bidder No. 99
Chapter 2
confidently lifted his paddle.
“I’ll raise–320 million dollars.”
