Chapter 209
Chapter 209 Come On, Keep Raising Your Paddle!
Anthony frowned slightly. "Ms. Quinn, everything follows an order. They're ahead, and you're behind. Why should you cut in line?"
Ruby responded with irritation, "Mr. Anthony, I want them to make way for me. Otherwise, it feels wrong!"
He frowned, pausing briefly before saying sternly, "Enough! Quit making a fuss. This isn't your home; no one here will pamper you. Besides, they're guests in the VIP Zone-you can't insist on going first." Still annoyed, she demanded, "Then I want a VIP ticket too!"
Anthony shook his head. "Ms. Quinn, the Brookhaven Martial Alliance doesn't have the privilege of VIP seating. I can't help you.
"Remember, everyone here must follow the auction rules. The Nevilles won't ignore breaches."
"Hmph!" Ruby stamped her foot in anger, glaring at Robin and his group. "Why do they get to be in the VIP Zone?"
"Ms. Quinn, this is the final warning. Don't cause trouble for your Brookhaven Martial Alliance," Anthony warned, then walked away, with two Neville disciples following close behind Robin.
Though uncomfortable, Ruby knew the Brookhaven Martial Alliance was far outmatched by the Nevilles. Anthony's word was final.
As Robin, Daphne, and Rita entered the second floor of Rosewood, they took their seats in the VIP Zone.
Shortly after, Ruby settled into Zone One.
Beside her were Zachary, Alice, and Vera, who could see Robin and the others from their seats.
Alice glanced angrily at Robin and whispered, "That con artist! He's only getting close to Ms. West to secure a place in Harmonfield's elite circles. Once this auction ends, I'll set Ms. West straight!" Zachary nodded thoughtfully. "I admire him for tricking clever women like Shirley and Daphne!"
Vera chuckled. "But, Mr. Gill, if people like you and Alice can see through Robin, then why wouldn't Daphne and Shirley?"
"You're right." Zachary and Alice nodded solemnly. "Why would they be with him if they know he's a fraud?"
Suddenly, Alice stood up, pulling Vera toward the VIP Zone.
"Alice, what are you doing?" Vera looked at the angry Alice in confusion.
Alice clenched her teeth. "Ms. West is my idol. I need to expose Robin's true nature to her!"
Vera pulled her arm free. "Don't you see the Nevilles' guards there? If you don't want trouble, just sit down.
"Remember, starting a scene here could drag your family into problems.
"If you offend the martial arts families, you won't even have a chance to beg for mercy!"
Zachary added. "Alice, calm down-the auction's beginning. I'm hoping to bid on an engagement gift for you."
Reluctantly, Alice returned to her seat, but not before glaring at Robin.
Vera glanced toward him and sent a quick message with a lipstick emoji, "Robin, it's my birthday in three days. Get me something nice!" Robin's reply came with a pig emoji.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Estoreed's Rosewood Prestige Auction!"
Zaid Neville, the auction manager of the Nevilles' Auction House, officially started the event.
He introduced the auction's structure-two halves, with a short intermission.
In the first half of the event, they planned to auction luxury items like antiques and trendy jewelry.
During the break, attendees could either engage in their activities or request special performances from the organizing committee.
For instance, some young people enjoyed taking this chance to publicly declare their feelings, propose marriage, or capture personal moments after the luxury items were auctioned off.
In the second half, valuable herbs and pills would be auctioned.
After a quick overview of the auction format, Zaid moved on to the luxury jewelry segment.
The initial item up for bid was the latest trendy ring of the year-Blossom Rain.
This design was created by the well-known designer, Dylan Westfield, from Sakurania.
A staff member presented Blossom Rain, highlighting it under the colorful stage lights, immediately attracting the attention of the female attendees.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the starting price for the Blossom Rain ring is five million!" Zaid announced.
As his words faded, relaxed chatter filled the room.
This fashionable diamond ring wasn't generating much excitement, serving only as a warm-up for the auction.
Zachary listened closely as the auctioneer described the Blossom Rain diamond ring, his eyes brightening.
He turned to Alice and said with enthusiasm, "Alice, I'm going to bid on this Blossom Rain as a proposal gift for you! Once I win it, I'll ask the committee if I can propose during the intermission."
Alice wasn't impressed. She thought that a ring starting at only five million would be embarrassing for a proposal. She hesitated to respond.
Noticing her displeasure, Zachary tried to reassure her. "Alice, this ring is named Blossom Rain-what a lovely name! And it's crafted by a talented designer.
"I want this first item of the night to be a meaningful proposal ring, regardless of its worth."
"Thirty million!" Just as Zachary finished speaking, Robin shouted from the VIP Zone.
He aimed to bid that amount so he could give the ring directly to Vera, hoping she would stop messaging him so much.
After Robin's bid, the room fell silent as everyone wondered who had spoken.
This ring was only worth about five to six million on the market, and even if it was the latest design, it wasn't worth 30 million. When people realized the bid came from the VIP Zone, no one dared to comment further.
The wealthy could act whatever they liked.
Once Alice realized Robin was the one bidding, she became excited. "Mr. Gill, I want this ring! You have to win it!
Ruby overheard their conversation and smirked at Alice.
However, Alice ignored Ruby's mockery and focused on winning the Blossom Rain diamond ring, determined to outbid Robin. When Zachary heard Robin's 30 million bid, he chose not to compete.
The price seemed outrageous for a ring of that value.
Noticing Zachary's hesitation, Alice urged him, "Hurry up and raise your paddle! If you don't, Robin will take it!"
"Blossom Rain, 30 million, once! 30 million, twice!" the auctioneer called out.
Zachary hesitated, feeling frustrated. He hadn't expected a ring worth five to six million to suddenly jump to 30 million.
If he bought one at a jewelry store, he could get several for that price. He suspected Robin did it on purpose.
"Are you going to bid or not?" Alice snapped, her patience wearing thin. "You're not showing any sincerity in proposing to me!" Zachary was at a loss for words.
"Is there anyone else bidding?" the auctioneer asked.
"If you don't bid now, I won't accept your proposal!" Alice insisted, visibly annoyed.
"Fine," Zachary decided, raising his paddle with determination. "Thirty five million!"
The venue once again fell into silence.
What was happening tonight?
The bidding for such a small item was incredibly intense right from the beginning. It was surprising to see people competing over a simple diamond ring.
What had started as a calm atmosphere suddenly turned dramatic.
As soon as Zachary finished his sentence, Robin casually declared, "Forty million!"
The crowd erupted in chaos.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.
Even Zaid was taken aback as he looked over to the VIP Zone.
Daphne turned her attention to Robin, then glanced at Zachary in Zone One. She instantly pieced things together.
If Robin's first bid aimed to win Blossom Rain outright, his second bid had a different purpose he wanted to make Zachary suffer a loss.
When Zachary heard Robin's 40 million bid, his mind was racing.
This guy is out of his mind!
Knowing the ring was only worth five million, Robin still wanted to offer 40 million for it.
It wasn't a rare piece, just a new design. Was it worth such a high bid?
"Alice, if we keep bidding, this is getting a bit ridiculous," Zachary said.
Alice, however, sneered and insisted, "No! We have to compete with Robin! I want to see how far he'll go!"
Vera glanced at Robin in the VIP Zone, a smirk playing on her lips.
Meanwhile, Robin leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, clearly enjoying the game he was playing with Zachary.
Under Alice's urging, Zachary felt regret wash over him for speaking up.
He never expected Robin to bid so confidently as if price didn't matter to him at all.
Suddenly, it dawned on him that Robin must be doing this intentionally.
"Alice, he must know we're after Blossom Rain, so he's trying to mess with us. We can't fall for it!"
Alice looked at Robin with disdain and scoffed. "Hmph! He probably knows you want to propose to me, and that's why he's getting in the way!"
She then urged, "Mr. Gill, even if it costs us, we can't let Robin win! Keep bidding! Go as high as you can!"
With that, she grabbed Zachary's arm and raised the paddle, shouting, "Fifty million!"
"Oh my gosh! What is happening today?" The guests gasped in shock.
"Rich people are so willful!"
"Why do they spend money so carelessly? What's the point of such high bids?"
"Eighty million!" Robin said lazily, raising his paddle while still keeping his eyes closed.
"That's insane!"
Guests in other zones of the auction house stood up, excitement written on their faces as they looked toward the VIP Zone and Zone One.
The bidding was turning out to be more thrilling than the items themselves. Someone even cheered at Zachary, "Come on, keep raising your paddle!"