Chapter 143 Necklace And Gown
Before Akio said anything, Yvette spoke up. “Donald, what’s the meaning of this? Don’t you know who Mr. Ono is? It doesn’t matter how much money you have. Mr. Ono is Yatran royalty! A lowly peasant like you can never compare with someone as prestigious as him! So watch yourself, or you’re going to regret it!”
Irene, too, barked, “That’s right! Mr. Ono is an honored guest from Yartran. How dare you treat him with such impertinence? You’re embarrassing all of us here!”
If there was anything Donald hated, it was sycophantic people like them. He glanced at the two women. “You’re blindly worshipping everything foreign while looking down on your own people. Say another word like this and perish.”
His gaze was piercing and cold, lethal like a blade out of its sheath.
It was Akio who broke the silence. “Sit down,” he told the two women before directing his gaze at Sixten. “Carry on.”
Yvette and Irene sat down after sending twin glares at Donald.
Meanwhile, Jennifer was looking at the young man with mixed feelings. She could not understand why he chose to oppose Akio Ono tonight.
Though Lana and the rest wanted to persuade Donald into relenting, they were somehow apprehensive to do so.
Reina could tell that Donald was not in a very good mood. “It’s okay, Donald. I’m here for you no matter what you do,” she said gently.
“Thanks, but I know what I’m doing,” Donald said simply.
A few more lots later, it was finally time for the grand finale.
“I think everyone should know what’s coming up,” Sixten announced. “The final lot is a necklace and gown personally designed by internationally renowned fashion legend – Ms. Lilith Snowden. That’s right, the necklace and gown are none other than Eternal Love and A Midsummer Night’s Dream!”
Two slender girls came out carrying the sapphire blue gown and the necklace made from Corleon meteorites.
The large screen behind the stage started showing photos of the two items, taken from every angle so that the guests could see how flawless the designer pieces were.
“Those two belonged to you, didn’t they?” Shannon asked Jennifer. “Why are you selling them?”
“It wasn’t me. My good-for-nothing brother stole them from me.”
“Do you really not know who gifted them to you?”
Jennifer shook her head. “I really haven’t the faintest clue.”
Shannon studied the other’s face for several long moments. Deciding that Jennifer was not lying, she stopped probing.
“Pollerton Commerce obtained these two items by a stroke of luck. We thought about it for a long time and decided to put them up for auction,” Sixten continued on the stage. “I hereby announce the official bidding of these two items. They must be bid together. The opening bid is nineteen million with every bid increment of at least a million.”
Jim had already given him the heads up, so Sixten knew that Akio liked the necklace and gown and intended to buy them as a gift for the royal family’s princess. Sixten was also aware that Akio was prepared to pay up to twenty million for the two pieces, but no higher. This was why Sixten had set the opening bid at nineteen million, knowing full well that no one would dare to outbid Akio once the man placed his bid.
“I’m really quite fond of these two items, and I hope to gift them to the emperor’s daughter. Twenty million is what I’ll pay. I hope everyone here could kindly allow me to buy them. Your kindness will be remembered and much appreciated.” Akio stood and addressed the crowd in a sincere tone. “I was planning on buying them from Pollerton Commerce in private, but I was too late. They were already listed as auctionable items. It would be terrible of me to demand the auction to be canceled since it would affect the organizer.” Assuming his speech had sufficiently deterred anyone else who wanted to bid on the items, Akio sat down with a satisfied air.
Sixten started to close the bid, but his gaze drifted to land on Donald. “Twenty million, going once, going twice…”
No one moved to place their bid. Even Rupert kept quiet this time.
As Sixten had guessed, Donald, who was twirling the silver fork with his fingers, spoke once again. “Thirty million.”
Akio abruptly slammed a fist on the table. “How dare you! Are you going up against me?”
Donald nodded seriously. “That’s right.”
Everyone gaped, wondering if Donald had a death wish. Even if he has something to say against Akio, he can’t just say it directly to Akio’s face!
“Do you have a grudge against me?” Akio asked dubiously.
Donald ignored him and looked at the auctioneer instead. “Sixten, are you deaf? I just placed a bid of thirty million.”
Sixten gave an enigmatic smile that was also filled with sarcasm. “Thirty million, going once…”
