Chapter 411
The emcee glanced around the room and announced, “Four hundred thousand dollars going twice. Do I hear a higher bid?”
Tyler leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady on the stage. It seemed clear to everyone that no one else would challenge the bid.
The emcee appeared to agree. “Four hundred thousand dollars going thrice. Sol—”
Before she could finish, a bidding card suddenly shot up. “Four hundred twenty thousand dollars.”
All eyes turned sharply toward the new bidder.
Tyler, Linda, and Naomi exchanged looks of surprise. Olivia turned her head slowly—and her eyes widened in disbelief.
It was Claude.
For a moment, she thought she must be seeing things.
But Claude met everyone’s gaze without hesitation.
Tyler slowly turned his head to find Claude looking directly at him. A faint smile touched Tyler’s lips, acknowledging him from across the room.
Naomi, having not noticed Claude earlier, frowned in surprise at his sudden interest in the same item. Her smile faded.
Meanwhile, Claude shifted his gaze from Tyler to Olivia. Olivia clenched her hand, sensing the tension thickening in the air.
Tyler broke the silence, turning away and raising his own bidding card. “Four hundred fifty thousand dollars.”
The emcee was caught off guard by the sudden escalation. She had never witnessed such a late challenge in a bidding war, especially when four hundred thousand was already a high price for a locket.
But Claude was quick to respond. “Four hundred sixty thousand dollars.”
Tyler didn’t hesitate. “Four hundred eighty thousand dollars.”
Claude countered firmly. “Five hundred thousand dollars.”
Tyler continued, “Five hundred twenty thousand dollars.”
Claude raised the stakes again. “Five hundred forty thousand dollars.”
“Five hundred sixty thousand dollars.”
“Five hundred eighty thousand dollars.”
Naomi watched anxiously as Claude pressed on. It was clear this was no casual bid—he was doing this deliberately.
She glanced toward Tyler.
The crowd buzzed with excitement, enjoying the unexpected rivalry.
The emcee lightened the mood, “It seems Mr. Harris and Mr. Pearce really admire this locket. Mr. Pearce is Mr. Harris’s brother-in-law. Looks like there might be a little family meeting when this is over.”
Naomi looked at Tyler once more. She liked the locket, but she couldn’t understand why anyone would spend so much on it.