The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 135

Zoey lowered her voice. "Mr. Winter, Stefan's just an ex-con. He couldn't possibly have that kind of money—not him, not even Sara's branch of the Stewart family. He's deliberately messing with you."

Marcus nodded and stood up. "Hazel, that bid just now came from Stefan—an ex-con fresh out of prison. There's no way he has that kind of money. He's clearly just causing trouble. I demand you verify his funds—check if he's even qualified to bid."

Hazel didn't even acknowledge his complaint. She smiled politely, "Mr. Winter, everyone seated here tonight is qualified to bid. Whether the bidder can actually pay after winning is our concern, not yours. What you need to decide is—are you raising your bid or not?"

Hazel had already figured out Stefan wasn't ordinary. Earlier, backstage, she'd seen Nina speaking privately with Bjorn about the Quintessence Elixirs. Anyone who could talk to Bjorn like that was someone important.

And now Nina was sitting next to Stefan, chatting intimately. Even an idiot could guess Stefan had his own secrets. So she dismissed Marcus' demand without a second thought.

Marcus' face was purple. He swallowed his rage and raised his bid again.

"Six hundred seventy million dollars!"

Stefan's voice stayed calm.

"Seven hundred million dollars."

Nina covered her mouth, hiding a smile. She'd figured out his game—he was making Marcus pay through the nose, payback for causing trouble earlier.

Marcus glared at Stefan with pure hatred. "Seven hundred twenty million dollars!"

"Seven hundred thirty million dollars."

"Seven hundred forty million dollars."

"Seven hundred fifty million dollars."

Stefan kept raising in ten-million increments, his tone flat, like he was reciting numbers instead of spending fortunes.

Marcus couldn't take it anymore. He glared at Stefan, voice trembling with fury.

"Stefan, what the hell are you doing?"

Stefan glanced back lazily. "Bidding. Isn't that obvious? Auction rules—highest bidder wins. If you can't afford it, step aside."

"You son of a—" Marcus was practically steaming.

He was the second heiress of the Winter family—prominent, high-born. And now an ex-con just out of prison was mocking him for being broke?

Snickers echoed through the room.

He's vicious. That Winter kid must've really pissed him off.

But Marcus' face was black. His heart bled.

Without Stefan's interference, he would've gotten it for six hundred million dollars. Now he'd paid eight hundred million dollars—two hundred million extra.

And his elixir was the most expensive of them all—double the first one's four hundred million dollars.

No joy in victory. Only deeper hatred for Stefan.

If he knew Stefan was the one who'd supplied these elixirs, every cent he paid would go straight into Stefan's pocket. He'd probably keel over on the spot, coughing blood.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our final lot of the evening—the grand finale."

Hazel held up a clear vial. Inside was a pill as red as blood—the Meridian Opening Elixir.

All eyes were fixed on the stage.

Curious murmurs spread as they wondered if there was truly something more precious than Quintessence Elixirs.

In everyone's minds, Quintessence Elixirs were already priceless—miracle pills that could elevate a martial artist's cultivation and even break through to Grandmaster level.