The Unshackled King (by David Wu) novel Chapter 130

"Ten million dollars!"

"Fifteen million dollars!"

"Twenty million dollars!"

Stefan had expected the Phoenix Blood Grass to cause a stir. But he hadn't anticipated this level of frenzy.

Soon, bids had climbed to ninety million dollars.

A distinguished-looking woman in the second row raised her paddle, pushing the bid into nine figures.

"One hundred million dollars!"

Zoey jumped in, her jaw tight. "One hundred one million dollars!"

She didn't actually have that kind of money, but she didn't care. Youth was worth it. She'd figure it out—call her father, have him wire the funds.

The distinguished woman glanced at Zoey with a smirk. "One hundred ten million dollars!"

Zoey's mouth snapped shut. She wondered if she should bid again.

As she hesitated, others kept bidding.

"One hundred twenty million dollars!"

"One hundred thirty million dollars!"

Plenty of wealthy women in River City were ready to throw down serious cash for beauty. The bidding stayed fierce.

Soon, it approached two hundred million dollars.

At that price, fewer remained in the running. Two hundred million dollars wasn't pocket change.

Then a calm, melodic voice rang out, clear and steady.

"Two hundred million dollars!"

Everyone turned. It was Nina.

Many hesitated. Bjorn himself had treated her with deference. Clearly, she was someone important. No one wanted to risk offending a mystery.

Zoey's face went pale. She knew the Phoenix Blood Grass was out of reach. Even if Nina hadn't entered the bidding, two hundred million dollars was beyond her.

Just when it seemed Nina might win unchallenged, a lazy, seductive voice drawled from across the room.

"Two hundred fifty million dollars!"

No way. Not happening.

Even Bjorn, watching from backstage, could only shake his head with a wry smile. On one side was the heiress of the Reed family. On the other, the lady of the Spencer family and rotating chair of the Marevia Consortium. There was nothing he could say.

Stefan blinked, glancing left at Nina and right at Megan. The two were really going at it, raising the bid by fifty million dollars each time, as if money meant nothing.

He was caught right in the middle. For a moment, he wondered if he should just give up and let them both keep him.

Nina had just bid four hundred million dollars. Megan was about to raise again when a low voice cut in—a new bidder.

"Four hundred ten million dollars!"

The crowd stirred. Whoever had the nerve—and the funds—to challenge these two mysterious beauties was no ordinary player.

All eyes turned to a man in black sitting near the back. He wore a mask, clearly not wanting to be identified. Unfazed by the attention, he sat motionless.

Megan raised her bid without missing a beat.

"Four hundred fifty million dollars."

The masked man raised his bid again. He seemed determined to see this through.

"Four hundred sixty million dollars."

Stefan leaned in, quietly addressing both women. "Ladies, maybe don't focus on each other. There's a third player now. Set aside your differences and team up on this. Win the Phoenix Blood Grass together. I'll turn it into Youth-Keeping Elixirs and split them between you."