Chapter 819

A company couId boast a sparkling reputation, and marketing could inflate its market value, but a hefty bank balance was something else entirely-that was tangible wealth.

Did Daniela actually have that kind of fortune?

What began as ridicule ended with the audience staring at her in admiration.

The auctioneer, practically vibrating with anticipation, nearly leapt from the stage when the bidding soared to two hundred million.

Her eyes blazed with excitement, and her grip on the microphone was so tight her knuckles whitened."Incredible! Thank you, Ms. Harper. The current bid stands at two hundred million! Is anyone willing to go higher?" With her commission tied to the sale, every extra million was a victory, and tonight's dizzying price would be a jewel in her career.

Her voice trembled with enthusiasm. "We're at two hundred million! Who'd like to raise the stakes? MMr.Vance?"

Mr.Vance offered only a rueful shake of his head.

"Mr. Barton, any interest in going higher?" The auctioneer pressed, hope flickering in her gaze.

Mr. Barton declined as well, his lips pressed into a polite line.

"And Mr. Cruz? You've been quite active this evening.Shall we make it two hundred and ten million?"

Mr. Cruz gave a helpless shrug and shook his head,conceding the field.

Finally, the auctioneer turned to Hamilton, eyes glinting with challenge. "Mr. McCoy,these cufflinks would be the crown jewel of your collection. Care to make another bid?" Hamilton's secretary lowered his voice and insisted,"Sir, the market value on those cufflinks caps out at two hundred million, tops. Daniela's already pushed it to the limit. If you're truly set on owning them, I wouldn't go past two hundred and thirty million at most."

.Left.to his own judgment, the secretary would reckon two hundred million was through the roof.

No matter how rare or unique, they were still just cufflinks-more accessory than asset, hardly essential.

Unless someone had a peculiar obsession with cufflinks, who actually noticed what style adorned a suit sleeve?

For the secretary, and honestly, for most people,cufflinks were a trivial detail-a little flourish if you had them, nothing missed if you didn't.

Two hundred million for such a minor detail felt like highway robbery. With visible hesitation, the secretary mentioned the two hundred thirty million figure, his words barely steady.

Hamilton, however, didn't flinch. As the auctioneer fixed him with an expectant look, he nonchalantly raised his paddle.

The auctioneer beamed, her voice brightening."Thank you, Mr. McCoy. The bidis now two hundred and ten million, Mr. McCoy leads at two-ten!"

She pivoted back to Daniela with anticipation. "Ms.Harper, do you wish to raise your bid?"

Without missing a beat, Daniela lifted her paddle,her tone relaxed and unhurried. "Two hundred and fifty million."

The moment her voice faded out, a hush fell over the hall.

All eyes snapped to Daniela, reeling from the shock.

Even the auctioneer faltered, her composure slipping for a split second. Struggling to keep her poise, the auctioneer managed a smile and confirmed. "Ms. Harper, did I hear you correctly/? Two hundred and fifty million?"

Daniela offered a brief, decisive nod.

The auctioneer's eyes darted with disbelief. In all her years, she had never seen a bid climb so high.

Thrilled and a little breathless, she swiveled to Hamilton and inquired, "Mr. McCoy, the current bid stands at two hundred and fifty million. Would you care to continue?"

Hamilton's secretary stared at Daniela like she'd lost her mind. Leaning in to Hamilton, he murmured, "Sir,those cufflinks aren't worth anything close to this.Maybe it's time to let them go."

Meanwhile, the auctioneer pressed on with relentless enthusiasm, her voice echoing through the room as every eye fixed upon Hamilton.

The auction had long since ceased to be about cufflinks; now, it was an all-out clash of egos and fortunes between Daniela and Hamilton.

Hamilton straightened, meeting Daniela's gaze with.a challenging glint. "Two hundred and sixty million."

Before the auctioneer could even swing back to Daniela, the latter declared, "Three hundred million."

A stunned hush rippled through the room.

This time, the auctioneer didn't dare look at Daniela.Instead, she turned, bewildered, to the financial auditor for confirmation.

The figure was staggering-three hundred million,and not a trace of hesitation. What the hell was happening?

Was Daniela truly that wealthy, or was this some elaborate bluff?

The financial auditor maintained a poised expression,quietly nodding at the auctioneer.

Every eye in the room followed the subtle exchange.

The stunned hush broke in an instant as the crowd exploded with excitement.

"Holy hell, Daniela's loaded!"

"She's not just rich-she's drowning in money!"

"That's not just wealth-she just dropped three hundred million in cold, hard cash!"

"Let's see if Hamilton has the guts to keep bidding.This is the kind of drama I live for!"

"If Hamilton bows out now, he's admitting defeat to Daniela. Imagine-the current richest man losing to the former champion. What would that even mean?"

"It means Daniela's still at the top of her game!"

The chatter rippled through the room, each remark sharper than the last. Hamilton couldn't tune out their voices-every word only fueled the tension.

The secretary leaned in, voice low and urgent. "Mr.McCoy, ignore them. None of them are putting up three hundred million themselves. These cufflinks aren't worth that much. You've never made a losing deal."

A shadow crossed Hamilton's face.

For years, he'd been untouchable-no one had ever pushed him to a loss.

But everything changed the moment Daniela stepped into the scene.

He'd never faced such fearless opposition at an auction-until tonight.

"Three hundred and ten million!" Hamilton's voice cut through the noise, his paddle raised.

Before the secretary could even sigh, another crisp,unwavering voice sliced through the air.

"Three hundred and fifty million."