Trouble in Paradise

The auctioneer initially thought starting the bid at zero would ignite a frenzy in the auction room, given that this was a plot of land worth over 100 million dollars.

But the moment he announced the starting price, the entire venue fell into an eerie silence.

With Nicholas present, no one dared to covet the land. Yet, the two individuals beside him his ex-wife and his former trusted secretary-left everyone guessing which side he would take. The crowd sharpened their gaze, ready to enjoy the spectacle.

The auctioneer, sweating profusely, banged his gavel heavily and called out again, "Starting price, zero dollars! Bidding is now open! Please make your offer."

Beth maintained a composed posture, showing no intention of bidding. Seeing this, I prepared to raise my paddle.

But before I could, Nicholas reached out and firmly grasped my hand. In the next moment, guided by his movement, my hand was lifted high into the air, drawing everyone's attention. With a faint smile, Nicholas enunciated, "100 thousand."

The room fell silent for a full ten seconds before someone in the back burst into laughter, triggering a wave of laughter throughout the venue.

"Please maintain order! Please stay quiet!"

The auctioneer, who usually cherished his gavel, now banged on anything within reach, disregarding decorum. If the land were sold for 100 thousand dollars today, it would be a humiliating stain on his career.

An auctioneer's reputation depends on the final sale price of their lots. If word of this event spread, his career might very well come to an end.

When the room finally quieted, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked cautiously, "Mr. Hawk, did you perhaps make a mistake?"

To his surprise, Nicholas calmly repeated words similar to Beth's earlier. "This land originally belonged to the Jones family. I'm only willing to bid 100 thousand for it-not a cent more."

Although his voice was not loud, it firmly conveyed his stance. The spectators, who had been waiting to see how things would unfold, instantly understood where he stood.

He was holding his ex-wife's hand and declared that the land belonged to the Jones family.

With the powerful Hawk family involved, his words carried weight. If he said it belonged to someone, then it did. If he said not a cent more, it meant no one should dare to outbid, not even by a cent to do so would be to openly oppose the Hawk family.

Faced with such circumstances, who would dare challenge him? Only fools would.

The attendees were all shrewd players, and in the front row, Nelson was so infuriated he was pounding his chest, causing a noticeable stir.

Yasmine seized the opportunity to remind the auctioneer, "Aren't you going to call it?"

The auctioneer, forcing himself to speak, announced, "100 thousand dollars, going once..."

"Hurry and close it already!" someone shouted to add fuel to the fire.

"100 thousand dollars, going twice..."

Nicholas held onto my hand, leaning in slightly as he whispered, "I said I'd get it for 100 thousand, and that's exactly what I'll do."

His lips brushed against the back of my hand in a gentle kiss, his gaze tender. "Ari, are you satisfied with my performance?"

Blushing deeply, I tried to pull my

hand away, but his firm grip left me

no choice but to feel the warmth of bis dark

his palm and the intensity innoveldrama

eyes.

"A hundred thousand dollars, going thri..."

"No! I said no!"

Nelson, disregarding all pretenses, struggled to stand up from his wheelchair.

To everyone's surprise, it seemed that Nicholas' presence had somehow cured him as if Nicholas had performed a miracle on Nelson's condition.