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Chapter_67
Alyssa’s bid echoed through the hall like a declaration of war. Sixty million. The room fell into stunned silence for a brief moment. The others had only begun to wrap their heads around the thirty million starting price, and now Alyssa had jumped the price by an astonishing amount.
Jasper’s eyes flicked over to her, his expression a mix of surprise and something else—something that he quickly masked. He had no doubt that Alyssa wasn’t bidding out of impulse; this was calculated. She wasn’t the kind to waste money unless it was necessary, and right now, she was proving that this item was of great importance to her.
Landon, ever the opportunist, let out a low whistle. “Sixty million, huh? Bold. I like it,” he teased, his tone light but his eyes keenly observing the situation.
Alyssa didn’t look at him, nor did she acknowledge the murmurs of the crowd. Her focus was entirely on the chair—the Antique Rosewood Chair, the very piece she’d been eyeing from the moment it had been introduced. Her decision had already been made. This wasn’t just about winning; it was about making a statement.
Jasper’s jaw tightened, and he could feel his pulse quicken. The chair was beautiful, certainly. Its craftsmanship was unparalleled, and the legacy behind it made it an incredible addition to any collection. But it wasn’t just about the chair itself. It was about Alyssa’s intentions. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was bidding out of spite or something deeper—something more personal.
The auctioneer, still in shock from the high bid, cleared his throat and tried to maintain control. “Sixty million, once… twice… Are there any other bids?”
Liana, still reeling from the earlier loss with the porcelain chalices, was watching Alyssa with narrowed eyes. She couldn’t understand why Alyssa would go so far for something like this, but her instinct told her that Alyssa’s success at winning the chair would only further cement her place in this high-society game they were all playing.
“Seventy million,” a voice called out suddenly, breaking through the tension in the air.
All eyes turned toward the new bidder, a tall man in a sharp suit sitting near the back of the room. His face was unfamiliar to most of the crowd, and the confidence in his voice made it clear that he was not intimidated by Alyssa’s bold move.
Alyssa’s hand tightened around her paddle. Her eyes flashed with determination. “Eighty million,” she called out, her voice calm and resolute.
The room fell silent once again. Jasper’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected the bidding war to escalate so quickly, but Alyssa was showing no signs of backing down.
Landon leaned toward Jasper with a grin. “Looks like she’s playing hardball tonight.”
Jasper’s response was a cold, steady gaze. “She always does.”
Sophia, watching the exchange, felt a pang of unease. She had hoped for a more restrained evening, but Alyssa was taking control of the situation, and the stakes were rising higher with each bid.
Liana, still clinging to her hopes of impressing Jasper, fidgeted in her seat. She couldn’t stand the idea that Alyssa might win something this valuable, especially after everything that had transpired between them. “Why would she do this?” Liana muttered under her breath. “It’s just a chair.”
But for Alyssa, it was never just a chair.