Chapter 80
80 The Bidding Trap
Aubrey’s POV
In Alpha Henry’s stunned gaze. I yanked off the jacket he’d draped over my shoulders and stood tall without a hint of fear.
If 1 stmt hiding just to avoid their stares, then I’ve already lost.
“Alpha Henry, you were born an Alpha, so maybe you think that Omegas like me are supposed to retreat when faced with hostility. But I’m telling you–no!”
They’re the ones who should feel ashamed, not me! One day, I’ll make those arrogant bastards learn how to treat a female Omega with real respect and decency!”
Alpha Henry’s eyes widened slightly, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow. In the end, he said nothing- just silently took back his jacket.
I didn’t bother guessing what he was thinking. He probably thought I was talking big. An Omega with no wolf? What right did I have to challenge the entrenched hierarchy of werewolf society?
But I would do it.
“We absolutely will!” Ella affirmed inside me. At least my wolf had complete faith in me–and gave me the courage to keep fighting.
Soon, guests trickled in one after another. Caesar arrived as well. Even though he wore a mask, I recognized him immediately–Alpha Mateo, my planted spy, had already described Caesar’s outfit to me earlier today.
Not long after, the auction officially began. The emcee stepped up and began introducing each item one by
one.
When it was time for the plot of land to go up for sale, I subtly turned toward Caesar. His hand instantly clenched the bidding paddle.
Perfect. The fish had taken the bait.
I smiled.
Then the host announced, “Because the seller is eager to close the deal, the starting price is 800 million. Minimum bid increment is 10 million. Bidding begins!”
A lot of people were interested in that land. Even without the rumor Alpha Mateo passed along to Caesar, the plot was in a great location with stunning scenery. Anyone who had surveyed it would think it was a solid investment.
The competition heated up quickly, with the price jumping to a billion in no time.
At auctions like this, an Omega like me wasn’t allowed to bid. I gave Alpha Henry a gentle nudge, about to ask for his help, but he glanced at me once–and raised his paddle.
“One point five billion.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. The Miguel family had deep pockets, but weren’t they being a bit reckless? Raising the bid by 500 million right off the bat?
Few dared to compete with an Alpha. Most lowered their paddles – except Caesar, who grit his teeth and said. “One point five five billion”
I scoffed.
Alpha Henry raised his paddle again. “Two billion.”
I froze. I hadn’t even asked him to bid again. Did he already figure something out?
Caesar didn’t back down. “Two point two billion.“.
Henry gave him a sidelong glance, then calmly called out, “Two point five billion.”
Caesar narrowed his eyes. “Two point eight billion!”
“Three billion,” Henry said lazily, like he was ordering coffee instead of bidding.
Excitement rippled through the crowd. There was nothing more exhilarating than massive sums of money changing hands.
This time, Caesar hesitated. But I didn’t believe he would back off that easily.
Sure enough, a moment later, he barked, “Three point five billion!”
“Four billion,” Henry followed up immediately.
“Four point three billion!” Caesar snapped.
“Four point five billion,” Henry drawled, lifting his paddle with the same casual ease.
Four point five billion! That was far beyond the land’s actual value. I grabbed Alpha Henry’s hand and whispered, “That’s enough.”
If this kept going, we’d lose control of the situation. I never actually wanted to win the land–I just wanted to bankrupt the Lynn family! Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Fɪndηovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
Even with the mask on, I could sense Caesar’s exasperation.
He paused for quite a while before finally raising his paddle. “Four point eight billion!”
Henry frowned slightly, as if he still wanted to raise again. I immediately wrapped my arms around his hand. “Don’t go higher.”
That much money was enough to ruin the Lynn family. Any more and I was afraid Caesar would back out. After all, if not for the rumored danger, the land itself was worth around two billion. But spending an extra 2.8 billion for the chance to improve the family’s bloodline? That, I was confident the Lynn family would still go for. Any more than that, though, might scare them off.
Thankfully, Alpha Henry relented. He nodded slowly and muttered, “Alright. I agree–it’s not worth that
much.”
Caesar was breathing hard now, chest heaving. That one comment had probably nearly made him cough up blood!
The host, snapping out of his/stunned daze, shakily lifted the small gavel. He didn’t even bother repeating, the price.