Chapter 175: The Fifty Million Bid

Immediately after leaving those cold words behind, Malrik turned around and strode away without looking back.

His face was dark enough to drip water.

Although he had managed to preserve the banquet itself...

Everyone knew.

Today’s confrontation had completely ruined the image he wanted to establish.

The moment Malrik disappeared into the crowd...

Maya finally relaxed.

Only then did she realize...

She was still holding Lucas’s hand.

Her fingers remained tightly intertwined with his.

She slowly lifted her head.

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Maya’s beautiful eyes were filled with emotions she couldn’t even begin to describe.

Admiration.

Gratitude.

Relief.

And...

A tenderness that grew deeper every time she looked at him.

The man standing before her had protected her in front of hundreds of influential guests.

He had publicly challenged the Malrik.

He had given her the courage to reject the fate everyone else had arranged for her.

Most importantly...

He had chosen her.

Without hesitation.

Lucas smiled softly.

"The banquet is about to begin."

"We should head inside."

He gently squeezed her hand before finally letting go.

"You’ll be attending it too."

Maya nodded absentmindedly.

Her gaze never really left Lucas.

Even as they began walking...

She found herself secretly stealing glances at him every few seconds.

The more she looked...

The more attractive he seemed.

She couldn’t understand how someone could remain so calm after shaking the entire banquet with a two-billion-dollar transfer.

It was as though nothing that had just happened was worth mentioning.

That confidence...

Made her heart beat even faster.

A short distance away...

Mason was still standing where Lucas had left him.

He had witnessed the entire scene from beginning to end.

Even now...

He still hadn’t completely recovered from the shock.

Seeing Lucas approaching, Mason hurried over.

"Chairman Lucas."

"The opening ceremony is almost finished."

"The banquet should officially begin any minute now."

Lucas nodded.

"Let’s pick someone up first."

Without further explanation...

The group headed toward Bellagio Grand’s private VIP lounge.

Outside the room...

Lucas knocked gently.

Knock.

Knock.

A few seconds later...

The door slowly opened.

Before anyone inside could even be seen...

A graceful figure stepped out.

Gold Pantheress had already put on her oversized black sunglasses.

Combined with the casual clothes she had changed into earlier...

It would have been difficult for an ordinary person to recognize the internationally famous singer standing before them.

The moment she stepped outside...

She immediately noticed the unfamiliar faces standing beside Lucas.

Especially...

Maya.

Gold paused for a brief moment before politely nodding.

"Hello."

Maya smiled politely in return.

"Hello."

Neither woman knew the other’s identity.

To Maya...

She was simply another beautiful woman accompanying Lucas.

To Gold...

Maya looked like someone very close to Lucas.

After exchanging greetings...

The group walked together toward the banquet hall.

Soon...

They entered one of the exclusive VIP seating areas reserved for Bellagio Grand’s most distinguished guests.

Everyone gradually took their seats.

Lucas naturally sat in the middle.

Gold sat quietly on his right.

Maya unconsciously chose the seat on his left.

The arrangement immediately attracted countless curious glances from nearby guests.

Even without seeing Gold’s face...

Her elegant figure and extraordinary aura alone were enough to turn heads.

Meanwhile...

Maya herself was already one of Silvermont’s most famous beauties.

Now...

Lucas was sitting comfortably between two breathtaking women.

Countless men couldn’t help looking over with undisguised envy.

Maya, however, wasn’t paying attention to anyone else.

She couldn’t understand something.

After everything that had happened...

Why was Lucas still willing to attend a banquet hosted by Malrik?

If it had been her...

She would have left immediately.

She wouldn’t have wanted to remain in the same building for another second.

Unable to suppress her curiosity any longer...

She quietly leaned closer.

Her fragrant hair lightly brushed against Lucas’s shoulder.

In a soft voice that only he could hear, she whispered,

"Lucas..."

"Who is that young lady beside you?"

"She’s been wearing sunglasses and a mask the entire time."

"There must be a reason, right?"

Lucas glanced toward Gold before smiling mysteriously.

Instead of answering...

He deliberately kept her guessing.

"Let’s keep it a secret for now."

"I’ll tell you after the banquet."

He lowered his voice slightly.

"All I can say is..."

"Her background is far more impressive than you imagine."

"If you found out who she really is now..."

"You’d probably be too shocked to enjoy the rest of tonight."

Maya blinked.

Her curiosity instantly doubled.

She subconsciously looked toward Gold again.

Who exactly...

Was this mysterious woman?

Before she could continue asking...

The lights inside the grand banquet hall gradually dimmed.

At the same time...

The host slowly walked onto the stage with a bright smile.

The lively conversations throughout the hall gradually died down as everyone’s attention shifted toward the stage.

The business banquet...

Had officially begun.

Before long, the business banquet officially entered its most anticipated segment.

The charity auction.

The lights inside the banquet hall gradually dimmed.

Moments later...

A handsome man in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo walked confidently onto the stage.

He smiled warmly as he looked across the sea of distinguished guests.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."

"My name is Eren, and I’ll be your host for tonight’s auction."

"First of all..."

"On behalf of the Reid Group, I’d like to sincerely thank every one of you for attending tonight’s banquet."

He paused briefly as polite applause spread throughout the hall.

"As many of you know..."

"Tonight’s auction features a carefully selected collection of rare jewelry, luxury collectibles, antiques, paintings, and exclusive memorabilia."

"Every successful bid will not only add another remarkable piece to your personal collection..."

"But will also contribute to tonight’s charitable fundraising efforts."

He smiled confidently.

"So without taking up any more of everyone’s valuable time..."

"Let’s officially begin tonight’s auction."

As his voice fell...

The spotlight shifted toward the center of the stage.

The first auction item was slowly wheeled out by a beautiful hostess.

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became lively.

Many guests straightened in their seats with anticipation.

A dazzling necklace immediately reflected countless rays of light beneath the crystal chandeliers.

The entire ballroom seemed to sparkle.

Small gasps instantly sounded from every direction.

Inside the transparent case rested an extraordinarily exquisite diamond necklace.

Its centerpiece...

Was a flawless ten-carat pink diamond.

The soft rose-colored gemstone shimmered brilliantly, radiating a romantic glow that captivated every woman present.

Even from a distance...

Its beauty was breathtaking.

Eren smiled as she introduced it.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

"As you can see..."

"The centerpiece of this necklace is an exceptionally rare natural pink diamond."

He paused deliberately.

"Does anyone know what pink diamonds symbolize?"

Several guests smiled knowingly.

Eren continued.

"That’s right."

"They symbolize gentle..."

"Pure..."

"And everlasting love."

"And a flawless ten-carat pink diamond..."

"Represents perfection itself."

His smile widened.

"Now then..."

"The opening bid begins at..."

"Thirty million dollars."

The moment those words left his mouth...

The entire banquet hall erupted into discussion.

"Thirty million?"

"That’s only the first item?"

"What a lineup..."

"I expected a few hundred thousand to start..."

"This is unbelievable."

Many guests exchanged surprised looks.

Normally...

Charity auctions began with paintings, antiques, or jewelry worth a few hundred thousand dollars.

Very few events dared begin with something valued at tens of millions.

But tonight...

Malrik clearly intended to make an unforgettable first impression.

In reality...

Everything had been carefully planned beforehand.

Originally...

Malrik intended to publicly purchase this necklace and personally place it around Maya’s neck before announcing their engagement.

He had secretly investigated her preferences months ago.

He knew...

Among all gemstones...

Maya loved pink diamonds the most.

By buying it for her in front of the city’s elite...

He could showcase both his financial strength and his devotion, creating the image of a wealthy, affectionate fiancé.

Unfortunately...

Life rarely followed the script.

Lucas had completely destroyed that plan.

Still...

Malrik refused to lose face.

He slowly raised his bidding paddle.

"Thirty point five million."

His calm voice immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Since Maya was no longer within his reach...

This necklace could simply be given to another woman in the future.

Besides...

Winning the auction would still allow him to dominate the spotlight tonight.

He also wanted Maya to witness exactly what she had thrown away.

Across the hall...

Another businessman immediately raised his paddle.

"Thirty-one million."

Beside him sat an attractive internet celebrity wrapped around his arm.

It was obvious.

He intended to buy the necklace solely to impress her.

Malrik’s expression darkened slightly.

"Thirty-two million."

The businessman wasn’t backing down.

"Thirty-five million."

Whispers immediately spread across the hall.

"The competition’s heating up."

Malrik narrowed his eyes.

Without hesitation...

"Forty million."

His voice echoed throughout the ballroom.

The sudden five-million-dollar increase instantly silenced many of the smaller bidders.

The atmosphere froze.

Even the businessman hesitated.

Everyone knew...

This was no longer about the necklace.

It had become a contest of pride.

And fighting Malrik over face alone simply wasn’t worth the cost.

Businessmen valued profits.

Not pointless emotional decisions.

After a brief pause...

The businessman sighed helplessly before lowering his paddle.

He leaned toward the beautiful influencer beside him.

"Brooklyn..."

"I’ll buy you an identical one later."

The young woman pouted immediately.

"I don’t want another one."

"I want this one."

She crossed her arms.

"You’re so rich."

"Why are you backing down now?"

The man wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"That guy’s the Reid family’s young master."

"There’s no point competing with him."

"For forty million..."

"I can buy you an even bigger pink diamond."

Only then did the influencer’s expression soften.

"Hmph."

"Fine."

"I’ll forgive you this time."

"But don’t forget."

"You promised."

She gently rubbed her stomach with a sweet smile.

"After all..."

"I’m already carrying your baby."

"You’d better treat me well."

The businessman hurriedly nodded.

"Of course."

"Of course."

"I’ll buy it."

Their conversation amused several nearby guests.

Meanwhile...

After Malrik’s forty-million-dollar bid...

The entire venue became noticeably quieter.

Everyone understood there were still many valuable auction items waiting later tonight.

Very few people wanted to burn forty million dollars on the very first item.

Seeing no one continue bidding...

Eren slowly raised the small crystal hammer.

"Forty million..."

"Going once."

He glanced around the ballroom.

No response.

"Forty million..."

"Going twice."

Just then...

Lucas happened to glance toward Maya.

Although she hadn’t spoken a single word...

He noticed something.

Her beautiful eyes had unconsciously lingered on the necklace ever since it appeared.

There was admiration hidden deep within them.

Women naturally loved beautiful things.

Jewelry.

Diamonds.

Gemstones.

Especially rare pink diamonds.

It was almost instinctive.

Maya was no exception.

The moment she saw the necklace...

She had been completely captivated.

Lucas remembered what Mason had said earlier.

Malrik had specifically chosen this necklace because he knew Maya loved pink diamonds.

Unfortunately for Malrik...

That information was now helping someone else instead.

A faint smile appeared on Lucas’s lips.

Without the slightest hesitation...

Before the auctioneer could announce the final call...

Lucas calmly raised his paddle.

"Fifty million."