Chapter 36: The Cost Of A Name
The auction hall was deathly silent after Gabriel's bid.
Two hundred million…
The auctioneer hesitated for a moment, clearly trying to gauge whether anyone else dared to continue.
But Gabriel's words suffocated any opposition.
Diane could feel all eyes shifting between her and him, as if they were no longer people but objects up for spectacle.
She swallowed hard, keeping herself firmly on the polished floor beneath her heels.
Gabriel, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair with that same damnable smile, his fingers drummed lazily against the armrest.
He had won, and he knew it.
The auctioneer, sensing no further bids, cleared his throat and forced a smile.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, it appears we have our final bid. Two hundred million going once… going twice… sold!" He struck his gavel against the podium.
A few scattered claps followed, hesitant and awkward.