Liam Winston studied the bid sheet intently.
His liquid assets were limited.
But combined with Chloe Evans' contribution, it should be enough to secure the prize.
Without hesitation, he raised his paddle.
"Eight million!"
The amount nearly reached the ceiling for final auction items.
Liam aimed for a decisive victory.
All his hopes rested on obtaining this token.
He had to take the gamble.
Sophia Sullivan recognized the familiar voice instantly.
She narrowed her eyes toward Liam's direction.
It was baffling why he would want such an object.
Associating with assassin organizations rarely ended well.
This token should have been destroyed, not resurfaced.
Her expression remained neutral as she calmly raised her own paddle.
"One hundred million."
Liam froze.
Had she lost her mind?
No salaried employee could produce that sum.
The entire room gasped.
The atmosphere turned glacial.
You could hear a pin drop.
Other potential bidders immediately withdrew.
No one questioned the token's authenticity now.
A hundred million in liquid assets?
That kind of expenditure stung.
Most attendees didn't understand the token's significance and wisely refrained from bidding.
But they eagerly watched the showdown between these titans.
"Since when did Mr. Winston and his ex-wife become mortal enemies?"
"Rumor has it his mistress moved in before the divorce was finalized. This must be Ms. Sullivan's revenge!"
"A hundred million is insane. Can she actually pay? Falsifying bids lands you in prison."
Amid the whispers, Sophia remained unruffled.
Ethan Sullivan abstained from bidding this time.
Instead, he slid a black gold card toward her.
"Twenty billion credit limit. Use it as you wish, Ms. Sullivan."
Sophia tested him with playful sarcasm.
"Casually offering twenty billion? You don't behave like a top-five billionaire—more like the wealthiest man alive."
Ethan responded with effortless composure.
"Public rankings are unreliable. When you bid a hundred million, outsiders might assume you're on that list too."
He'd always known Sophia was extraordinary.
But she kept exceeding expectations.
Sophia stretched lazily.
"Because you'll cover it. You always honor your word."
Both were equally cautious.
Their verbal sparring revealed nothing.
Yet this chase thrilled her.
The moment she finished stretching, Sophia winced.
Her lower back ached fiercely.
She instinctively massaged the sore spot.
Damn.
Last night's...enthusiasm was taking its toll.
Ethan had employed several demanding positions.
The aftereffects chose this moment to manifest.
"Are you unwell?" Ethan inquired.
"Just fatigued."
Ethan frowned, placing his palm against her lower back.
"Here?"
Sophia meant to push him away.
But his fingers applied perfect pressure.
The tension melted instantly.
The relief felt so exquisite that she swallowed her protest.