"Three hundred million? Has Sophia Sullivan lost her mind?"
Liam Winston's face turned ashen, his fingers curling into tight fists.
If he bid higher, such massive fund movement would surely alert his father and grandfather.
But if he didn't, the token he'd almost secured would slip away—and he'd have to endure Sophia's mockery. The thought made his blood boil.
His chest heaved violently, eyes burning with resentment. "How could I lose to her?"
Chloe Evans hadn't anticipated this either. The price far exceeded expectations. She gritted her teeth and whispered urgently.
"Liam, don't panic. Even without the token, I'll find another way. There's always a solution."
She'd assumed one hundred million would suffice, planning to divert company funds.
Never had she imagined the bidding would skyrocket like this.
Chloe suspected this was Sophia's trap.
The woman deliberately quoted three hundred million, waiting to make them the fools.
She cautioned Liam immediately.
"We must stay rational. Higher bids risk liquidity issues. Your sister probably wants to see us crash and burn—haven't we suffered enough from her schemes lately?"
Her words struck a chord.
"...You're right."
Liam had been ready to counterbid in anger, but now saw the logic.
Failing to produce the funds could mean more than just sanctions—possibly jail time.
"Where would Sophia get that kind of money? Even with Ethan Sullivan's backing, three hundred million isn't pocket change."
The more he considered, the more it reeked of deception.
His eyes narrowed. "That woman's been opposing me at every turn since the divorce. This is another ploy to trap us."
Once bitten, twice shy. He wouldn't fall for it again.
Cooling down, Liam sneered. "She could never repay that sum. This is just bait to provoke me. Well, I won't bite—let's see how she pays up!"
"Exactly, Liam. Let's watch her face the consequences."
Chloe eagerly awaited Sophia's downfall.
They couldn't afford higher bids anyway—better to let Sophia dig her own grave.
Everything pointed to this being a setup.
After Sophia's bid, the auction floor fell silent.
The token's price dwarfed recent auction records.
Soon, the auctioneer's gavel fell.
"Sold for three hundred million!"
Julian Roscente watched with mild disappointment. The shrewd businessman had hoped for a bidding war between Liam and Sophia.
Instead, one side had retreated.
Hearing the final price, Liam wore a mocking, confident smirk.
"She never expected me to bow out."
As the auction concluded for the evening's gala, staff prepared refreshments while guests dispersed.
But Liam took Chloe straight to the organizers, intent on humiliating Sophia.
"I suggest you verify whether Ms. Sullivan can actually pay."
He said coldly, "She's an orphan with no family, just some backwater nobody."