The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 210
Zoey’s account only had thirty-two million left. If she bid again, she wouldn’t have the money to pay.
Zoey’s fingers gripped the bidding paddle tightly, her knuckles turning white. She knew perfectly well how much money was left in her account. Although thirty-two million wasn’t a huge sum for her family, given her father’s personality, if he found out she had overdrawn the account just to spite someone, he would definitely scold her severely and maybe even cut off her allowance for a few
months.
Zoey hesitated, wondering if she should withdraw. But when she caught a glimpse of Leilani’s calm and breezy demeanor, she couldn’t suppress the anger burning in her chest.
“Shut up.” She coldly shook off the assistant’s hand, forcing the words through her teeth. “It’s just thirty-five million. I can still cover it. If I go over, I’ll just make up the difference myself! It’s a broken weed; I want to see if she dares to follow!”
The assistant was sweating with anxiety. “But what if she suddenly stops, like with the Snow
Reishi…”
“She won’t!” Zoey sneered. “She let me have the Snow Reishi earlier because it wasn’t important enough. She’s been eyeing this Dragon Blood Vine the entire session. How could she give it up?”
She took a deep breath and abruptly raised her paddle. “Thirty-five million!”
She wanted to see if Leilani dared to follow! After shouting the price, she looked provocatively in
Leilani’s direction.
Sure enough, when thirty-five million was announced, Leilani frowned slightly, her fingers brushing the edge of her bidding paddle. She looked hesitantly at the Dragon Blood Vine on the stage. Finally, she sighed softly and lowered her hand.
“Forget it,” she whispered to herself. “The price is too inflated. Maybe there will be another chance in
the future.”
Callahan glanced at her sideways. “You’re not bidding?”
Leilani shook her head. “Thirty-five million is too high. If we keep shouting like this, it’ll take at least fifty million to win it. The Dragon Blood Vine is precious, but it isn’t worth that price. Maybe I’m just not destined to have it today.”
Leilani had always been rational; no matter how much she wanted something, she wouldn’t pay for an impulse. Fifty million was already a third of the balance in her account.
However, in the next second…
“Fifty million.”
Callahan’s voice sounded calmly beside her, and the entire venue fell instantly silent.
Leilani whipped her head around to look at him. “Have you lost your mind?”
Callahan looked indifferent, his finger tapping lightly on the armrest. “You like it.”
When Callahan’s fifty million came out, neither Micah nor Zoey dared to increase the price.
19:28
Micah narrowed his eyes and suddenly smiled. “Mr. Langley has great spirit!”
He put down his bidding paddle and gave Leilani a meaningful look. “It seems this Dragon Blood Vine is destined to belong to the beauty.”
Zoey’s face was ashen, but she didn’t dare to follow. With Callahan involved, the price had far exceeded her budget. If she raised the bid again and brought the Dragon Blood Vine home for more than fifty million, the consequences would involve far more than just losing a few months of allowance.
The gavel fell. The Dragon Blood Vine belonged to Callahan.
Leilani frowned. “Fifty million for a medicinal herb. Do you have nowhere else to spend your money?”
Callahan looked down at her, his voice low. “You wanted it.”
Leilani was stunned.
He continued, “Since it’s something you want, it’s worth it.”
There was no domineering “what I say goes,” nor was there any condescending charity. It was as if he were simply stating a calm fact. If she cared about something, he was willing to give it to her.
Leilani’s heart stirred, and she looked away. “…Don’t spend money recklessly next time.”
Callahan chuckled low. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
The auction ended, and the guests began to leave one after another, but a subtle buzz of excitement still permeated the entire hall.
19:28
admin