Chapter 407
The air in the venue suddenly turned heavy.
Business tycoons exchanged glances, their eyes lingering on Scarlett Galatea.
As Oliver Valrose was escorted out by security, his shouts dissolved into the murmuring crowd.
Isabella Langley finally relaxed her stiff shoulders, casting a grateful look toward Scarlett.
"Scarlett Galatea, current CEO of Galatea Group."
Her posture was impeccable, her voice crisp and commanding.
The name "Galatea" struck like lightning through A City's business circle. Recognition flashed across several faces as someone eagerly stepped forward.
"CEO Galatea! What an honor to finally meet you!"
The man clasped Scarlett's hand with excessive enthusiasm, his ingratiating smile stretching wide.
A novice monk struggled with the weight of Scarlett's lavish donation, glancing helplessly at Master Xingyun.
But the abbot's gaze remained fixed on Evelyn Roland.
Scarlett's fingertips trembled slightly.
Only when Evelyn gave a subtle nod did the auction resume.
Scarlett bowed gracefully to the audience.
The first item was unveiled—a faded ancient painting, its misty landscapes whispering of centuries past.
"A genuine Wang Wei!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Evelyn's pupils contracted. Her peripheral vision flickered toward Sebastian Valdemar's direction.
Bidding erupted like wildfire.
Scarlett's attention clung to Sebastian's impassive profile.
As numbers skyrocketed, her pulse accelerated.
When the gavel struck at fifty million, the ghost of a smile touched her lips.
Subsequent items fetched astronomical prices.
Applause surged like tidal waves.
Blood seeped from Scarlett's clenched palms, yet she felt no pain.
Her focus never wavered from that indifferent figure.
Until Evelyn rose.
Sebastian stirred abruptly.
His gaze locked onto Evelyn with magnetic intensity.
"My donation."
Evelyn opened a brocade box. Twin pink pearls shimmered with ethereal radiance.
A beat of stunned silence.
"Twenty million!"
"Thirty!"
Numbers rocketed upward.
"Eighty million."
Sebastian's voice sliced through the clamor like a blade.
The room held its breath.
Evelyn met his stare, the corner of her mouth lifting.
She'd anticipated this.
"Eighty million, going once!"
Master Xingyun raised the auction hammer.
"Eighty million, going twice!"
Just as the hammer began its descent—
"One hundred million."
A cool female voice cut through the tension.