Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 101

She's lost her mind.

Absolutely insane.

Twenty times the original value—now it's up to that?

Doesn't she know who she's up against? Tyler. *That* Tyler. The Tyler who never loses, the one everyone calls "the kingmaker."

"Bidder number 823 has offered twenty million. Any higher bids?"

Even as Alexander addressed Tyler, the entire room remained transfixed by the woman in the mask.

All eyes were on her.

Or rather, on this madwoman.

Not that twenty million was out of reach for most people here. After all, everyone invited to this charity auction was a member of the elite, the kind who could drop that kind of money without blinking.

But no one, not a single person, thought they could out-crazy the Masked Woman.

A flicker of ice flashed through Tyler's eyes.

This was a direct provocation.

Her bids—each one decisive, almost playful—were a clear challenge, poking at his limits.

Not the limits of his wealth or power.

But the limits of his patience. And the image of Tyler Erickson, head of the Erickson Group.

He didn't flinch. With a steady hand, Tyler raised his paddle once more.

"Bidder 888 offers twenty-five million!"

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

Twenty-five times the starting price.

No one had expected it to go this far.

Well, maybe except for one person.

"Bidder 888 has offered twenty-five million. Any higher bids?"

Once again, every gaze fell on the Masked Woman at seat 823.

Tyler's included.

He narrowed his eyes, staring her down, as if trying to pierce through her mask and glimpse the real woman beneath.

She only smiled, a faint, almost amused curve of her lips, then raised her right hand.

But this time, it wasn't a bid. Instead, she pressed her hand to her chest and dipped into a graceful bow.

Twenty-five million for a single tanzanite stone. No one was going to top that.

"Twenty-five million, going once."

Alexander's words echoed.

Silence.

"Twenty-five million, going twice."

He paused, drawing out the tension.

Still, no one spoke.

"Twenty-five million, last call."

He waited longer this time, but the outcome was inevitable. No one else bid.

*Bang!*

The final spotlight lingered on Tyler and the dazzling blue tanzanite, glinting under the stage lights. Overhead, drones arranged in a glowing lantern formation above the villa, casting a surreal glow.

With a decisive strike of the gavel, Alexander made it official.

"Sold! Please hold up your paddle again—888, sold for twenty-five million! Congratulations on winning this extraordinary piece."