Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 96

The room erupted in a flurry of whispers and shocked exclamations.

"Number 823 is still bidding?! What is she playing at?"

"Tyler's already lit the candle—why is she still raising the stakes?"

"Does she actually think she can blow out Tyler's candle?"

"We're already at five million. That tanzanite's only worth a million at best. If it goes now, that's five times its value!"

"There's got to be something fishy going on."

"Is it the stone, or the people bidding?"

People exchanged bewildered glances, the tension thick in the air. Then someone finally voiced the real question:

"What happens if two people both light the candle for the same item?"

A hush fell for two beats. Then someone answered, "Then it's a contest of endurance. Whoever can outlast the other wins."

"I remember four years ago, there was a double candle bid. That auctioned piece went for an insane price."

"Overnight, just because of that single item, Mr. Lewis from Highcrest lost nearly his entire family fortune. The Lewis family, once a powerhouse in Highcrest, dropped a rung on the social ladder! The fallout lasted for years before they even began to recover. It's practically legend in Highcrest."

"That intense?"

"Absolutely. When it's a double candle, emotions run high and there's no backing down. You never know which of you will crack first, or if the final bid will ruin you."

"Makes sense."

"But 823 hasn't officially lit the candle yet, has she? She's just bidding. So what's her angle?"

"No idea."

"Hey, who started the betting pool earlier? Wasn't it about how many times 823 would follow Tyler's lead? That's once already. Whoever bet on zero, pay up!"

"It's not over yet. Let's wait and see!"

…

Downstairs, speculation buzzed like a hive. Meanwhile, on the second floor—

Christian leaned in, lowering his voice. "Serena?"

Emilia looked up at him, her eyes cool and steady behind her mask.

"Do you trust me?" she asked.

That single glance sent Christian's heart racing.

Those icy, mesmerizing eyes could pull anyone into her game.

His right hand clenched tightly.

After a moment, he nodded.

They were already in this deep—he wasn't about to leave her alone at the table.

Across the room, Wyatt craned his neck, barely containing his glee.

He waved at Christian, raising his voice just enough for the two to hear, "Can't even keep your own woman in check? She's squaring off with Tyler now. Grandpa's still at the villa, you know—just wait till he hears about this. He'll have your hide!"