Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 99

A sweeping beam of light fell on her, illuminating the woman in the silver-white satin gown until she seemed almost ethereal.

She turned toward Alexander, offering a graceful, subtle bow of acknowledgment.

"Does anyone else wish to bid on this tanzanite?" Alexander's voice rang out again, crisp and commanding.

Silence.

No one spoke, no one moved.

After waiting about thirty seconds, Alexander nodded, then continued, "Very well. May I ask you both—are your bids entirely voluntary?"

Both bidders raised their hands, signaling their assent.

At that, Alexander lifted his own hand, and the lighting in the room shifted suddenly.

A burst of exhilarating drumbeats filled the auction hall as Alexander spoke once more: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am fully aware of both parties' circumstances. On my own honor and on the reputation of the Donovan Group, I guarantee there is no malicious price inflation tonight. Both bidders are genuinely seeking to acquire this tanzanite."

People exchanged bewildered glances.

If this wasn't a rigged contest, and there were no marketing stunts at play, then both parties truly desired the stone—desperately enough to drive the price up, but honestly so.

So every bid from seat 823 came straight from the heart? No games, no tricks?

What on earth was going on?

No one in the audience had a clue. Across the room, Tyler frowned, his gaze fixed on the woman standing serenely at her place.

Emilia's eyes were lowered; she didn't look at Tyler.

Alexander knew who she really was. She'd asked Christian to conceal the seller's identity for this tanzanite, but nothing slipped past Alexander.

After all, Christian was his grandson.

In fact, it was entirely possible Alexander had figured out this tanzanite was meant to be a birthstone for Emilia's own child.

A wife determined not to let her child's birthstone fall into the hands of her husband's mistress—or a husband who'd help the mistress—had every reason to bid sincerely. No one could accuse her of foul play.

He'd spent years dominating the business world, but never had he encountered anyone so impossible to read.

"Very well." Just then, Alexander's voice cut through the tension from his perch atop the raised platform. "I, Alexander, will personally oversee the remainder of this auction."

The hall, which had just begun to settle, erupted in a fresh wave of excitement.

"Alexander himself—he hasn't personally hosted in years!"

"This is history in the making!"

"Is it true? Are we about to witness Alexander's legendary hosting skills from two decades ago?"

A sharp, rhythmic clatter of a gavel brought the crowd back to order.

All eyes shifted between three focal points: the elevated platform, seat 888, and seat 823.

"The bidding continues. Bidder at 888 has offered twelve million dollars. Do I hear a higher bid?" Alexander's voice echoed through the hall, clear and resolute.