At that moment The auctioneer cleared his throat and raised his voice, "Thirty-five million dollars! Do we have anyone willing to bid higher?"
The moment those words left his lips, the entire hall erupted into laughter. It wasn't just a few chuckles—it was an outright mockery of the very idea that someone could go beyond J12's bid.
"Ah, come on! Just say sold already!" one man called out, shaking his head.
Another laughed, nudging his friend, "Who in their right mind would challenge the J12? That's suicide!"
"Exactly," a woman whispered, her lips curving into an amused smirk. "The auctioneer should stop pretending. Everyone here knows it's over!"
The room buzzed with murmurs and knowing glances. People were already accepting J12's victory, some even applauding lightly, as if sealing the deal themselves.
Even the auctioneer, unable to hide his grin, nodded.
"Well then, since there are no further—"
Before he could finish, a voice sliced through the noise like a blade.
