The auction hall was bustling with excitement as the bidding for the owl statue escalated. The crowd surged, each person vying to claim this exquisite masterpiece. Amid the throng, Maggie stood resolute, her eyes fixed on the prize, adrenaline coursing through her veins.
The auctioneer’s voice reverberated within the hall, elevating the atmosphere of competition to a crescendo.
Auctioneer: “Ladies and gentlemen, today we have a special item up for auction-a captivating owl statue. We’re starting the bidding at 10 million dollars. Who will make the first bid?”
When the initial bid was called out, Maggie’s heart raced with anticipation. But soon, other bidders joined in, their voices rising amidst the cacophony.
Bidder 1: “12 million dollars!”
Bidder 2: “13 million dollars!”
With each successive bid, the tension grew, and Maggie’s determination strengthened.
The rising bids created a sense of urgency for Maggie, as it seemed there were too many contenders eager to claim the owl statue.
“Charlie, when should we place our bid?” Maggie asked Charlie.
Charlie nodded and replied, “A low-key bid is a bit dull; I’ll speed things up.”
He signaled for Maggie to raise the bidding paddle and called out loudly, “20 million dollars!”
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Maggie when the auctioneer acknowledged her bid, creating a palpable sense of anticipation.
Auctioneer: “We have 20 million dollars from the lady in the front row. Can I hear any more?”
New competitors emerged, their desire to possess the statue evident in their resolute expressions. As the competition heated up, the bids continued to soar, even surpassing the million-dollar threshold.
Bidder 3: “22 million dollars!”
Bidder 4: “23 million dollars!”
Maggie’s heart swelled with excitement and anxiety as her gaze darted between her opponents and the auctioneer.
Amid this ruthless back-and-forth, Maggie’s sense of desperation grew by the minute. She knew time was running out. She turned to Charlie, her eyes pleading with him, urging him to make a bold move at any cost.
Maggie: “Charlie, we can’t let it slip away. Please, go all out. We must win this statue.”
Charlie understood the urgency in Maggie’s voice, and although reluctant, he nodded, fully aware that his actions could have consequences.
Charlie: “Alright, Maggie. I’ll make the final bid. But be prepared; the price might skyrocket.”
Charlie took a deep breath, raised his paddle, and announced a staggering bid, shocking the entire room.
“30 million!”
The air was filled with gasps and whispers as the stakes reached unprecedented heights, far beyond anyone’s expectations.
“One time, 30 million dollars. Do we have any other bids?”
Auctioneer’s voice quivered intentionally, creating suspense, and Maggie’s heart hung in the balance, awaiting judgment. The anticipation was suffocating, and Maggie’s nerves were almost crushed by the weight of it.
“Two times, 30 million dollars. Any interested bidders, please seize this opportunity!”
“30 million dollars for the third and final time, so…”
The auctioneer intentionally drew out the last word, intensifying the suspense. Maggie’s heart was suspended in midair, waiting. Finally, another voice broke the silence.
“I bid 35 million!”
The crowd gasped once more as all eyes turned to the source of the bid. Maggie recognized the bidder as a wealthy tycoon intentionally challenging Aldrich for the Moonstone gem.
“It’s him, the one opposing Aldrich,” Maggie whispered, her fingers clenched, expressing her concern.
“It’s not surprising at all,” Charlie snorted, “He tried to steal from Aldrich twice, let’s see if he’s got what it takes.”
Feeling the energy radiating from the owl statue, Maggie whispered to Charlie, “Charlie, you must win this statue; it’s really important.”
Charlie raised the bidding paddle and exclaimed, “40 million dollars!”
“Oh my God!”
“The Barrett family is incredibly extravagant!”
Hearing Charlie’s bid, the tycoon stood up from his chair, his eyes fixed on Charlie and Maggie. He solemnly declared, “Today, I’m not just buying this statue! I bid 45 million dollars!”
The room erupted in commotion again, and Maggie couldn’t fathom such a vast sum of money. “Charlie, this price is too high…”
“That man’s legs are shaking; he’s just putting on a brave front. Compared to Mr. Barrett’s wealth, his courage is worth nothing!”
Charlie remained calm in his seat, nodding gently to the excited tycoon, which only further infuriated him.
The nervous auctioneer inquired, “45 million, any other bids?”
“Raise it!”
The room fell into an eerie silence as Charlie’s voice rang out, “50 million dollars!”
The audience marveled at Charlie’s audacity. The wealthy tycoon appeared agitated, and people around him attempted to calm him down, as he seemed eager to raise the bid even further.
“I’ll emphasize once more: this gentleman bids 50 million. If there are no other bids, this owl sculpture, sealed for over a thousand years, will be sold!”
In those tense seconds, the air was thick with anticipation and soft gasps. Finally, the auctioneer’s gavel came down, declaring Maggie the winner.
The room erupted in a collective sigh, gasps, and whispers, and everyone was in awe of the outcome. Maggie had won this precious owl statue, and her bold bid left a lasting impression on everyone present.
With a sense of disbelief and victory, she acquired the owl statue for the astonishing price of 50 million dollars. The auction house manager couldn’t contain his excitement, his joy evident.
This record-breaking auction became the talk of the town, surpassing previous records and making Mr. Barrett the center of attention. The auction house manager’s mind raced as he prepared headlines for the news media, ensuring that their annual news special would solidify their success.
Meanwhile, other bidders in the room were in shock at the staggering price of the statue. Whispers and speculation filled the air as they tried to uncover the identity of the VIP in the private booth. When they learned it was Mr. Barrett himself, a sense of reverence rendered them speechless.
The room’s atmosphere shifted, tinged with admiration, curiosity, and a hint of envy. Maggie’s purchase not only secured her the owl statue but also elevated her status among the auction participants.
Soon, the owl sculpture was brought before Maggie. Charlie’s werewolf nature heightened his senses, triggering an instinctual aversion to the owl. As he stared at the magnificent statue, he couldn’t shake the discomfort welling up inside him.
“Maggie, I can’t help but feel we’ve invested too much in this,” he admitted, his voice tinged with concern.
Maggie quickly interjected, her voice filled with conviction. “Charlie, we must remember that we are the guardians of Mr. Barrett’s esteemed reputation. To maintain his prestige, this grand purchase was necessary,” she countered, her tone resolute and compassionate. Deep inside, Maggie felt a twinge of guilt tormenting her conscience. The price they paid for the statue was indeed shocking, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it would burden Aldrich.
Charlie sighed heavily, picked up the phone, and dialed Aldrich’s number to convey the news of Maggie’s significant acquisition. “Boss, Miss Nelson suddenly took a liking to an owl sculpture, and we won the bid at 50 million dollars.” As Charlie awaited a response, his heart raced with anxiety and sympathy for his boss.
The silence on the other end of the phone prolonged, heightening the gravity of the situation. Finally, Aldrich’s voice emerged, calm and cautious. “If this can bring happiness to Maggie, then we’ll indulge her,” he suggested, his words tinged with resignation. His emotions revealed a profound understanding of Maggie’s satisfaction and genuine concern.
Charlie couldn’t help but be moved by Aldrich’s reaction. Meanwhile, as Miss Nelson’s partner, Aldrich had made so many sacrifices, leaving him bewildered.
He turned to Maggie, who was engrossed in admiring and feeling the owl sculpture. As he approached Maggie and the owl sculpture, he felt a surge of energy within himself.
Maggie was highly attuned to the change in energy and quickly enveloped the sculpture. “Charlie, I want to return to Barrett Manor as soon as possible.”
Charlie looked at it seriously once more, but the energy seemed quite normal, and he chalked it up to his imagination.
“Miss Nelson, it seems you really like this sculpture?”
“Absolutely.”
“I wonder how you’d describe your unique taste in art?”
Maggie couldn’t explain everything; she just bought the owl sculpture because of the Energy bead.
Charlie waved a hand. “Well, as long as you like it, it’s worth the boss’s money. Now, I’ll take you back to Barrett Manor.”
“Thank you. But Charlie, I hope you can tell the driver to speed up a bit.” She was worried the energy from the owl sculpture might attract trouble…
Charlie raised an eyebrow. “I suddenly feel even more sorry for the boss. I hope in your heart, your love for him outweighs this sculpture.”