“What special method?” someone in the audience couldn’t help but ask.
The short, stout man continued, “Besides the real Dragoncloud Cauldron on display, we have prepared two identical Dragoncloud Cauldrons.”
“We will shuffle the three Dragoncloud Cauldrons and assign them numbers. The bidders will then choose one. If a bidder selects the real cauldron, they qualify to bid. If they choose a fake, they lose the qualification to bid.”
The members of the Bloomer family, Meredith family, and Watson Family were visibly surprised by this announcement. They hadn’t expected the auction to be so complicated.
Everyone else was also hearing about such an unusual auction rule for the first time and began discussing it.
“The auction rules I just mentioned were specifically requested by the original owner of the Dragoncloud Cauldron. If all bidders disagree, the cauldron will be withdrawn from the auction and will not be re-auctioned.”
“If most bidders agree, the auction will proceed, and all bidders must adhere to the rules.”
“There’s another scenario: if only one bidder selects the real cauldron, it will be sold to them at a low price of three million dollars.”
After the short, stout man finished speaking, Josiah was thrilled and immediately raised his hand in agreement. “I agree with Director Mosley’s auction rules!”
Josiah quickly agreed because they had Master Obrien. With Master Obrien’s expertise, the Meredith family was confident they could select the real Dragoncloud Cauldron.
If the Bloomer family and Watson Family chose incorrectly, they could acquire the Dragoncloud Cauldron for just three million dollars-a deal too good to pass up.
Levi Sterling and his brother Jair Sterling had uncertain expressions on their faces.
Levi Sterling was somewhat knowledgeable about antiques and knew how to authenticate them, but his skills were no match for Master Obrien’s.
Moreover, Levi Sterling had limited knowledge about the Dragoncloud Cauldron. If the fakes were too convincing, he would struggle to distinguish the real one.
On the Bloomer family’s side, Jason and Jacob looked equally troubled.
Especially Jason, who deeply regretted letting Master Obrien go. If he had known this would happen, he would never have let him leave.
Now, not only had Master Obrien left, but he had also joined the Meredith family.
In this situation, it was almost certain that the Meredith family would pick the real Dragoncloud Cauldron, while the Bloomer family would have to rely on luck.
If they guessed wrong, they would lose their bidding qualification and watch as the Dragoncloud Cauldron went to either the Meredith family or Watson Family.
At that point, the Bloomer family’s status in the capital would suffer, and the Meredith family would use this to suppress them further.
Jacob stared intently at the Dragoncloud Cauldron on stage, trying to memorize every detail.
This peculiar auction method played right into Master Obrien’s hands. He laughed loudly and said, “I’ve attended many auctions, but this is the first time I’ve encountered such a scientific and reasonable method!”
“Mr. Meredith, I can’t speak for the other two families, but I can guarantee that I will select the real Dragoncloud Cauldron for the Meredith family!”
Master Obrien’s words were deliberately aimed at the Bloomer family.
Josiah and Clyde Crawford were overjoyed, feeling as if the Dragoncloud Cauldron was already theirs.
“Josiah, make sure to thank Master Obrien when we get back!” Clyde Crawford instructed with a smile.
“Of course, Dad!” Josiah responded with a smile while glancing at Jason smugly.
Jason felt deeply troubled and could only sigh heavily. If his father hadn’t chosen Leo, Master Obrien would be sitting beside him now, and the Dragoncloud Cauldron would surely belong to the Bloomer family…
Nicholas remained calm and turned to Leo. “Dr. Leo, do you need to take a closer look at the Dragoncloud Cauldron?”
“No need,” Leo replied calmly. “Old Mr. Bloomer, rest assured, I will help you select the real Dragoncloud Cauldron.”
Hearing Leo’s confident words, Jason didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Was this young man named Leo out of his mind? Where did he get such confidence?
Jacob finally looked away from the cauldron and couldn’t help but smile bitterly at Leo’s words. “Dr. Leo, it’s better to be humble. You probably haven’t seen this cauldron before. How can you tell which one is real without a closer look?”
Leo didn’t respond to Jacob’s question; he just smiled silently.
“Enough! Since we’ve chosen Dr. Leo, we must trust him completely!” Nicholas glared at Jacob.
Two uniformed men reappeared on stage and moved the Dragoncloud Cauldron backstage after covering it with a yellow cloth.
Five or six minutes later, six uniformed men emerged from backstage, each pair carrying a tray with a covered Dragoncloud Cauldron.
The staff brought two more display tables and connected them with the previous one.
The six men placed their trays on the tables and stepped back. Three women in cheongsams then stepped forward and simultaneously unveiled the three Dragoncloud Cauldrons.
The three cauldrons looked identical to everyone present.
“It’s impossible to tell which one is real!”
“Director Mosley said it’s about fate-just guess.”
“Let’s see which family gets it.”
“I bet the Meredith family will get it; Master Obrien is no amateur!”
The audience buzzed with excitement.
The short, stout man raised his hand for silence and said, “Three Dragoncloud Cauldrons-two fake, one real. Bidders, please prepare to make your choice.”
With that, he gestured to the three women in cheongsams.