CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: AUCTION – PART 2

At eight o’clock sharp, a woman stepped onto the stage and took the microphone.

She wore a stunning, shimmering blue dress that generously displayed her cleavage with ample breasts, but not enough to become vulgar, and had long, fiery red hair. Her eyes were green like a precious jewel and shone intensely. Her lips were adorned with bright red lipstick.

"Ahh, ahhh, microphone test, microphone test..."

When everyone in the grand hall turned their attention to her, the woman at the center of the stage smiled.

"Good evening and welcome." She spoke slowly and softly with a very pleasant, even slightly seductive voice: "My name is Nicole Juumonji. I will be the one conducting the auction for you, distinguished guests. I’ll be in your care."

When she finished, she bowed gracefully.

What started with a single clap soon turned into a round of applause.

The woman named Nicole was charismatic enough to achieve this with just a few words. These weren’t mere polite claps.

Soon, the auctioneer, Nicole Juumonji, raised her head, flashed a beautiful smile, and, bringing the microphone to her lips, announced:

"*Cough*. Very well, ladies and gentlemen, let us begin the charity auction. Bring out the first item!"

Her voice carried a glamorous charm; her lips gleamed under the light, and her cheeks displayed a delicate blush.

A few moments later, someone entered pushing a wheeled table. On it rested a set of diamond accessories.

Some gasps of admiration echoed from the women.

It was clear that many wanted this accessory set.

Zayden glanced at Tsukasa, seeing her lack of interest, he wasn’t surprised.

Although he admitted the presented jewelry was beautiful, Zayden didn’t find anything special about it. The pieces his mother wore had much more charm, and even Tsukasa’s jewelry was more delicate and elegant.

While lost in these thoughts, the first bid came: two million yen.

For a set consisting of diamond earrings, necklace, and bracelet, the amount wasn’t exorbitant—just in line with market value.

However, when it was revealed that the set had belonged to a famous actress, the bids quickly soared, reaching five million yen.

’If I’m not mistaken... Erika was a fan of that actress,’ Zayden thought, touching his chin.

"Five million... Going once, going twice..."

"Five million five hundred thousand yen."

Zayden raised the number 7 paddle.

Tsukasa looked at him, surprised.

Looking at her, Zayden smiled as he revealed: "A friend of mine is a fan of the actress Layla Mizushima."

"Friend, huh..." Tsukasa raised an eyebrow, surprised, before crossing her arms.

Thinking for a moment upon seeing her reaction, Zayden admitted: "Well, not exactly just a friend."

"Uh-huh..." She turned her face away, resting her chin on her hand.

’Is she jealous? How cute~’ Zayden chuckled discreetly.

At the same time, Nicole said into the microphone: "...Going three! Sold to the gentleman at number seven!"

The sharp sound of the gavel echoed through the hall, sealing the sale.

Zayden raised his glass of juice in gratitude.

It clearly wasn’t because of him that others refrained from raising the price.

Table seven belonged to the Takeda Group.

Those who knew didn’t want to offend over a simple diamond set.

Meanwhile, one of the staff approached their table and had them sign a purchase commitment form.

After Zayden signed, the staff member who read his name showed surprise but quickly composed themselves.

"Thank you for the donation. The children in the villages will be very happy with your contribution." Saying this, the staff member gave a respectful bow and then walked away.

Not long after, the second item was presented.

It was a soccer ball autographed by Japan’s greatest football player.

Zayden showed no interest in it. The bids surpassed the value of the diamond jewelry set he had purchased.

When it reached the value of 20 million, he saw a floating "X."

’What is that?’

Clicking it, a holographic strip appeared before his retina.

[By purchasing this item at this price, the [Return] ability will not be activated!]

In other words, the value had exceeded what the system allowed for purchasing the item. If he bought it, it would be like ’throwing money away.’

While he reflected, Nicole struck the gavel: "Sold to the gentleman at twenty-two!"

Not wanting to think too deeply, believing he would soon learn more about this by watching new items receive high bids, Zayden began talking with Tsukasa.

His conversation with Tsukasa flowed naturally while the next item was something neither of them was interested in.

"So you went through a rebellious phase and woke up one day realizing how foolish your actions were?" She laughed a little.

"Well, that’s right. Haha, it’s a bit embarrassing now that I hear you say it." Zayden scratched his cheek with his index finger.

This action of his made Tsukasa swallow hard.

She fanned her face with her hand, saying something like "It’s hot in here~" and took a sip of her wine.

The next item was brought out with extreme care, wrapped in a lacquered wooden box, sealed with white fabric.

When the lid was opened, the hall filled with murmurs.

Seeing this, Tsukasa’s interest was captivated.

That look of hers was fascinating. Zayden found himself immersed in her beauty.

Shifting his gaze to the presented item, he was a little surprised to see what it was.

"The next item is... a handcrafted silk kimono, a masterpiece by the legendary Japanese textile master Kakō Moriguchi, recognized as a Living National Treasure!"

The silk had a subtle, almost ethereal sheen that reflected light like the calm surface of a lake under the moon. The background was a deep blue, resembling the night sky, against which intricate embroidery in gold and silver threads stood out, forming delicate stylized waves and cherry blossom petals that seemed to float in the breeze.

Every detail had been handwoven in a process that took years to complete, combining ancient natural dyeing techniques (yuzen) with embroidery of nearly impossible precision to replicate.

"The starting bid is ten million yen!"

When the starting bid was announced, the eyes of many guests widened. It was a piece whose symbolic and artistic value surpassed any figure, fully justifying the initial bid of ten million yen.

"Do you want it? I’ll buy it for you, okay?" Zayden held her hand with a flirtatious look.

That amount was nothing more than pocket change for her, but she knew the price would rise quickly if the others weren’t foolish enough.

"Worried I might end up spending too much on this?" Zayden said: "It’s all right. I have a few million set aside just for spending tonight—and if it’s for you, I’ll spend it without thinking twice." He winked playfully.

She smiled a little.

After considering for a few seconds, she nodded.

"Sixteen million!"

"Seventeen million!"

The hall buzzed, the bidding growing fierce. Zayden only gently squeezed Tsukasa’s hand, confident.

Even if it reached 100 million, he wouldn’t mind, after all, his main goal was to spend 100 million on a girl.

And masterpieces are hard to put a price on.

So far, that X hadn’t appeared, which meant it indirectly indicated that this item was worth the price.

Raising the paddle, Zayden said calmly: "Twenty million."

"We have twenty million from the gentleman at table seven... Anyone else?"

"Thirty million!" A man raised the paddle with the number 2.

"Thirty million, we have thirty million from the gentleman at table 2! Anyone else?"

Seeing that the X didn’t appear, Zayden continued: "Forty million."

Several murmurs and gasps echoed.

The looks directed at Zayden also changed.

"Fifty million!" The voice of the man at table 2 sounded annoyed.

’Can I offer a hundred and fifty million?’ Zayden thought jokingly, just to see an X appear.

’Huh?’

As if he had discovered something, he tested: ’A hundred and forty million?’

He lowered the price in his mind until he reached a hundred and ten million yen. Only when he thought of this amount did the X not appear.

’I see... So the maximum limit I can spend is a hundred and ten million...’

"Sixty million for the gentleman at table 2, going once, going twice..."

"One hundred million (six hundred and eighty-nine thousand dollars)." Zayden announced before she could strike the gavel.

Nicole choked upon hearing that amount, showing surprise.

She wasn’t the only one; Tsukasa squeezed his hand and looked at him with concern.

"Zayden..."

"It’s all right." Zayden comforted her: "If I offered it, it means I’m willing to pay."

Meanwhile, Nicole composed herself.

"We now have one hundred million from the gentleman at table 7." She announced with a somewhat coquettish voice: "I said, one hundred million. Anyone else? Going once..."

She began to count.

The man at table 2 seemed to have given up.

He looked in Zayden’s direction, appearing furious, but Zayden didn’t care.

When the sound of the gavel echoed, a wave of gasps followed.

"Sold for one hundred million yen to the gentleman at table 7!"

Tsukasa looked at him with a shy smile. She lowered her head but soon looked at him with a loving gaze: "Zayden, thank you~"

"As long as you like it." Zayden gently squeezed her hand.

"I like it a lot~" She hummed softly.