?Chapter 1082:


    She was sure that at this price, buying the stone wouldn’t be a mistake. But no sooner had she spoken than someone else raised the bid. “Number 1050, two hundred thousand.”


    A flicker of surprise passed across Corrine’s face. She nced over, spotting a man standing near the wooden railing of another private room. He looked to be in his thirties, dressed in a in white shirt and ck suit. He seemed more like a bodyguard or a servant than a rich heir.


    “The person in that VIP room is from the Quinn family,” Mandy whispered in her ear.


    Corrine raised an eyebrow. “The Quinn family?”


    Mandy paused, sensing her confusion. She wasn’t sure how to exin. Everyone on the Independent Continent knew that the Quinn family’s heiress was very close to Nate. They were practically childhood friends. What was more, thanks to their…


    The families’ connections were well known, with the Hopkins and Quinn families already considering themselves as inws. Most people had assumed that the heiress of the Quinn family would eventually marry into the Hopkins family. But who would have guessed that Nate would bring a woman from outside instead?


    Mandy, knowing her ce, was careful with her words. After thinking for a moment, she spoke seriously. “The Quinn and Hopkins families have had a strong bond for generations.”


    But Corrine wasn’t naive. She quickly picked up on what Mandy was implying. Given the deep ties between the families, it was clear that Nate’s rtionship with the Quinn heiress was more than just casual. She didn’t dwell on the matter for long and went back to her bidding. Corrine raised the price several times, and each time, the man immediately matched it, pushing the price up to a million.


    She furrowed her brow, realizing that he was clearly trying to target her. Just as she was about to raise the bid again, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from the upstairs private room. “Two million.” The venue went dead silent.


    Everyone’s eyes shifted upward to the private room, their curiosity piqued. The upstairs private rooms were reserved for the most powerful families on the Independent Continent. Even if someone had the money, they wouldn’t have the standing to enter those exclusive rooms.


    New chapt3rz ababl3 at g??l??ovels.??o??


    “Who’s upstairs, being so bold? Doubling the bid without a second thought?”


    “Whoever it is, we can’t afford to mess with them. When the big yers get involved, we might as well sit back and enjoy the show.”


    “The voice came from Room No. 1. Besides that man from the Hopkins family, no one else has the right to be there.”


    The mood in the room shifted immediately. The crowd’s expressions subtly changed, and their bodynguage hinted at both fear and respect. Someone in the crowd whispered, “Don’t underestimate those in Room No. 2. They’re not backing down.”


    As they spoke, a soft chime of a silver bell echoed from Room No. 2. “Three million.”


    At this, the crowd buzzed with excitement.


    People loved a good spectacle, and the battle between the two men had the crowd on edge, their eyes bright with anticipation. They were hoping for a showdown, eager to see the drama unfold.


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