When Yvette was about to raise her paddle, Xavier stopped her. Don''t bid anymore." But she didn''t want to listen, Yasmine aimed to deal with Irene, so she would definitely lure Irene to raise the bid. She defiantly raised her paddle high. "205 million!" This price had already far exceeded the inherent value of the ind, yet Yvette was obliviously waiting for Yasmine to raise the bid again. To her surprise, neither Yasmine nor Irene raised their paddles.


    "Once for 205 million! Twice for 205 million!" Yvette''s forehead beaded with sweat as she wondered why they stopped bidding. "Three times for 205 million! Congrattions, Mrs. Flynn, the Emerald Isle is yours," announced the auctioneer. "What?" Yvette was still in a daze. She had just mindlessly bought Emerald Isle. "Why?"


    Xavier didn''t storm off right then and there, which was already giving her face. Annoyed, she red at Yasmine''s seatback, her eyes brimming with anger. Yet, when Yasmine turned back to look at her, her eyes were full of amusement. A chill ran down her spine; she had been yed.


    After the bidding for Emerald Isle ended, the auction room fell into a brief silence. The intense atmosphere from bidding for Emerald Isle was gone. The three properties that followed, in the southwest suburbs, Lingtong Isle, and Barton Isle, sold for 165 million, 65 million, and 148.5 million respectively.


    The next property up for auction was Crescent Isle. Yasmine felt a sudden shift to a more serious atmosphere in the previously rxed room. Morgan whispered quietly in Yasmine''s ear, "Pay attention now."


    Yasmine slightly nodded, but her gaze shifted to Irene in the front row, who had straightened her back as if taking things seriously too. It seemed that Yvette had informed Irene about Crescent Isle.


    "The starting bid for Crescent Isle is 99 million, with each raise being 6.5 million," the auctioneer announced.


    Yvette smiled and raised her paddle, "132 million." Many in the audience looked on in disbelief. She raised the bid by 33 million right from the start.


    Yonas raised his paddle too. "165 million." These two really were in sync, bumping up the bid by 65 million in one go.


    Yasmine nced around. She saw Hunter lift his paddle and said, "181.5 million." She smiled softly, saying nothing, as Morgan upped the bid once more, "195 million dors."


    Not wanting to be outdone, Irene dered, "200 million."


    Yvette watched anxiously while Xavier looked upset. After spending on the Emerald Isle, their budget was already tight, and now the price was beyond what they could afford. "Xavier, I''m sorry, I didn''t expect..." she began to apologize. But Xavier didn''t even give her a nce, remainingposed as he watched others raise their paddles, suppressing his inner anger.


    Hunter raised his paddle once more, "206.5 million." In truth, a price over 200 million far exceeded Crescent Isle''s value. But if it was indeed along the new shipping route, its value couldn''t be calcted that way.


    Yasmine raised her paddle as well and announced a jaw-dropping price, "230 million." This was one of the top prices at the auction, causing many to gasp. Even Morgan looked at Yasmine in shock, though no matter what she did, Morgan would support her. Yasmine looked at Irene, wondering how she would react. Irene was stunned for a few seconds, then finally raised her paddle and said, "250 million."


    At such a high price, Hunter sighed and shook his head, seeming ready to give up.


    Morgan furrowed his brows and was about to raise his paddle, but Yasmine stopped him. "Don''t move. Morgan looked at her, puzzled, but decided to trust his sister. He put down the paddle and watched intently.


    Chapter 225-


    "250 million, going once! With the strike of the hammer, thend on Crescent Isle belonged to Irene.


    Yvette widened her eyes at Yasmine, finally sensing something was off. If it was really as Yasmine imed, Crescent Isle was the new route, why would she give up?


    Irene also sensed something was off. It was only after the hammer fell that she slowly realized. Her first nce went to Yonas, who appeared calm. Something was wrong! She must have overlooked something! Why didn''t Yasmine look disappointed? Why didn''t she keep fighting for thend? It was only 250 million. Crescent Isle was twice the size of Emerald Isle. There was no way she would give up for such a small amount.


    "The next lot, Misty Evergreen Isle, starts at 100 million, with a bid increment of 6.5 million," announced the auctioneer.


    Hunter raised his sign, "105 million."


    Yvette nced at him, thinking how persistent Hunter was. From the start, he''d bid on several plots ofnd, all snatched away by others. And here he was, still going for Misty Evergreen Isle. Irene was still lost in the moment. She couldn''t fathom why Yasmine would give up.


    Yvette was puzzled too, wondering what Yasmine was up to. She had insisted on getting Crescent Isle, so why suddenly give up?


    "116 million dors!"


    Hunter, refusing to back down, dered, "120 million."


    The other person didn''t n on giving up either, saying, "125 million!"


    No one cared about who was bidding. People were still regretting not securing Emerald Isle and were amazed at the high bid for Crescent Isle.


    Irene looked at Yonas, "Yonas, is there something you''re hiding from me?" Yonas looked at Irene with confusion and chuckled, "What could I possibly hide from you?"


    "165 million," Hunter said, a bit anxiously.


    Yvette was stillining, "I really don''t get why Mr. Ellis is so eager to snatch up the insignificant Misty Evergreen Isle. It''s barely worth 165 million, and any more would be a loss."


    Xavier replied curtly, "Do you think everyone is like you?"


    Yvette''s face turned pale. She wanted to argue back, but recalling what had just happened, she decided to keep her mouth shut. Xavier was right-it was her mistake.


    The person in the corner didn''t seem ready to give up. "170 million."


    The two of them kept raising the bids back and forth, and in just two minutes, it reached 200 million. Who would have thought that thepetition for Crescent Isle was not as fierce, yet Misty Evergreen Isle was so hotly contested.


    Just then, Hunter spoke up, "My apologies, youngdy, but Misty Evergreen Isle is a ce I visited with my grandpa when I was young, so I''m really keen on buying it. Could you possibly let me have it?" Typically, such a request would be met with agreement, especially since Misty Evergreen Isle is just a humble little ind.


    Unexpectedly, the woman in the corner said, "Misty Evergreen Isle holds significance for me too. 230 million."


    Everyone in the venue gasped in surprise. No one had expected such an unassuming ind to reach a staggering price of 230 million.


    Hunter sat down with a cold expression, saying nothing more.