Chapter 312 Too Willful
Jared was the only one who lit up at the sight. He could barely hide his excitement. Though the snow lotus was soaked in alcohol, he could sense its strong spiritual energy bubbling in the liquid.
Though the snow lotus was not big and had been soaked in alcohol for God knew how long that caused it to lose its luster, it didn’t stop Jared from wanting it.
They didn’t know how to appreciate it, so Jared would get it easily. At least that was what he thought.
Despite the crowd’s curses and yells, the auctioneer didn’t flinch and continued with a smile, “The starting bid for the thousand-year snow lotus is one hundred million, with an increase in the bid of no less than ten million. Let the auction begin!”
Instead of raising his paddle, Jared took in the crowd’s reaction. As no one raised their paddles, he was inwardly pleased.
Right before Jared was about to raise his paddle, Zyaire, who was in the front row, raised his paddle. “One hundred million!” he declared.
Everyone erupted into discussions at the sight of Zyaire raising his paddle.
“Mr. Rider is bidding for this snow lotus? Did we see it correctly?”
“Oh, Trinity Herbs is rich enough to buy such an expensive herb!”
“Just you wait and see. Zyaire is an old but sly fox. He wouldn’t have bid for an expensive herb without reason.”
Everyone gazed at Zyaire, who got to his feet after stating his bid. He announced, “Everyone, though the snow lotus looks to be in bad shape, it is at least a few hundred years old. Since it’s in Yeringham, we can’t let it leave. Otherwise, our reputation as City of Herbs would be affected. Thus, I’ll be bidding for it. Please don’t compete against me.”
Hearing that, everyone was unconvinced, but they dared not bid for the snow lotus.
Zyaire returned to his seat after that announcement. The auctioneer glared at him in displeasure but didn’t have the guts to yell at him. He asked pleadingly, “Anyone else? The snow lotus is a real bargain for its price!”
He did his best to encourage the others to bid so the organizer would get more profit. Alas, no one was bold enough to raise the bid.
Left with no choice, the auctioneer trudged back to the stage and raised his gavel to close the bidding reluctantly.
“A hundred and ten million!”
Jared raised his paddle without warning right before the auctioneer could do that.
The auctioneer cast Jared a delighted look. Everyone else turned to look at Jared, too.
Zyaire furrowed his brows and glared at Jared angrily.
“This bidder has offered a hundred and ten million. Is anyone else going to bid?” the auctioneer inquired and glanced at Zyaire anxiously.
The only person who could bid against him was Zyaire.
“A hundred and fifty million!” Zyaire declared as he raised his paddle in a slow manner.
After he raised the bid by forty million, everyone turned to Jared to see if the latter would raise the bid. Even the auctioneer gave him an earnest look.
“Two hundred million!” Jared raised his paddle without hesitation.
Everyone else gasped in shock.
“Jared, that’s too much!” Zeke reminded him in a low voice.
At auctions, the bidders would normally raise the bid gradually. That way, they could sound each other out. Increasing the bid by tens of millions in one go was too much.
“Josephine, your boyfriend is awesome! Does he own a bank?”
Frida gazed at Jared curiously, as though she wanted to see through him.
