After Sabrina's performance, she returned to her dressing room. She would stay there and wait for the signal of the host, summoning her again at the center stage when the auction started.
Since the bidding hadn't started yet, Lanny decided to accompany her for a while. She served as Athena's manager.
"Hahaha. You should have seen his face. It's so funny. He looked like he had just seen a ghost when you started singing." Lanny's laughter bubbled up in the room.
"He stood at the entrance door. I didn't see him right away," Sabrina responded, smiling victoriously. After five years, she met Dominique once again. She stood her ground, facing the devil of her past.
"What did you feel?" Lanny asked her, looking at her with intrigue. She sat next to her, waiting for her response.
"Just pure hatred and disgust," Sabrina responded truthfully. Those feelings fueled her determination to get her revenge.
Lanny was satisfied with her answer, patting her shoulder. "You did a good job embarrassing him out there. Congrats. I didn't expect that." She burst out laughing once again.
"This is just the start. I will make him regret it. I'll take everything back and punish everyone who betrayed us," Sabrina said with conviction.
"Hmm, Honestly, I was surprised. Five years had passed but it seems that he still recognized your voice. Do you think he will join the bid?" Lanny turned on the monitor inside the dressing room so that they could watch the progress in the Banquet Hall.
Sabrina fell silent. She didn't expect that either. In fact, they were rooting for Ashton to win the bid since he was Dominique's best friend. They planned to get closer to Ashton, using him as the bridge to reconnect Dominique and Sabrina.
"I don't know. Let's hope for the best." Sabrina just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. She then lifted her wine glass, producing a gentle clink as it met Lanny's, and both women took a sip of their wine.
Little did they know, aside from Ashton Davis, five bigshots were willing to spend millions just to win the bid and be with her. Those big shots were all handsome bachelors– famous figures in York City.
Bidder Number 1: Richard Lee, 28 years old. The CEO of Lee Corporation, the top fashion company in York City.
Bidder Number 9: Timothy Wilson, 32 years old. The president of YJ Entertainment. He wanted to recruit Athena and be his artist.
Bidder Number 14: Oliver Jones, 30 years old. The Vice Chairman of Jones International Inc., a top hotel and resort company in the country. He aimed to negotiate with Athena to become their hotel ambassador. Oliver was also Melody's fiancé.
Bidder Number 5: Gael Tan, 29 years old. The CEO of Tan Group which operates the largest private hospital, primary healthcare, and emergency medical services in the country. He was Sabrina's best friend.
Bidder Number 18: Anonymous Bidder- a powerful man in the underground world.
Back in the banquet hall, the tension began to grow when the main auctioneer took center stage- a sign that the bidding war was about to start.
"Before we officially start, I would like to invite Miss Athena to join us here on the stage. She is the main attraction of this bidding process!"
The hall was filled with anticipation and excitement as Sabrina appeared on the stage once again. Everyone's gaze shifted toward her.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please! We are about to commence an exciting and exclusive auction featuring the chance to spend an enchanting evening with the one and only Athena, our phenomenal guest of honor tonight!" the auctioneer gathered everyone's attention.
"So without further ado, let the bidding begin! Bidders, raise your paddles, and let the excitement unfold!"
Bidder Number 1 offered an initial amount of 50 Million US Dollars!
The first bid was met with a mixture of impressed gasps and discreet conversations as the auctioneer acknowledged the offer. "A spirited start at 50 Million US Dollars! Who will raise the stakes?"
Bidders eagerly raised their paddles across the hall, each gesture signaling a desire to win the chance to spend time with the mysterious singer. The atmosphere in the room buzzed with the chatter of participants vying for the opportunity to unlock the mystery behind Athena's mask.
The auction became a dynamic dance of numbers.
Bidder Number 9 (Timothy): Fifty Five Million US Dollars!
Bidder Number 14 (Oliver): Sixty Five Million US Dollars!
Bidder Number 5 (Gael): Seventy Million US Dollars!
Sabrina, the star of the event, maintained her poise, occasionally flashing a captivating smile that sent ripples of enthusiasm through the bidders. The bids soared higher and higher, each increment met with gasps and cheers from the intrigued onlookers.
Amidst the fervor, Dominique, with a stern expression, observed the proceedings from his seat. His gaze remained fixed on Sabrina, a mixture of curiosity, desire, and perhaps a hint of jealousy flickering in his eyes.
"Damn! I have so many competitors," Ashton complained to Dominique. Soon, he raised his own paddle as Ashton joined the bid.
Bidder Number 3 (Ashton): Eighty Million US Dollars!
Bidder Number 1(Richard): Eighty Five Million US Dollars!
Bidder Number 3 (Ashton): One Hundred Million US Dollars!
He wrapped his arms around Dominique's shoulder and whispered. "If things get out of hand, let me borrow your money, okay?" Dominique just pushed his hand away, ignoring his request.
The numbers climbed steadily as another bidder named his price at the back.
Bidder Number 18 (Anonymous Bidder): Three Hundred Million US Dollars!
"Fuck! I've reached my limit!" Ashton put on a pitiful face. "Who the hell is that?"
The last offer was the biggest price for tonight. The anonymous bidder tripled the amount of Ashton's last bid. Everyone gasped in disbelief, including the other bigshots.
"Going once at Three Hundred Million US Dollars, going twice..." The auctioneer's rhythmic call hung in the air, the seconds ticking away like a suspenseful countdown.
It seemed that no one could no longer afford to raise their paddles. At that particular moment, Lanny's eyes locked onto the anonymous bidder, and her eyes widened in surprise. A sudden realization dawned on her as she identified the familiar figure.
"Oh no! What on earth is he doing here? Could it be that troublesome brother of mine attempting to sabotage our carefully laid plan? I won't let him get away with this!" Lanny briskly moved towards the mysterious bidder, her fist clenched in annoyance.
"Are there any more takers? This is your last chance to secure this extraordinary opportunity! Going thrice at Three Hundred Million!" The auctioneer's voice rose, signaling the imminent closure of bidding.
A collective breath held, the room hung in a suspended moment, waiting to witness the climax of the auction. The auctioneer, with a decisive nod, prepared to declare the winning bid when suddenly...
"Five Hundred Million US Dollars." A bold voice cut through the tension, igniting a surge of excitement. The hall erupted into whispers and gasps as a new contender stepped forward, altering the course of the auction. That new contender was none other than Dominique Smith.
Sabrina: "..."
Ashton: "..."