The auction had become a battlefield. The price for Port Square had soared from ten billion to twenty billion.
Clenching her fists and calculating her every last resource, Lyria made a bold move. Raising her paddle, she called out, "Twenty billion, five hundred million!"
Gasps rippled through the room.
In Port Avallon, such a staggering bid was the realm of only the city's most powerful families. For a lesser name to challenge this space was unthinkable.
The crowd erupted with whispers:
"Denvair family? Didn't they collapse years ago?"
"They've been bankrupt since their empire fell apart. Word is they're dodging lawsuits and drowning in debt. Why are they even here? What a joke!"
"Probably just trying to grab attention. A pitiful show of bravado."
Elias Malavant sat across the hall, his sharp gaze fixed on Lyria. He took a cruel pleasure in the tension etched across her face.
For Elias, the outcome of this auction was predetermined. He had prepared seventy billion for the bid, leveraging every last asset of the Malavant family. This land was more than a prize—it was the key to regaining his power. With Silvervein Corporation backing him, rebuilding his fortune was merely a matter of time.
Feigning nonchalance, Elias raised his paddle.
"Twenty-one billion."
The crowd murmured in astonishment as the numbers climbed further.
But Lyria wasn't backing down. Her resolve burned brighter as she raised her paddle again.
"Twenty-one billion, five hundred million!"
The bid had already surpassed the property's estimated value. Lyria's team whispered nervously, but she stood firm. To her, this was not just a piece of land—it was a linchpin. Losing this bid would jeopardize adjacent projects, compounding her losses.
Kael Renforth had placed his trust in her, providing the last of their resources. For the first time since the Denvair family's downfall, Lyria felt the strength to take a gamble.
Elias Malavant chuckled, finding her defiance amusing. Moving across the room, he deliberately sat next to Lyria, his presence an open challenge.
Leaning closer, he studied her with a glint of mockery in his eyes. "Impressive determination," he remarked, his tone dripping with condescension.
Lyria's expression remained icy. "And I assume your family doesn't want this land either?"
Elias smirked. "I'm simply curious—are you counting the pennies in your family's couch cushions to cover this bid? Or is it just paper money left over from the ashes of your legacy?"
A nearby business owner, eager to curry favor with the Malavant family, chimed in mockingly. "Denvair scraping together their lunch money to play with the big leagues? What's next, mortgaging the family china?"
Laughter erupted around them, but Lyria's glare never wavered. Her defiance only made Elias more pleased. For weeks, the shadow of Kael Renforth had loomed over him, suffocating his pride. Today, finally, Elias found his moment to savor a small victory.
From Eldrin Denvair's loose tongue, Elias had learned that Lyria had barely thirty billion to her name. She could push her limits, but in the end, he was certain—no one but him had the means to win this bid.
The auctioneer called for the next bid. Without hesitation, Elias raised his paddle, locking eyes with Lyria.
"Twenty-two billion."
A collective gasp swept the room.
The bid had now soared well beyond market value. No rational investor would pay this price for Port Square. Yet, the Malavant patriarch remained composed, his lips curled in a triumphant smile.
"Only the Malavant family could afford to throw around that kind of money!" someone murmured.
"And the Denvair family? They're just here to play make-believe," another added.
Lyria inhaled deeply, fighting the sting of their words. She would not give Elias the satisfaction of seeing her falter.
This wasn't just business anymore. This was personal.