Dragon Raja 5; Chapter 303: For Your Majesty (118)

Dragon Raja 5

Bunin slowly turned around to look at the man, who was Okinez, holding up his bidding paddle and reiterating his offer.

“You mean the auction isn’t over yet, is that it, my dear Auchinez?” Bunin asked in a low voice.

“Of course not, Mr. Bunin. Your service period isn’t over yet; you’re still holding the hammer.” Okinez emphasized, “Five hundred million dollars, plus 25 years!”

When he said this, he wasn’t looking at Bunin, but at the last girl carrying the suitcase, his eyes were blazing with fervor, like a wild beast slowly approaching its wounded and fallen prey.

Lu Mingfei suddenly smelled a strong stench of blood, but he couldn’t tell whether it was left by Ekaterina or emanating from Auchinez.

Yes, you’re right, the auction isn’t over yet. Bunin strode back to his seat, but instead of sitting down, he raised his gavel high: Five hundred million dollars, plus 25 years! Once! Twice!

Odinez smiled, the smile of a victor. Catherine was dead, and there was no one else in the room who lacked time, nor anyone with enough leverage. He had paid a heavy price, but he could finally live.

“$1.3 billion,” someone said casually. This was exactly the price Ekaterina had quoted, only without the deduction for service years.

Okinez glared furiously at the person, who didn’t even bother to hold up the sign, as her hands were occupied with painting.

Of course, there are people who can afford this price in cash.

No one expected the Romanov family to bid for the last item. Her Highness the Princess had shown no interest in the auction from beginning to end, and her secretary, who had intervened halfway through, was actually Bunin’s agent.

“1.3 billion US dollars is an unreasonable figure, Your Highness. Are you sure?” Bunin asked in a deep voice.

“Mr. Bunin, all you need to do is check if I have enough money in my account. If no one continues bidding, just deduct $1.3 billion from it,” Zero said calmly.

Bunin remained silent for a long time. “When I inserted the card just now, our system displayed an error. Your card has no limit; theoretically, you can withdraw money from all over the world.”

Everyone exchanged surprised glances. While American Express’s Black Card nominally has no spending limit, there are actually restrictions for each individual customer. Once that limit is reached, a bank manager will call. $1.3 billion is a massive sum that could bankrupt a small country; no bank would dare let a customer simply swipe their card and withdraw the money. The only explanation is that this customer’s bank deposits far exceed that amount, and such a withdrawal wouldn’t even require prior notification to the bank.

If verification is required, I can transfer 1.3 billion to your account as a deposit. Zero was speaking to Bunin, but then looked up at Okinez.

Lu Mingfei’s heart skipped a beat. Zero rarely stared at someone so intently; the princess was too lazy to exchange glances with most people. When she looked at someone intently, it was most likely to be her scrutinizing an enemy.

Lu Mingfei didn’t know why she wanted to be enemies with Auchinez. Given her personality, she wouldn’t bother making enemies.

Her eyes were expressionless, only cold, yet Odinez involuntarily wanted to look away. He took a deep breath, his hands pressing firmly on the table. “Your Highness, we all trust the Romanov family’s wealth, and none of us would want to challenge you at the auction. To you, this auction is nothing but a game. I know you bid earlier because you saw through Semyon and Mikhail’s intention to make an off-the-books deal. But I genuinely need this item. Could you grant me a little favor and let it be mine?” His words were undeniably sincere, even humble, but they were completely useless to Zero. She shrugged. “Can a bid be taken back? If you want that item, add more chips.”

Okinez looked at Bunin, who shook his head. “I’m sorry, your overdraft period is also 25 years. If you raise the price, you’ll have to come up with more cash.”

Auchinez’s death knell tolled, and he stood there, stunned, as if his soul had left his body.

Everyone instinctively moved away from him, least this desperate man pulled out a gun, but Okinez raised his hands: $560 million, plus 25 years.

He actually pulled out another $60 million and raised the price in cash.

“I’m sorry, Okinez, you don’t have enough credit in your card,” Bunin said.

Take this card, there’s money on it! Okinez pulled a card from his pocket and slid it across the table toward Bunin.

“Mr. Okinez, the card in your hand looks like Vishniak’s. Vishniak, who came with a hundred million dollars to buy time, is dead, but how did his hundred million dollars end up in your hands?” Zero asked quietly. Okinez shuddered violently, as if struck by lightning, but he quickly regained his composure; this was Vishniak’s final gift.

Your friend needs time, and you need time too, but he feels that the money he brought isn’t enough to buy back time, so he sacrifices himself and gives you his chips? Zero said calmly, “What a touching friendship.”

That night, Vishniak drank too much and became too agitated. Okinez said slowly, “We are all always walking on the edge of life and death. I’m not the only one who has thought about ending my life.”

He looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering on each face, but he skipped over Sonia.

No one agreed, but no one denied it either.

These old folks who use money to prolong their lives, the day their money runs out is the day their lives end. While they still have the last gold coin in their pocket, ending their lives might not be a bad choice.

He waited until now to produce this Vishniak card—was he trying to preserve his friend’s keepsake? But to survive, he produced it nonetheless. Zero’s tone remained indifferent, neither mocking nor praising.

Lu Mingfei glanced at the comic book in Zero’s hand and suddenly shuddered slightly.

“Your Highness, we are but ants before the wealth of the Romanov family.” Odinez’s tone was humble and sincere. “I once again beg for your mercy and grace. From now on, I will do whatever it takes for my family to serve Your Highness.”

“I don’t care about mercy or grace, it’s too expensive, I’m out.” Zero waved his hand.

Okinez was stunned. Zero came on strong but withdrew easily, leaving everyone baffled.

No one raised the price again until Bunin’s gavel fell, at which point Odinez smiled with relief. A girl carrying the last suitcase approached him, handing him a key. He almost impatiently used the key to unlock his handcuffs and cuffed the suitcase to his wrists. No one exchanged pleasantries, no one congratulated Odinez. Bunin silently rose and opened the meeting room door, standing by the door like a butler. The guests hurried away, unwilling to linger even a moment longer. This mysterious auction house was their lifeline, but also the place that drained them dry. Odinez was at the forefront.

Bunin bowed to each departing guest, saying, “This is my last time serving you all. I wish you good health.” The footsteps of Okinez had already faded into the distance.

Series Navigation

<< Dragon Raja 5; Chapter 302: For Your Majesty (117)Dragon Raja 5; Chapter 304: For Your Majesty (119) >>