The auction continued, and the next item was brought forward.
A hush swept through the grand hall of theAuction House.
Jin and Elsa, who had already grown lightheaded from the evening's extravagance, found themselves refocused as the velvet cloth was lifted.
It was a gold bar, stamped with the U.S. Treasury seal, dated from the late 19th century—a fifty-ounce solid gold ingot forged during the California Gold Rush era.Pure gold, yes—but what truly made it priceless was its historical origin. It wasn't just wealth—it was the legacy of America's golden age.
For most people, it was just gold.But Jin and Elsa knew better. They were art historians; they understood the story behind the shine.
Their eyes gleamed, though they didn't speak. Both women turned quietly to Jason, who sat with the calm confidence of a man to whom the entire room bowed.
He had already spent a small fortune tonight. It would be unreasonable to expect him to continue. Or so they thought.
Jason didn't need an introduction to recognize its value. He gave a simple nod toward his assistant, Olivia.
Without hesitation, Olivia lifted her paddle.
By now, more than half of the evening's treasures were already in Jason's hands. His relentless spending had crushed the morale of the entire hall.
When the others saw Olivia's paddle rise again, murmurs rippled through the audience.Surely he's done by now... right?
But then came the call.
"Eight million dollars."
The words from Olivia's lips sent a chill across the room.
The remaining bidders—old money titans and oil magnates—froze. None dared to challenge it further. And so, the Gold Rush Treasury Bar fell into Jason's possession.
The next item made the entire crowd erupt in gasps.
It was an original Norman Rockwell painting, titled "A Quiet Promise."A private wedding gift painted by Rockwell for his wife, known among collectors as one of his most sentimental works.
It had once fetched ninety million dollars at a previous Sotheby's auction. Now, for reasons undisclosed, it had reemerged, with a starting bid of sixty million.
Jin's breath hitched. Elsa clasped her hands. They both knew the cultural and emotional weight behind this painting.A Rockwell wedding piece was a symbol of devotion—a portrait of love captured in time.
Yet, they didn't dare speak this time. The price was beyond comprehension.
Jason, however, didn't hesitate for a second.
A subtle gesture.Olivia raised the paddle once more.
"Eighty million."
The room went still.
Every head turned.He can't be serious.After all that, he still has more?
Some had already begun whispering to staff, pulling out their phones, searching up Jason.
Still, no one wanted to back down. Several seasoned collectors gritted their teeth and raised their bids.
But while others hesitated, calculating every million, Jason's side didn't blink.They played the game with terrifying casualness—adding five, ten, even twenty million at a time as if it were pocket change.
Finally, at one hundred and ten million, Olivia gave the last word.
The gavel struck.
Sold! To bidder number 68—Mr. Jason.
The crowd erupted, half in awe, half in disbelief.
Then came the item that silenced the entire room.
A flawless emerald-cut Colombian emerald bracelet, glowing with a deep, translucent green that seemed alive.
As soon as the velvet case opened, soft gasps swept the hall. Even the auctioneer paused for a second before continuing his speech.
This was a Grade AAA, glass-type Imperial Green emerald—the kind of gem that even the Smithsonian would covet.No lab-grown stone, no replica—just pure, natural rarity.
For women, it was devastatingly beautiful. Jin and Elsa both froze, unable to tear their eyes away.Their hearts beat faster. It wasn't just jewelry—it was temptation crystallized.
"The starting bid," the auctioneer announced, "is eighty million dollars."
A tense silence followed.
Nobody moved.Every collector wanted it. Every heiress dreamed of wearing it.But everyone was afraid—afraid that Jason would move again.
For a moment, it seemed he wouldn't. Jason sat still, his expression unreadable. Some of the bidders began to breathe easier.
Then he looked at Olivia. Just a glance.She understood.
The paddle rose.
"Ninety million."
Several men swore under their breath.They joined the fray, their egos unwilling to surrender, but it was hopeless.
Each time they raised by two or three million, Olivia answered with ten.When they reached 150 million, hands began to lower one by one.
Jason, meanwhile, sat there—unmoved.To him, this wasn't a battle. It was a declaration.
At one hundred eighty million, the emerald bracelet was his.
The auctioneer's hammer struck like thunder.
Sold! To bidder number 68.
Jin and Elsa exhaled for what felt like the first time in minutes.Their hearts were still racing. Their understanding of "rich" had been shattered beyond repair.
They exchanged a glance—half admiration, half disbelief.
First the 19th-century gold bar.Then Rockwell's wedding painting.And now, an emerald bracelet fit for a queen.
And when they thought back to earlier in the night—Jason's other acquisitions: the Victorian bridal tiara, the royal wedding carriage replica, and the heirloom sapphire ring—a thought quietly formed in their minds.
Were these... betrothal gifts?
After all, gold bars had long symbolized dowry wealth.Rockwell's "A Quiet Promise" was literally a wedding piece.And an emerald bracelet was the kind of treasure a man gave to a woman—his woman.
It was enough to make any heart flutter.
Jin: Favorability +5.
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