"Twelve billion… directly?"
Everyone stared at Ye Ling in shock, their minds struggling to process the information.
Raising the starting bid by six hundred million, all the way to the market's highest valuation, the sheer audacity of his spending instantly stunned everyone present!
The wealthy families who had been contemplating bidding for the Phoenix Eye now abandoned the idea. They scrutinized Ye Ling, trying to ascertain his true identity.
"Haven't seen this young man in Jiang City before? Such generous spending, he must hail from a prominent clan. Perhaps from another province?"
"I find him somewhat familiar, as if I've seen him somewhere, but I can't recall where."
"Twelve billion for half a bead? Even with money, one shouldn't squander it like this. Isn't he just a prodigal son?"
The crowd's curiosity about Ye Ling's background grew, and discussions erupted.
His immediate bid of twelve billion indicated Ye Ling's determination to acquire the Phoenix Eye. Now, with no knowledge of Ye Ling's background, bidding against him might offend the power behind him, leading to a loss greater than any gain.
In everyone's eyes, ten billion was the absolute maximum for the Phoenix Eye.
Jiang Wen Chun's hired plants in the venue exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether to continue bidding.
They were seated among the general audience. If the prominent families were fiercely competing, they could occasionally raise the price to blend in.
However, with only Ye Ling bidding, and his opening bid being twelve billion, any bid from them would immediately reveal their identities to any discerning observer!
A person who could easily produce twelve billion would certainly not be seated in the general section!
"Mr. Jiang, what do we do now? The brothers dare not bid!"
In the backstage area, a middle-aged man said gravely to Jiang Wen Chun, clearly having not anticipated such a situation.
Jiang Wen Chun's expression turned grim. "Go and check his account. Not everyone can afford twelve billion. As far as I know, besides the Ye family in the capital, there isn't another Ye family in the country with such financial capacity!"
"He might just be here to cause trouble and can't actually afford this much money!"
The middle-aged man hesitated, "But Manager Wu gave him a black card earlier. If our Sky Auction House checks his account…"
"Then revoke the black card!" Jiang Wen Chun, convinced Ye Ling was bluffing, ordered sternly.
"But…" Seeing Jiang Wen Chun's near-maniacal resolve, the middle-aged man's expression soured.
If Ye Ling was indeed bluffing, they could use it as an opportunity to confront him. But if Ye Ling's assets were sufficient and he possessed their Sky Auction House's black card, then this action would undoubtedly be self-sabotaging!
With prominent families gathered today, if the Sky Auction House caused such a scene, they might as well close shop. Without credibility, no one would patronize them.
"Why aren't you going yet?"
Jiang Wen Chun's reprimand startled the middle-aged man. Ultimately, Jiang Wen Chun was the superior here. Unable to delay further, he hurried out of the backstage and into the venue.
The atmosphere in the venue was peculiar. Everyone was eager to investigate Ye Ling's identity, while the host on stage was also stunned by Ye Ling's bid, momentarily frozen.
An absolute silence descended.
The middle-aged man strode forward, took a deep breath, and addressed Ye Ling, "Hello, sir. We need to verify your account."
"Mr. Zhang, what is the meaning of this?" Du Ya Meng's gaze turned icy as she saw Zhang Shao Han approach to check Ye Ling's account.
"Doesn't Young Master Ye possess your Sky Auction House's black card, which should have an unlimited credit limit?" Du Ya Meng said coldly. "If you now check Young Master Ye's account, aren't you slapping yourselves in the face?"
The surrounding socialites nodded in agreement upon hearing Du Ya Meng's words.
Setting aside whether Ye Ling possessed a black card, even if he intended to disrupt the auction, he wouldn't have started with such a high bid that scared everyone away. If no one else bid, Ye Ling would have to pay substantial compensation, or even face imprisonment, if his account lacked twelve billion. Such a bluff offered no benefit whatsoever.
Furthermore, several socialites present also held black cards. They had believed they enjoyed special privileges, only to witness the Sky Auction House inspecting the account of another black card holder right before their eyes…
In that case, what was the use of their black cards?
Sensing the hostile gazes from around him, Zhang Shao Han felt immense pressure. Mustering his courage, he said to Ye Ling, "Your black card was originally meant for Young Master Lu Shao Feng. Wu Zi Jin acted on her own initiative to issue it, and it is not valid."
"We suspect you are intentionally driving up the price and disrupting the auction. We request your cooperation."
Hearing Zhang Shao Han's words, Ye Ling glanced towards the backstage, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes. It was clear this was Jiang Wen Chun deliberately looking for trouble.
However, this also provided Ye Ling with an opportunity. If he wished to see Jiang Wen Chun dead, it would only take a thought. But for Ye Ling, Jiang Wen Chun's death was not revenge. He wanted the Jiang family to be ruined, for Jiang Wen Chun to descend into hell and experience utter despair before dying. At the very least, Jiang Wen Chun's death should be more agonizing than Jiang Tian Hao's.
Ye Ling asked with a smile, "And if I have sufficient assets to purchase this Phoenix Eye, what then?"
Zhang Shao Han replied respectfully, "I will immediately apologize to you, sir."
Ye Ling shook his head. "That is not enough."
Zhang Shao Han: "Then what are your terms, sir?"
Ye Ling's gaze was distant. "Your suspicion of me today has greatly damaged my reputation. Your apology alone is far from sufficient."
"If you truly have twelve billion, I will personally apologize to you!" Jiang Wen Chun stepped forward and announced loudly, his voice booming and immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Jiang Wen Chun is out!"
"He is the current chairman of the Jiang Group and the future head of the Jiang family. For him to apologize to a junior, the weight is significant."
"I still don't think it's enough. The black card was issued by them, and now they want to check it. What do they take us for? Does the Jiang family rule Jiang City?"
With Jiang Wen Chun's appearance, another wave of discussion swept through the venue. Compared to juniors like Ye Ling and Du Ya Meng within their circles, Jiang Wen Chun was considered an elder, a pillar of the current era. In this venue, apart from a very few elders, everyone greeted Jiang Wen Chun as a senior.
Ye Ling smiled at Jiang Wen Chun, still shaking his head. "Still not enough…"
"Then what do you want?" Jiang Wen Chun's expression darkened. However, he increasingly believed Ye Ling was bluffing. Only those without confidence would keep making demands, hoping others would back down.
A smile flickered in Ye Ling's eyes. He propped his cheek on one hand and said, "I want you to… kneel, kowtow, and bark like a dog."
A gasp!
Ye Ling's words sent the entire venue into an uproar! For the eldest son of the Jiang family to kneel, kowtow, and bark like a dog… To this day, no one in Jiang City had dared to insult Jiang Wen Chun in such a manner!
Too arrogant!