Would You Consider Letting It Go

Sebastian was utterly certain that any woman would be thrilled by such an extravagant gesture.

If Evelyn discovered that Alexander had placed a bid on an exquisitely expensive gemstone necklace for her, she would undoubtedly be deeply moved. Perhaps enough to begin developing feelings for him.

As Sebastian considered this, his own pulse quickened with a surge of excitement. It mirrored the thrill of a potential new romance.

Over the years, while Sebastian had navigated various relationships, Alexander had remained resolutely single.

As Alexander's closest friend, Sebastian felt a personal responsibility to act as a matchmaker in his quest for love.

Alexander had to concede that Sebastian's logic was sound.

After all, Evelyn had thoughtfully gifted him clothing, which he had genuinely appreciated. Reciprocating with a significant gift seemed only right.

His decision made, Alexander gave a firm nod. "Alright. I will place my bid on that necklace before we depart tonight."

The auction continued. Eventually, the gemstone necklace was announced, the bidding opening at a staggering five million dollars.

As the necklace was unveiled, a wave of admiration swept the room. The eyes of many women lit up with keen anticipation. They gripped their bidding paddles with renewed determination.

"Six million dollars!"

"Eight million dollars!"

"Ten million dollars!"

"Twenty million dollars!"

"Thirty million dollars!"

"Fifty million dollars!"

The bidding war escalated rapidly, pushing the price to astonishing heights. The atmosphere in the venue became electric, charged with the tension of immense sums being pledged with a simple gesture.

Suddenly, a clear, assertive voice cut through the buzz. A female executive, adorned in a bespoke, shimmering gown, raised her paddle high. "One hundred million dollars!" she declared, her tone laced with both amusement and steely resolve. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have fallen utterly in love with this piece. I would be most grateful if you would concede this bid to me. I am determined to have it."

A hush fell over the room as all attention shifted to her.

It was Victoria Ashworth, a figure synonymous with immense wealth and a renowned connoisseur of fine jewelry. Her presence and her audacious bid created a palpable wave of hesitation through the crowd.

Recognizing her, nearly everyone decided against challenging Victoria, whether out of respect or simply lacking the means to compete with such an amount.

"One hundred million dollars, going once! Going twice!"

Just as the auctioneer prepared to finalize the sale, a triumphant smile began to form on Victoria's lips. Her confidence peaked as she anticipated her certain victory.

The room seemed to collectively accept that the necklace would soon be hers.

However, in a stunning twist, a calm yet authoritative voice resonated from a private box on the second floor. "One billion dollars."

The amount sent a shockwave through the audience. A cacophony of gasps and frantic murmurs erupted instantly. Heads swiveled, eyes wide with sheer disbelief.

"One billion? Did I hear that correctly? It must be a mistake!"

The whispers intensified, buzzing with speculation and shock.

The auctioneer froze, his gavel hovering mid-air as he processed the unprecedented escalation. In his long career, he had never witnessed such a leap—from one hundred million directly to one billion.

Alexander's voice echoed crisply from the luxurious box, cutting cleanly through the murmuring crowd. "You heard correctly. One billion dollars."

A stunned silence enveloped the room as everyone absorbed the magnitude of the bid. Someone was genuinely offering a billion dollars for the necklace.

The gemstone necklace, resplendent under the spotlight, was undoubtedly a masterpiece of craftsmanship, sparkling with an ethereal beauty. Yet, even with its allure, a price tag of one billion dollars placed it in a realm of opulence far beyond its intrinsic value.

This audacious bid instantly transformed the necklace into a symbol of unparalleled luxury.

Incredulous whispers spread like wildfire. "Who in the world possesses that kind of wealth? To casually offer a billion dollars... the bidder must be phenomenally rich!"

Amid the growing chatter, someone near the stage responded with awe. "The bidder is the enigmatic founder of Aethelgard Industries."

Murmurs of recognition and astonishment buzzed louder.

The founder of Aethelgard Industries was a titan who had dominated global wealth rankings for years. His financial power was the stuff of legend.

The auctioneer, his eyes gleaming with excitement, seized the moment. Representing the auction house, he was eager to maximize this spectacle—not just for the substantial commission but for the immense prestige it would bring.

He turned his attention to Victoria, whose face was a mask of conflicted emotions.

"Ms. Ashworth, your admiration for this piece is evident to all. With the bid now standing at one billion dollars, what will be your response?"

Victoria clenched her fists, her nails pressing into her palms. This necklace was the very reason she had attended the auction, a piece she had passionately desired to claim.

But one billion dollars? The price represented a chasm she simply could not cross.

A mixture of desperation and faint hope surfaced in her eyes. She cast a pleading look towards Alexander's box. "Sir, I have coveted this necklace for a very long time. Would you consider withdrawing your bid? I would be deeply in your debt. I would gladly make it up to you, perhaps with a personal visit to Aethelgard Industries to express my utmost gratitude."

From the shadows of his box, Alexander's response was firm, yet carried a note of finality. "I must decline, Ms. Ashworth. This necklace is intended as a special gift for my wife."