Irene's smile froze, and her open hand clenched into a fist.
"Four million!" she shouted, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
Another voice, calm and casual, interjected, "Five million."
The crowd erupted in excitement. Everyone was eager for the lot, and bids came flooding in one after another. Irene, however, seemed determined. No matter how much others bid, she simply raised the amount by an additional half a million.
Irene's face grew pale, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She hesitated for a long time before finally forcing out, "Ni... Nine... Nine million."
At that moment, no one else bid, and Irene visibly relaxed.
I looked at her with a hint of pity in my eyes. When no one moved, I raised my paddle and, in a calm voice, said, "Ten million."
The color drained fr
