The affluent gathering in Mayfair Lagoon buzzed with animated gossip. It was the first time they had seen such a dramatic confrontation between bidders. A man of Derek Shepherd's standing accused an ordinary bodyguard of being a fraudster.
Derek was not to be blamed since the Chief Auctioneer, Phillips Sotheby, himself harbored serious doubts. The way Victor Damone had conducted himself raised a lot of red flags.
First of all, Victor was a mere bodyguard. He looked too young to have achieved any level of success in the business world. Finally, his bid of six hundred million dollars for the seven-gems royal gown sounded unrealistic. Not even a trillionaire would spend such an exorbitant amount on an auction.
Sotheby's accountant, Miller, stood before Victor's table with an extended hand.
