Chapter 767 - 775: Snatching What Others Like

"Gentlemen, please wait."

When they reached an unmanned corner, James Black and Alexander Forest were called to a halt by an unfamiliar woman.

Alexander turned his head to look, and whispered to James, "It’s that woman who was competing with you for the jade hairpin earlier."

Although James had not looked back at the person during the auction, he had recognized her from her voice.

"This must be President Forest, right? And how might I address this gentleman?" The woman, clad in a red dress, stood before James and extended her hand, "Hello, my name is Amber Edwards, my father is the current Chairman of the Francis Group."

"My friend, surnamed Black," Alexander responded, not overly enthused by her self-introduction, despite the Francis Real Estate Group being ranked among the top ten domestically, "Do you need something from us?"

Amber nodded, her eyes fixed on James.

Listening to Alexander merely introduce his friend by his surname, without disclosing more information, Amber almost thought this man was mute or unable to speak if she hadn’t just heard him talking with Alexander close behind her. Given his silence, she found it difficult to believe he actually could speak.

Being close in the main venue, Amber knew that although it had been Alexander raising the bidding card all the time, the person who actually won the auction item was his friend, James.

A mysterious man, his low profile excessive.

Nobody in the entire room recognized him.

"I would like to discuss something with Mr. Black. Earlier inside, I was worried that continuing to bid against you might lead to hard feelings, and it’s easy to become too impulsive, so I gave up on raising the price. But, I am truly very fond of that hairpin, so, I’d like to earnestly ask if Mr. Black would consider parting with it—I won’t let you suffer a loss," Amber quickly said. "I’ll offer 8.5 million to buy it from you. What do you think?"

Amber thought to herself, making a quick five hundred thousand profit for anyone would be a lucrative, zero-cost deal.

She was even determined in her heart that the hairpin would be hers.

Unexpectedly, the man’s expression suddenly turned cold, and he responded directly to her.

"Not for sale."

With that, Mr. Black continued his strides forward.

Clearly, the extra five hundred thousand she offered didn’t tempt him in the slightest.

"Mr. Black, the price is negotiable," Amber bit her teeth and followed, running ahead to block the path of Alexander and James, persisting, "Otherwise, Mr. Black, would you name your price? It’s said that a gentleman doesn’t capture the love of others. I truly, truly adore that hairpin."

James Black had always been short on patience with unrelated people, and even this woman before him—who was considered attractive, from a good family, and well-proportioned in the eyes of others—had drained him of all patience by blocking his way.

"Move aside." James’s voice now clearly carried a note of displeasure, "Not for sale."

Alexander stepped forward quickly, smilingly addressing Amber, "Miss Edwards, you were the one who gave up in there on your own. It doesn’t seem quite right to come out here and block someone like this, does it? In this world, it’s not just you who likes that hairpin. In an auction, it’s about fair competition, and besides, do you really think someone who can readily bid 8 million lacks money?"

No sooner had Alexander finished speaking than the auction company’s personnel approached to greet him and James. Upon seeing the personnel, Amber said no more, for after all, private transactions of this nature were rather unsavory.