Chapter 8: The Essence of the Auction

"Sorry, this Silver Coin is very important to me."

Lu Chen snapped the brocade box shut and placed it directly back into his personal space.

He cast a somewhat wary glance at Laimu before continuing to pick up his Cigar.

"Of course, I completely understand you. We at Crown will offer a figure you cannot refuse, for instance, ten million pounds?"

Laimu smiled, took an elegant puff of his Cigar, and shifted his posture, crossing his legs in the other direction.

"Mr. Laimu, I think another little trinket is more suitable for appearing at an auction."

Lu Chen smiled and pulled a piece of Moissanite out from his bosom again.

Yes!

He hadn't wanted to do this originally, but now...

The Silver Coin was produced by the mysterious small square box; it was the only thing in his personal space that Lu Chen could not figure out!

Since Laimu wanted it so badly, the behavior itself expressed its extraordinariness to Lu Chen!

Not a single one of these Silver Coins could be allowed to leak out!

"Oh? Is it that kind of flawless diamond you traded with Director Wei Er and the others?"

Laimu was instantly captivated by Lu Chen's words, an irrepressible look of anticipation appearing on his face.

Even the Cigar in his hand paused for a moment.

"This diamond is not the diamond chips sold to Crown previously, but a 35.8-carat diamond."

Lu Chen turned the brocade box toward Laimu and opened it gently.

Although it had no value in Lu Chen's heart, at this moment, it was the most dazzling existence in the appraisal room!

Laimu put his white gloves and monocle back on, looking at the diamond with an obsessed gaze.

"This diamond comes from the same vein as the previous ones; after our family discovered it, we kept it hidden until now..."

Lu Chen watched Laimu's expression, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly; he did not remain silent, but instead made up a story on the fly.

From Laimu's words, Lu Chen had already discovered their blind spot.

That was the belief that the diamond was real and natural!

This naturally provided Lu Chen with an opportunity!

Otherwise... he would inevitably be backed into a corner by Crown, either having to turn hostile or sell it to Crown at a higher price.

But no matter what he did, he would offend Crown to the death.

This was not a result Lu Chen wanted to see.

And now, everything was for the best!

If Crown auctioned off the diamond tonight, they would naturally become Lu Chen's most loyal allies!

The name Lu Sanbao would not need to be discarded immediately; instead, it could be used to conduct business!

However, the money still had to be transferred; Moissanite was always a significant ticking time bomb, and as for where or when it would explode, Lu Chen had no idea.

"Too perfect! Its fire really is different from the diamond fire we previously knew!"

Laimu carefully shifted the angle of the diamond, watching the brilliance reflected from the diamond's different refractive surfaces.

It was practically like a rainbow!

More brilliant and charming than a real diamond!

Of course, Lu Chen would not expose this lie; instead, he took a leisurely puff of his Cigar.

The smoke looked even more dazzling under the illumination of the Moissanite.

Yet, a trace of coldness appeared in Lu Chen's eyes.

"Ten million pounds is simply unworthy of its value!"

Laimu put the Moissanite back into the brocade box with lingering attachment and carefully closed it.

"Believe me, tonight's auction will be the most spectacular one in history! Given its uniqueness, you can absolutely give it a name."

Laimu looked at Lu Chen with a serious face, as if it would be a mistake if he didn't agree.

"How about 'Rainbow'? Look at its fire, doesn't it look like a rainbow?"

The corners of Lu Chen's mouth curled higher and higher; if the occasion hadn't been inappropriate, he would have wanted to laugh out loud.

But he knew clearly that in 3 years' time, the testing for Moissanite would definitely succeed!

At that time, it was destined to detonate this earth-shattering bomb.

Regardless of whether it was him or Crown, they would likely be unable to withstand the fallout.

Not wanting to think that far ahead, Lu Chen picked up his champagne and clinked glasses with Laimu: "Happy cooperation."

"Your suggestion is wonderful! It really is as brilliant as a rainbow!"

Laimu chuckled as he clinked glasses, carefully placed the brocade box into the safe, took out the contract, and signed his name on the party-of-the-first-part line.

Lu Chen took the fountain pen and signed "Lu Sanbao."

"By the way, to add, all my funds need to be converted into US dollars."

Lu Chen added, writing it out in English on the contract while he was at it.

"No problem, we at Crown exist to serve our clients."

Laimu agreed without the slightest hesitation.

"The exchange fee will be covered by Crown, and at the same time, we will lower our commission on your auction item from 15% to 10%."

"Thank you for your generosity."

Lu Chen smiled and did not refuse Laimu's kindness.

After exiting the appraisal room, Manager Wang walked over at the first opportunity.

"Did you achieve your goal?"

Wang Jingli glanced around and asked cautiously.

"Is there anything interesting at the auction?"

Lu Chen did not answer, but silently observed everything in the banquet hall.

"Do you know why the threshold for the auction is 1 million Hong Kong dollars?"

Wang Jingli scanned his surroundings before speaking cautiously.

Wang Jingli bringing up the threshold again made Lu Chen understand immediately!

This was intentional by Crown!

It was likely to make those small and medium-sized clients an indispensable part of the Crown system.

Large clients are naturally what every bank strives to win over, but not everyone is qualified to participate in the auction.

It has never been just about the auction itself.

"It's just to give those small families a chance; what if someone like you happens to take a fancy to them?"

Seeing that Lu Chen did not answer, Wang Jingli gave the answer somewhat sheepishly.

This made Lu Chen's eyes narrow, and the hand holding his Cigar became a little unsteady!

Too wicked!

Crown is truly devious!

They have simply seized the lifeblood of those who want to obtain an opportunity!

This is their true method!

However, the corners of Lu Chen's mouth curled up slightly; it was perfect, as he was currently lacking assistance himself.

What if...

Lu Chen's gaze also became sharper and more composed.

"You're not wrong; come to my room after it ends."

Lu Chen smiled, casually picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, and sat in an empty corner.

Only Wang Jingli would occasionally introduce the people passing by him.

Wang Jingli had this information at his fingertips, as if it were all stored in his mind.

Lu Chen held his Cigar, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd from time to time, but he did not find anyone who could catch his attention.

Either their backgrounds were deep, or their family assets were quite abundant...

And among that group of selected people, some had massive families, while others had impure motives...

None of them were the targets Lu Chen wanted to cooperate with.

Just as Lu Chen was feeling somewhat disappointed, Wang Jingli tapped him lightly.

Subconsciously using an extremely low voice, his tone seemed to reveal a trace of fear and greed.

"Mr. Lu, look, that lady who just walked in over there..."

Lu Chen looked in the direction Wang Jingli indicated.

A woman wearing an evening gown with exquisite makeup, but whose face revealed a cold and glamorous air, walked in.

She slowly scanned the room, her eyes carrying a trace of indifference and vigilance.

The surrounding guests subconsciously held their breath, their eyes darting away, looking as if they wanted to watch but dared not.

This made Lu Chen feel a hint of interest.

"Mr. Lu, stop looking, she is a rose with thorns..."

Wang Jingli's teeth seemed to be chattering, and he hurriedly tugged at Lu Chen with a low, stumbling voice.

Yet Lu Chen felt her gaze linger on him for an instant; an illusion of being stared at by some giant beast rose in his heart, giving him the feeling of wanting to flee the auction.