I leaned back leisurely. "I just placed a bid of twenty million and one. Does the mighty President Mancini plan to raise the stakes?"
I knew him well; his pride was his greatest weakness. True to form, the moment he realized I was still competing for the painting, his expression darkened.
"Azalea, I advise you not to refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit."
I arched an eyebrow, waving a hand lazily.
"Oh? So the great chairman of Mancini Group is backing down over a mere twenty million?"
His temper flared instantly, just as I expected.
"Fine! Let's see how long you can keep up this act!"
"Thirty million!"
"Thirty million… and one."
The muscles in Clyde's jaw twitched as he shot me a fierce glare.
"Fifty million!"
As the numbers soared higher and higher, a thin sheen of sweat gathered on his forehead. I chuckled softly, my voice slow and deliberate.
"Clyde, since we're all here for charity, why not go all in?"
"I bid one billion."
The moment my words fell, the entire venue erupted into chaos.
Although everyone present was a billionaire, having a billion in net worth was a far cry from holding a billion in liquid cash.