Money Blinded Their Eyes

This price hike of fifty million immediately drew the attention of the other guests to the bidder.

When they discovered that the bidder was Kassadin, most of them abandoned the idea.

However, several people who had originally intended to bid on the island followed with their own offers.

"Two hundred and sixty million."

A tall, heavily built man with a fierce face raised his paddle.

"Two hundred and seventy million."

"Two hundred and eighty million."

"Three hundred million."

As this man raised the bid, the other three followed suit.

Anyone daring to attend an event like this might not be rich enough to rival a nation, but they were all worth at least hundreds of millions.

Though they feared Kassadin, properly developing this island could bring tremendous profits and elevate their wealth to another level.

Moreover, there was plenty of room for under-the-table dealings in the profits generated by the island. Naturally, they were unwilling to give it up so easily.

Seeing these people dare to bid against Kassadin, everyone else settled in to watch the show.

"Three hundred and fifty million."

Harvey felt neither anger nor anything else at their bids. He simply made another offer.

He intended to establish the Void Cult on Xandar, so his reputation could not be too poor. At an event like this, fair competition meant the highest bidder won.

Using force to resolve matters merely gave Harvey more options than most people. But if money could settle something more easily, he would definitely use money.

Yet the moment the bid of three hundred and fifty million was announced, the four people who had intended to compete immediately gave up.

Their target had been to buy the island for four hundred million, then invest another three to four hundred million in its development.

Advertising, greasing the right palms, and other follow-up expenses would cost at least tens of millions more. They had estimated that they could acquire it, develop it, and begin operations for under a billion.

Though the island’s long-term profits would be substantial, Kassadin seemed determined to obtain it.

Not only would an excessively high price make the return period far too long, but continuing to raise the bid might offend Kassadin. It was not worth it.

Every ten seconds, the auctioneer lightly struck the hammer in his hand, the sharp crack echoing through the entire auction hall.

"Bidder 634 has offered three hundred and fifty million, once."

"Bidder 634 has offered three hundred and fifty million, twice."

"Bidder 634 has offered three hundred and fifty million, three times. Congratulations to bidder 634. Please find time to sign the documents backstage."

A full thirty seconds passed without anyone else making another bid.

Everyone attending this auction had to undergo an asset check. Only those worth more than five hundred million could apply to participate.

Therefore, there was no need to question whether the buyer could afford to pay.

Among those attending were business tycoons and wealthy heirs from prominent families, but regardless of their identities, rich people understood how to avoid disaster, seek fortune, and weigh the pros and cons.

The island held long-term value, but that depended on whom they were competing against.

Kassadin had yet to cause any scandal in the Milky Way Galaxy that would provoke widespread condemnation, but that did not mean he lacked the ability to do so.

What people feared most was having money while no longer being alive. The wealthier someone was, the more they tried to keep themselves away from danger.

Bidding against Kassadin just now had already meant actively approaching danger.

Now, they could only hope that Kassadin would not want to bid on every plot of land he saw.

Harvey was somewhat surprised that he had bought it for only three hundred and fifty million.

Although cosmic currency had slightly greater purchasing power than dollars, purchasing an entire island for only three hundred and fifty million still surprised him.

However, since he had bought what he wanted, Harvey did not dwell on it and stood up.

Seeing Mr. Kassadin spend an astronomical sum to purchase an island and then prepare to leave, Sonia hurriedly rose and linked her arm through Mr. Kassadin’s as they departed together.

Seeing the troublesome and untouchable Kassadin leave immediately to sign the documents after buying the island, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.

However, they also paid more attention to the female companion beside Kassadin.

Since Kassadin had not been on Xandar for long, the women he brought with him were generally people signing on his behalf.

Perhaps Kassadin was merely using Sonia, but Sonia could also be Kassadin’s lover. Either way,

it meant that Sonia had a connection to Kassadin and would, at the very least, receive Kassadin’s protection.

The other women present also noticed the looks in the eyes of their benefactors or bosses. As they watched Sonia leave, their hearts filled with jealousy.

Led by a waiter, Harvey and Sonia entered a private room. Though it was called a private room, it was still spacious and brightly lit.

"Mr. Kassadin, before you make payment and formally complete the signing, there is a rule we need to explain."

"Because you have not lived on Xandar for long enough."

"You need to find a Xandarian to sign on your behalf before you can obtain this island."

"If you do not currently have a suitable candidate, you must first pay half the price. We can give you two months to find someone."

"If you are willing to pay a handling fee of one million, we can also help you find a suitable proxy signer."

In the room, a handsome man with slicked-back hair and a formal suit rose from his chair. He gave a slight bow and spoke with a smile.

"I looked into it before coming here. She can sign on my behalf."

Harvey was not surprised by the rule and answered directly.

"It is best that Mr. Kassadin has already learned about it."

"However, please be sure to believe that my next actions carry no intention of offending you."

"I am merely following the rules, so that the Nova Corps will not come looking for you in the future, and so that we do not become entangled in trouble as well."

Upon hearing Harvey’s words, the man’s smile became humble and serious as he spoke.

Harvey nodded in approval.

"Beautiful miss, we need you to provide your identification information."

"We need to investigate your background to ensure there are no issues and that everything is foolproof."

Having received permission, the man gave Sonia a gentleman’s bow and asked politely.

Normally, a gentleman’s bow would involve taking a lady’s hand, but the female companions brought by these important figures and wealthy people were either mistresses, goddaughters, or the like.

They were considered taboo possessions of the wealthy, so naturally, one could not touch them casually.

"Alright."

Sonia responded, opened the bag she had brought with her, and handed over the identification documents she had prepared long ago.

Though she had never acted as a proxy signer before, she had learned the entire process through what she had seen and heard from guests and colleagues at the Celebrity Hotel.

After seeing the documents, the man turned around, took out a device in front of Kassadin, and began scanning them.

Immediately afterward, Sonia’s background, residence, whether she owned any fixed assets, what work she had done, and whether she had ever had a criminal record from childhood to adulthood were all displayed.

"Miss Sonia, thank you for your cooperation."

"After verification, your identity qualifies you to sign on someone else’s behalf."

"Therefore, once Mr. Kassadin makes the payment, you may sign your name."

After reviewing the documents and intelligence, the handsome man with slicked-back hair turned around and spoke with a smile.

In the beginning, many women at the Celebrity Hotel had been ignorant and inexperienced when they helped wealthy people or important figures sign on their behalf.

Only one-third of them were still living well now.

As for the remaining two-thirds, most had either gone to prison or exhausted every means to repay debts. Some had even gone mad or died outright.

Thus, in recent years, far fewer women from the Celebrity Hotel had helped sign on behalf of others. Usually, one appeared only every few years.

And they were generally newcomers who had only recently joined the Celebrity Hotel, lacking experience and becoming utterly intoxicated by vast amounts of money and temptation.

He had never expected to see a villa manager who had worked at the Celebrity Hotel for more than ten years come to act as a proxy signer today.

It could only be said that even a worldly woman could be blinded by words and money.

Recommendations appreciated.