The Triplets My Ex Never Knew About novel Chapter 217

Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Want to Meet Mr. Lynch?

Soon, the bidding began.

The land was valued in the tens of billions, but this was an auction, so the bidding started at three billion.

Nathaniel Sloan raised his paddle, and Theodore Lancaster was not to be outdone.

This was the first public clash between the Sloan Family heir and the ’illegitimate son,’ and it drew a great deal of attention. Many people were watching covertly.

The bids climbed higher and higher. By the time they reached ten billion, the venue had fallen completely silent, with only the auctioneer’s voice echoing through the hall.

The last bid was Theodore Lancaster’s: ten billion.

Ethan Sloan suddenly spoke up. "Nathaniel, that’s enough."

Nathaniel Sloan glanced at them with a smirk. ’Ten billion is enough? That’s not nearly enough.’

The man casually raised his paddle again, increasing the price by another billion.

Although the Sloan Family had already made their plans, Laura Jennings still seethed. "Nathaniel Sloan! Are you just letting my words go in one ear and out the other?!"

Nathaniel Sloan stared straight ahead, not even sparing Laura Jennings a glance.

Theodore Lancaster, however, chuckled. "It’s alright. Since this is an auction, let’s compete fairly. Let’s continue."

The crowd couldn’t help but exchange glances. They had expected to see Theodore Lancaster, the legitimate son, mercilessly mock Mr. Sloan, the ’illegitimate son.’ They hadn’t expected him to be so magnanimous.

Estelle Lockwood narrowed her eyes and scoffed. ’Fair competition? Let’s not even get into whether Nathaniel’s status as an illegitimate son is a result of the Lancaster and Sloan families joining forces. Just the word "fair" itself...’

On one side is Nathaniel Sloan, who built Evernight International from the ground up without relying on the Sloan Family and is now fighting alone. On the other is Theodore Lancaster, who is backed by two powerful families, the Lancaster Group and the Sloan Group, and has both of them providing funds for him at this auction.

’And he has the audacity to talk about fairness?’

Another round of bidding passed, and the price had already reached fifteen billion.

This price was nearing the limit. Any higher, and the profit margin would be in jeopardy.

But Nathaniel Sloan seemed oblivious, raising his paddle once more.

Ethan Sloan and Laura Jennings both clenched their jaws. Theodore Lancaster paused, then said with ambiguous meaning, "It seems Mr. Sloan’s financial resources are even more substantial than I imagined."

At first glance, the statement seemed fine, but upon reflection, it was dripping with sarcasm.

Liam Sloan couldn’t take it anymore.

Liam Sloan stood up.

Liam Sloan was about to help Nathaniel Sloan fire back a proper retort!

Nathaniel Sloan’s tone was calm and flat. "Then your imagination must not be very vivid."

Liam Sloan: "..."

Liam Sloan sat back down.

Theodore Lancaster probably hadn’t expected Nathaniel Sloan to be so shameless. His gentle expression instantly darkened, but he quickly put his smile back on. "If that’s the case, let’s continue."

"Nathaniel, we’re brothers. We shouldn’t be fighting like this, but I can’t help it. I must have this piece of land."

Nathaniel Sloan remained expressionless.

The bid price climbed even higher, so high that the auctioneer could barely breathe. Someone in the audience secretly calculated that at fifteen billion, there was still a profit to be made. It wasn’t large, but they could break even in a few years.

But if it went over twenty billion, it would definitely be a loss.

At this rate...

Ethan Sloan, of course, knew this as well. He frowned, seeing that Nathaniel Sloan showed no signs of backing down. Looking at the bid, which had already reached eighteen billion, he started to feel uncertain.

With a cold expression, Nathaniel Sloan rose impassively to leave.

Laura Jennings had been holding in a bellyful of anger and finally had an outlet. "Nathaniel, I told you not to compete with Theodore, but you just wouldn’t listen. Look what happened! Sigh, thankfully we’re all family, so Theodore won’t hold it against you!"

Nathaniel Sloan gave Laura Jennings a fleeting glance before leaving with Estelle Lockwood.

Laura Jennings’s face was full of contempt. "He has no ability himself and couldn’t win against our Theodore. Who is he putting on that long face for? So petty and narrow-minded!"

Ethan Sloan had been observing Nathaniel Sloan’s expression the entire time. Seeing that Nathaniel genuinely looked displeased, his own brows finally relaxed a little.

’It seems I was overthinking it. Nathaniel really did want this land, but in the end, he couldn’t afford the price and had to give up helplessly.’

’It makes sense. After all, Theodore has the support of the Sloan Group and the Lancaster Group, while Nathaniel only has himself. It’s perfectly reasonable that he couldn’t afford a price higher than nineteen billion.’

The auction ended, and Laura Jennings felt completely refreshed and invigorated. Theodore had won the land. Now, surely no one would say Theodore wasn’t qualified to inherit the Sloan Group! His vision was so much more farsighted than Nathaniel Sloan’s!

Over at the Lancaster Family, they were also ecstatic to hear that Theodore Lancaster had successfully secured the land. Although Old Mr. Lancaster frowned upon hearing it cost nineteen billion, he ultimately didn’t think it was a major issue.

It just meant that Nathaniel Sloan’s power was indeed more substantial than they had estimated. It was no big deal. How could their century-old prestigious Lancaster Family possibly be outdone by Nathaniel Sloan?

Laura Jennings was in a fantastic mood. "Not only did we get the land this time, but we also gave Mr. Lynch such a grand first-impression gift. I refuse to believe Mr. Lynch won’t support Theodore!"

Even Old Mr. Lancaster had to curry favor with that Mr. Lynch. If Theodore Lancaster could get on his good side, would he still need to worry about Nathaniel Sloan snatching the Sloan Group from him?

Laura Jennings asked Ian Perry, the person in charge of the auction, in a fawning tone, "Mr. Perry, I was wondering if Mr. Lynch is here? Would it be possible to meet him?"

Ian Perry replied expressionlessly, "Mr. Lynch is very busy. He doesn’t have time."

...

「Five minutes later, in a backstage lounge of the auction hall.」

Ian Perry knocked on the door. Upon seeing Nathaniel Sloan, he bowed his head and said respectfully, "Sir."