"250 million!!"
"Crazy! That makes no sense!"
"Don"t you know that the most valuable painting in the world drawn by Pica.s.so is just more than 100 million American Dollar!"
But the offering price was twice time more than that one---many of the guests couldn"t accept or afford such high price at all!
Some other purchasers were keeping silence, as if hesitating.
When Edgar was going to bid for the third time, someone offered firmly, "251 million Euros!"
"260 million Euros."
Efim spoke out this amount, which was over his base line, in an unimaginably calm tone--- why did he have to pay such great fortune? This should be what he earned! But now, he had to be the fee payer!
Besides, more importantly, he was aware that the painting was counterfeit, and the real one was in his hand!
"What a good job you did! Hopefully this is for collection! You"ll never sell it on the market! Don"t forget it cannot be publicly traded!" That man snorted.
But Efim just wanted to quickly finish the battle, rather than quarreling with anyone else. He stood up--- Edgar had finished the final call, "260 million Euros, final... Sold!"
Upon hearing "sold", Efim felt heartache, as well as a relaxed feeling unexpectedly.
"Sir, our rule is to pay first, and then take away the goods." Edgar said slowly, "Of course, don"t worry, a scam will never happen in Typica"s Family, still less in front of so many guests, we won"t do anything that is harmful to our reputation."
"I hope so." Efim snorted, "I don"t have a cheque, let"s deal through electronic bank transfer."
While saying that, he fished out a network key from the inner bag.
He felt he must be crazy to spend 260 million Euros in purchasing a counterfeit!
…
…
"We received the money."
Edgar walked to Urey, whispering to him.
Urey nodded, picking up the painting directly, going to Efim and pa.s.sing it to him, "Take care of it, there will never be the second one."
"Don"t remind me!" Efim snorted.
But at this moment, Urey suddenly stretched out his hand and quickly picked off the bat mask from Efim"s face.
"What are you doing!" Efim was frightened and hurried to fall back.
While Urey just squinted his eyes, saying fis.h.i.+ly, "Nothing, I just wanted to introduce you to the guests, letting them know who"s so lucky to get the treasure. Congratulations!"
At the same time, Urey offered his hand.
"You…"
Efim"s face suddenly turned awkward--- because he heard widespread discussion coming from the guests!
"Oh, is he Efim? The upstart from Las Paddyskaya mine lot..."
Obviously, someone had recognized him.
Efim was conscious that the whole underground world of Moscow would know that he kept "The Nameless Maiden".
But he didn"t intend to launch an attack here; he just grabbed Urey"s palm emotionlessly but powerfully, lowering his voice to ask him, like a mad beast, "I have bought the painting, what game are you playing?"
"Game?" Urey shook his head, laughing, "There"s no game, I just want to let Mr. Efim receive the picture... instead of F&C, who could be easily imitated."
"You have the guts."
Efim showed a foxy smile, picking up this painting and turning to look at his followers, gnas.h.i.+ng teeth, "Let"s go!"
Efim pushed open the door with his guys--- even though other guests sensed a weird atmosphere, but n.o.body would like to lend a hand if the contradiction was between the upstart from Las Paddyskaya mine lot and the Typica Family---a madman of that dealt with firearms.
"Ok, everybody, I"ve prepared some tasty food and wine. The painting has been purchased, but..." Urey smiled faintly, "Let"s continue the dance party that we didn"t finish several days ago."
…
…
But actually, few people would intend to stay there... the guests that didn"t leave might want to make friends with the Typica Family. After all, it was good to have more friends.
Interpersonal connection was a decisive factor in the society, no matter the white or the black.
"260 Euros, Tut." Vera watched the whole process of the auction. She tidied her skirt, saying indifferently, "No wonder you didn"t hope to see any accident happen in the auction, due to such a sky-high price."
If she were the sponsor, she wouldn"t hope to see any incident either... She didn"t have a strong desire to money; but at the same time, she wouldn"t refuse it.
Those who claimed that money was just a number after they got to a certain level, and it"d be enough if one could afford their daily expense, were fooling ordinary people.
How about sending them to slums? If they fell from extravagant life down to simpleness and crudeness, they"d withdraw their words.
"Is Ms. Vera going to stay for the next banquet?" Boss Luo asked such a question, avoiding continuing the last subject.
"No, I don"t want to be with guy who likes being deliberately mysterious." Vera said stonily, "Now that I didn"t destroy your auction, I should be free to leave, right?"
So, she left with Vicar.
But she couldn"t get rid of the feel that a gaze was boring into her from her back, until she totally got out of his sight.
Unconsciously, she had been drenched by sweat.
Finally, after getting on the car, Vera suddenly clutched at her heart and panted heavily, as if being attacked by asthma.
"Vera, are you ok..." Vicar turned anxious, promptly rummaging out a small bottle---and then, he poured out some small pills.
"Don"t take too much..." Vera pushed away Vicar"s hand, and tried best to bear the thing appeared in her body and made her feel uncomfortable, "I just overstrained my nerves today... and I"ll be ok after having a rest. Let"s leave soon before it gets dark... the moon will be very round in the evening... "
…
…
In the manor bas.e.m.e.nt... Victor and Yelgo had been trapped there.
When Yelgo was trying her best to find a way to get out of the terrible environment--- the bas.e.m.e.nt door was opened again.
But this time, there were more than one person standing there, and they didn"t come to send food.
They went straight to Victor"s side, untying him, but at the same time holding him down.
Victor frowned with a low voice, "Where are you going to take me to? And do you know what you are doing? You are challenging the police in Moscow!"
But they were like dumb men; not intending to reply Victor at all, rudely sending him away under guard.
Therefore, Victor was brought to the present owner of the manor, and pressed forcibly pressed on one side of the long table.
Urey sat at the other side of the table while cutting his steak on the plate.
"Mr. Policeman, take it easy." Urey bit a small piece of beef and sipped wine before laughing, "I don"t want to hurt you."
"Don"t you? It goes against the law to take a policeman into custody for more than 48 hours." Victor sneered.
Although he was in a bad condition, being brought to a dining table might mean they"d have to go through negotiation to solve some problems in the next stage.
He had to firm his determination, so that he would hold advantages in the next conversation.
"Against the law?" Urey shook his head. He put his hands together, giving out a devout look,"Mr. Victor might have misunderstood it. I think I will be a good citizen. As for the reason, it"s definitely because I"ll provide you with the clues about finding back "The Nameless Maiden"."
"What?" Victor frowned... He couldn"t guess his intention after his words.
At this time, Urey suddenly clapped his palms.
Steward Edgar, who was standing next to him turned around lightly, turned on the projector in the living room.
"Look, there are some interesting matters in it." Urey smiled.
Victor held his horses to watch the film played on the projector. First, he heard an angry voice.
"What? You want me to purchase "The Nameless Maiden"?"
"That s.l.u.t... it turns out she betrayed me."
The scene had been suddenly changed to a room where there were many people wearing masks, but the voice was still from the man wearing a bat mask.
His voice.
"250 million euros. Those who can afford a higher price can take it away!"
The whole frames were extremely clear, from the beginning to the last scene when the man"s mask had been torn off and his real appearance had been revealed.
"This is... Efim?" Victor couldn"t help knitting his brow.
The reason he could recognize Efim was not only because he was a merchant prince, but he was also a politician.
"What do you want to do?"
"I will give it to you and you just need to help me ruin Efim"s reputation utterly. Meanwhile you can also get back the ancient famous painting, and make a big contribution."
Victor sneered, "You want to borrow my knife to wipe out Efim? Do you think I would a.s.sociate with an evil person? If I help you, I"ll just catch a b.a.s.t.a.r.d but also help another b.a.s.t.a.r.d reap the benefits!"
"In that case, I"m afraid it"ll be too hard for Mr. Victor and even your partner to walk out of the manor..." Urey said with slight pity, "Oh by the way, does Mr. Victor have any families? Parents, wife and children?"
Bang--!!
Victor pounded the table, standing up in rage; however, he was pressed down roughly by the two men behind him.
He couldn"t help gnas.h.i.+ng his teeth and saying in anger, "You son of a b*tch!!!"
"No ..." Urey shook his head, saying faintly, "I am nothing more than a person, who had nothing at all, and turned into a demon…"