549: Chapter 544 is not just a number, but dignity.

The atmosphere in the venue shifted from initial anticipation to sympathy, ridicule, and the feeling of watching a spectacle.

Those who had originally come hoping to snag a bargain now became cautious, afraid of attracting trouble upon themselves.

Wu Dong watched from upstairs, thoroughly pleased.

This was exactly the result he wanted.

He not only wanted to acquire the Victoria brand but also to do so at the lowest possible cost and in the most humiliating manner possible.

He wanted the entire Hong Kong City to know the consequences of offending him, Wu Dong.

His gaze occasionally flickered toward Shen Yan in the front row.

That man had not raised his paddle even once from beginning to end.

He was like a statue, coldly observing everything.

A strange sense of irritation arose in Wu Dong's heart.

He disliked this feeling of being out of control.

"Mr. Lin, it seems our friend from the mainland is just here to watch the excitement," Wu Dong attempted to mask his inner unease with a tone of contempt.

Shark Lin took a sip of tea and said slowly,

"A dog that doesn't bark is the one that bites."

His eyes, like a snake's, were fixed tightly on Shen Yan's back.

The auction was already drawing to a close.

He Wanqing's heart sank to the bottom.

She felt as if she could hear her family's prestige being shattered with every strike of the gavel.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she resolutely held them back.

She could not cry.

This was the He Family's last shred of dignity.

Just then, the auctioneer cleared his throat, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

"Distinguished guests, next up is the final and most special item of this auction."

The lights dimmed.

Only a single spotlight shone upon the auction platform.

A waiter carefully presented a box made of Zitan wood.

The box was opened.

Inside, three yellowed sketchbooks lay quietly.

The leather covers already showed the marks of time.

"These are three design manuscripts from the founder of the Victoria brand, Mr. He Sinan, which have never been made public!"

The auctioneer's voice suddenly rose.

"These contain Mr. He's highest understanding of jewelry design throughout his life, and three top-tier series he conceived but never released—'Eternity,' 'Reincarnation,' and 'New Life!'"

"This, is the true soul of Victoria Jewelry!"

The entire hall fell into a dead silence.

Everyone's gaze was drawn to the three seemingly ordinary manuscripts.

A brand could be acquired; jewelry could be replicated.

But the crystallization of this thought, the source of this art, was utterly unique.

He Wanqing's breath hitched instantly.

She leaned slightly forward, her hands tightly clasped over her chest.

Those were the last thoughts her grandfather had left her.

It was the He Family's final dignity.

Upstairs, Wu Dong's eyes exploded with greedy light.

He suddenly sat up straight.

This was his real target for today.

"Shark" Lin also put down his teacup, his expression becoming serious for the first time.

"The value of these three manuscripts is incalculable."

The auctioneer took a deep breath, seemingly infected by the heavy atmosphere.

"The starting bid is one million Hong Kong dollars."

As soon as the words fell,

"Five million."

Wu Dong's voice came through the upstairs loudspeaker, carrying the arrogance of someone determined to win.

He directly multiplied the price by five.

He wanted to crush all potential competitors this way.

And to crush the tottering woman sitting in the corner.

He Wanqing's body swayed, nearly falling over.

Five million...

To buy her grandfather's life's work.

This was more painful than killing her.

No one in the room bid.

Everyone knew that with Wu Dong and Shark Lin allied, anyone who dared to compete with them was courting death.

The auctioneer raised the gavel.

His gaze unconsciously swept across the room.

It swept over the silent, head-down businessmen, and over He Wanqing's despairing face.

Finally, his gaze landed on the man who had not moved from the beginning.

Shen Yan finally made a move.

He did not raise a paddle.

He merely raised his hand and made an extremely simple gesture toward Wu Ya beside him.

A gesture for 'one.'

Wu Ya understood immediately and raised the paddle in her hand.

Her voice, cool and crisp, echoed throughout the entire hall through the microphone.

"One hundred million."

These two words shot into the deathly silence of the venue like two bullets.

There was no inflection, no emotional fluctuation, just a statement.

A cold, hard, unquestionable statement.

The air solidified.

Time seemed to have been paused.

Everyone's gaze, as if pulled by invisible strings, was fixed firmly on the paddle Wu Ya had raised.

Then, slowly, with emotions of inquiry, confusion, and shock, their eyes shifted to the man in front of her.

Shen Yan.

He was still leaning back in his chair, his posture unchanged.

The expensive Patek Philippe on his lowered wrist reflected a cold light.

The silence lasted only three seconds.

After three seconds, the entire venue erupted.

"Did I hear that right? One hundred million?"

A middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses subconsciously pushed his glasses up, as if this would help him see more clearly.

"Buying three pieces of scrap paper? Is this money printed on demand?"

His female companion covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.

"This isn't about money! This is slapping Wu Dong and Shark Lin in the face!"

An older expert who understood the situation better lowered his voice, but his tone was full of excitement.

"Who is this mainland guy? A dragon crossing the river? So fierce?"

"I think he's a foolish dragon who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. The waters in Hong Kong City run deep."

Whispers converged into an undercurrent, surging through every corner of the venue.

Amazement, ridicule, schadenfreude.

All emotions pointed toward the man at the center of the storm.

In the private box upstairs.

The high-stemmed glass in Wu Dong's hand cracked with a 'snap' as he squeezed it.

Scarlet wine dripped down his expensive trousers along the fissure.

But he didn't notice.

He suddenly stood up, rushed to the railing, and stared fiercely at Shen Yan downstairs.

That composed face was more glaring to him now than any mockery.

"Damn it!"

Wu Dong roared, veins bulging on his forehead.

"Investigate! Investigate for me! I need to know who the hell he is! I want to make sure he never leaves Hong Kong City!"

"Young Master Wu."

A withered hand pressed down on his shoulder.

Shark Lin had appeared behind him at some unknown time.

For the first time, his face lacked that leisurely expression of a meditating monk.

A cold glint, like that of a viper spotting its prey, flickered in his turbid eyes.

"Calm yourself."

His voice wasn't loud, but it struck Wu Dong's heart like a heavy hammer.

"The fish has taken the bait."

Downstairs.

He Wanqing stood frozen in the corner.

Her vision was completely blurred.

Tears slid uncontrollably from her eyes, tracing paths down her pale cheeks.

These tears were no longer of humiliation and despair.

But of immense, inexpressible shock and gratitude.

One hundred million.

That was not a number.

It was dignity.