Captian frowned and added another one hundred and fifty thousand. The situation had now fully turned into a direct duel between the two of them whoever stopped first would be the loser.
I tightened my hands, wanting to see who exactly was competing with Captian. I widened my eyes and saw a vague silhouette that looked strangely familiar, but it was too far to see clearly.
After about thirty seconds, that voice sounded again:
"One million and fifty thousand."
"Two million."
It seemed Captian no longer wanted to play this bidding duel and simply announced a number outright, his tone firm and unmistakable.
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall stirred. The Demeter statue was undeniably a beautiful collector's piece, and one point one or one point two million was already sky-high, but Captian had directly added nine hundred fifty thousand, pushing the price up to two million an absolutely staggering figure.
Even I was shocked by his extravagance; did he have so much money that he truly didn't know where to spend it?
The other bidder clearly calculated the value of the Demeter and finally withdrew, ending the battle. Ultimately, Captian obtained the Demeter statue for two million.
When I looked at the Demeter sculpture being brought over, my feelings were complicated. Two million for this? I really couldn't understand the world of the wealthy.
The following items were even less interesting. Captian also seemed uninterested in bidding on anything else.
Suddenly, he leaned toward my ear and whispered in a husky voice,
"Is there anything you want?"
My heart fluttered in panic would he buy it for me if I wanted something? Even though I was tempted, taking an inch and wanting a mile wasn't good, so I gave him an awkward smile and said,
"I don't see anything I like for now. President Anderson, if you like something, you should buy it, don't mind me."
The moment I finished speaking, I immediately felt slapped in the face.
The tenth item brought out was a Roman Surgical Instruments set not ordinary tools, but a brilliant, meticulously crafted set. Each instrument was perfectly proportioned, slender, refined like an exquisite work of art that made one unable to look away.
I licked my lips unconsciously; my sleepiness vanished. To others, this set might look unremarkable, but to me it was a rare, high-level treasure, something that truly shook my heart.
"So beautiful…" I whispered, my eyes filled with fascination.
The auction host pointed at the surgical set and said with a smile,
"This Roman Surgical Instruments set belonged to 'Corpus Medicorum Occultus.' It was used before, but has been hidden for over ten years, and only this set remains, so its commemorative value is extremely high. Starting price: five hundred thousand USD."
The entire hall stirred.
Anyone knowledgeable knew who "Corpus Medicorum Occultus" was; their ancestors had been court physicians, their surgical and micro-invasive skills legendary, countless patients seeking their treatment. But more than a decade ago, the person vanished without a trace, their stories gradually fading from public memory.
Now that their surgical kit had resurfaced, everyone's memories were suddenly awakened.
I had also heard of "Corpus Medicorum Occultus", a remarkably skilled medical practitioner. Owning their surgical kit would essentially complete one's medical career.
"Do you like it?" Captian asked.
He had clearly noticed something different in me; I was so excited that my eyes sparkled brighter than the lights around us.
Completely overwhelmed by excitement, I forgot who was sitting next to me and blurted out,
"I love it. A Roman Surgical Instruments set this perfect is the lifelong pursuit of every medical professional."
Only after speaking did I remember Captian was right next to me. Startled, I quickly covered my mouth, leaving only my round eyes exposed.
Captian stared straight into them, a low laugh slipping out as the lights highlighted the depth of his dark, ancient-well-like eyes.
I didn't understand why he asked that. Could it be… he wanted to help me obtain this surgical kit?
But the starting price was already five hundred thousand, it was incredibly expensive. I didn't have that kind of money; the only black card I had was given by him, and if I used it, it would still be him paying.
Only then did I realize how important it was to have money of my own. At least in December, the hospital would transfer my salary. I had performed well this month, so my income would probably be decent.
Comforting myself silently, I watched as the bidding for the surgical set began.
Because "Corpus Medicorum Occultus" was a legend, the other nobles desperately wanted the surgical kit as well even if they knew nothing about medical tools, owning such a collector's item would elevate the entire aesthetic of their home.
"Six hundred thousand."
"Six hundred fifty."
"Seven hundred thousand."
The price rose continuously.
Without money, I could only sit quietly like a chicken, though my heart throbbed with uncontrollable desire. The surgical set was just too beautiful, too exquisite…
When the price soared to one million, Captian suddenly raised his paddle, his voice firm:
"Two million."
From one million straight to two million.
His boldness sent the hall into chaos again. Even I was stunned, he didn't even know how to use these instruments, so why bid?
Was he… truly buying them for me?
My lips parted, but the words to stop him disappeared instantly.
What if he was just buying the set for display?
Better not embarrass myself by speaking.
After his "two million," the hall fell silent for a few seconds before a voice challenged again:
"Two million fifty thousand."
"Three million."
Captian's face didn't change; he didn't even blink.
My jaw nearly dropped. Three million?!
That was madness.
The opposing bidder was clearly shocked and fell silent.
Not long after, the staff brought the Roman Surgical Instruments to Captian. He didn't even look at them and simply said,
"Give it to her."
The staff member blinked in surprise, then handed the surgical kit to me.
I accepted it in disbelief, my whole body trembling.
He really bid for me… so I hadn't been overthinking it?
But the set was far too valuable; accepting it felt unnatural, yet refusing might anger him.
After hesitating for a moment, I finally curved my lips into a bright smile, radiant as sunlight.
"Thank you, Mr. Captian. I truly love this Roman Surgical Instruments set."
Captian replied with an emotionless
"Mm,"
though I could tell he was pleased.
The nobles around us felt as though they'd just been force-fed a mouthful of dog food. They had assumed Captian bid on the surgical set for collection, but instead it was to earn a beauty's smile.
The vicious, terrifying President Anderson… romantic?
Their entire worldview had been shaken.
After the surgical set was taken, nothing afterward held any appeal.
Thirty minutes later, the auction finally ended. The nobles dispersed instantly, but Captian remained seated.
At that moment, Hunter pushed past the crowd, leaned toward Captian, and whispered,
"President Captian, private room 204, 'Le Miroir Bleu.'"