Carbon-14 analyzers don't lie—this piece was at least from the 18th century. Eddie knew it wouldn't be cheap, but 1.6 million wasn't that high either. So as soon as the price was announced, he raised his hand and called out, "1.65 million!"
The other collectors, likely unfamiliar with him, turned their heads to look. The Emirati tycoon who had previously won Woman's Head also waved his hand and said, "1.7 million!"
Eddie smiled without replying. He was waiting for others to bid, planning to step in at the end and secure it with one final raise, saving himself the hassle.
Sure enough, two more people joined in, raising the price to 1.9 million. The auctioneer called out, "1.9 million, going once…" Eddie lifted his hand and declared loudly, "2 million!"
Sitting beside him, Aaron Brandon spread his hands in a helpless gesture and said with a chuckle, "Young man, calm down, don't be reckless. That's two million for a piece of rotten wood!"
Eddie turned and grinned, "Can't help it. Rich and willful!"
For an 18th-century ambergris sculpture without official authentication, two million Canadian dollars was already a ceiling price. Even the Emirati tycoon had nothing to say, shaking his head and giving up the bid.
Two million—"The Sea God's Food" was now his.
Brandon kept shaking his head, but Eddie didn't mind. He had a gut feeling that this thing would surprise him.
None of the subsequent auction items particularly interested Eddie. There was a brush painting by Master Qi Baishi that tugged at his heart—he even felt a sense of patriotic duty to bring the cultural treasure home—but the final price hit an eye-watering 15.5 million Canadian dollars. Even with all his money combined, he couldn't afford it.
Then came the grand finale: the Perseus and Medusa statue. The auctioneer didn't need to say much; the moment it was brought out, the collectors' eyes lit up.
According to Little Black, over 200 people had attended the auction, but at least 50 of them hadn't moved an inch during the first 47 items. Clearly, they had all been waiting for this statue.
"…Our starting bid is 24 million Canadian dollars, with minimum increments of one million!"
As soon as the auctioneer finished, a plump Russian tycoon stood up and shouted, "26 million!"
"27 million!" followed immediately by a refined middle-aged man.
Little Black leaned over and whispered to Eddie, "That guy's from the British Bergen family—a noble lineage tracing back to the Renaissance."
"28 million!""He's a French collector. His family owns a steel mill."
"29 million!""That one's Italian. Rumor has it his family has business ties to the mafia."
…
Eddie was delighted to watch the bidding war unfold. The higher the price, the better for him. If the auction rules didn't forbid sellers from bidding, he'd have raised it straight to 35 million himself.
Just then, the Emirati tycoon, the same one who had made waves earlier, calmly waved his hand and said, "35 million."
That price exploded like firecrackers in the room—gasps and murmurs echoed.
Another Russian mogul stood up and called out, "36 million!"
Eddie clutched his crotch tightly. Oh no, oh no, I'm gonna come!
The European elites were furious. This bronze sculpture was one of the iconic works of the Renaissance era and had been lost during World War I. Now that it had resurfaced, there was no way they'd let it fall into foreign hands.
To them, the Russian oligarchs and Middle Eastern tycoons were outrageous. Who did they think they were? Did they think this was their private playground where their money could rule unchecked?
They had already given face by not participating in the previous auctions. But now, clearly, restraint wasn't going to cut it.
Representatives from several major European families huddled together for a quick discussion. Then one of them stood and called out, "40 million!"
At that price, the Russian moguls exchanged glances and shook their heads. They badly wanted the statue, but in their eyes, it wasn't worth that much.
The auctioneer sensed they were nearing the limit and was about to call it, when the Middle Eastern tycoon raised his hand again: "45 million."
As he bid, he shot a cold glance at the European buyers, a message written all over his face: This isn't 80 years ago. Europe no longer rules the world. If you want something from us Muslims—you'll have to bleed for it.
The Europeans were enraged. This was their national treasure. No matter what, they had to reclaim it.
"46 million!" someone growled through gritted teeth.
The Middle Eastern tycoon didn't even speak. A man dressed like his assistant called out proudly, "50 million!"
At that price, Eddie's eyes turned bloodshot. He stopped clutching his crotch—if he came, he came. Now he was holding his heart.
The European buyers were reaching their limit. They huddled again and whispered fiercely. Eventually, someone called out weakly, "52 million…"
"55 million!" the tycoon's assistant announced boldly.
Little Black gripped Eddie's hand tightly, "Congratulations, Eddie. You're officially a near-billionaire!"
Eddie pulled his hand back, still clutching his chest, debating whether to ask the staff to call an ambulance.
Fortunately, the bidding stopped. That 3-million gap was a killing blow. The Middle Eastern tycoon had crushed the European resistance with 55 million.
The auctioneer gave the final call rhythmically, then slammed the gavel down hard: "We have our top sale of the night! Mr. Afif Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates has won the Perseus and Medusa bronze statue for 55 million Canadian dollars. Let's give him a big round of applause!"
Clap clap clap! Eddie's applause rang out loud and clear.
The European buyers clapped politely, their spirits broken. One by one, they exited, clearly in no mood to attend the post-auction banquet.
The knockoff Sunflowers had sold for 540,000. Pina's other painting went for 1 million. Picasso's was 2.5 million. Add the 55 million for the statue, and Eddie's assets were now approaching 60 million.
Of course, he still had to pay the personal income tax on the art sales—22% under Canadian law. But Creeper told him there were legal ways to reduce it, and he had already prepared the plan.
No matter how you looked at it—Eddie was officially rich.
The banquet was held in the same five-star hotel, the Four Seasons. Little Black took Eddie around, introducing him to a number of Canadian big shots.
After downing a stomach full of champagne, Eddie returned from the restroom to find Little Black chatting with Aaron Brandon—the man who had sat next to him during the auction.
Eddie walked over, already guessing that Little Black was about to introduce someone again.
Sure enough, Little Black raised his glass and said with a smile, "Eddie, I think you already know Aaron. Let me formally introduce him again—he's the General Manager of the Bank of Montreal's Newfoundland and Labrador division. You're from the same region; you should stay in touch."
As a top-tier banker, Aaron Brandon was a natural socialite. Upon reuniting, he showered Eddie with compliments—and in Mandarin!
Eddie caught on immediately and replied just as directly, also in Mandarin, "Don't worry, man. I'll be depositing the money in your bank. But don't try selling me any financial products just yet—I want some peace and quiet…"
"Peace and quiet? Who's 'Quiet'?" Brandon joked with feigned confusion.
Eddie laughed. Of course he got the old internet meme. Clearly, Brandon had done his homework to win over his new VIP client.
"You gentlemen seem to be having a good time. Mind if I join in?" A warm voice interrupted them. Eddie turned to see the Middle Eastern tycoon who had purchased Perseus and Medusa walking over with a friendly smile.
Naturally, Eddie didn't mind meeting another tycoon. As for a banker like Brandon, he was probably thrilled to make this kind of connection.
Earlier, Little Black had tried to entertain Mr. Afif Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the banquet, but the man had stood aloof in a corner, drinking alone. Even Little Black's thick skin wasn't enough to break the ice.
The conversation didn't go too deep—just some polite introductions and small talk before they all parted ways.
Eddie didn't wait for the banquet to end. He excused himself early, citing too much alcohol, and returned to his room.
"Go on, Eddie. Enjoy your night. I've left you a little gift—I think you'll like it." Little Black winked mischievously, sly as a fox.
Eddie was definitely tipsy, but the real reason he left early was to study his newly acquired Sea God's Food.
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