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The mastermind had been utterly confident that Zhou Mu would definitely win the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal within that price range and carry out the plans that followed.

But no one had expected a mysterious buyer to suddenly appear at the auction and drive the bidding price of the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal all the way up to twenty million.

How had they not known which guest possessed such formidable resources, able to spend twenty million euros on a treasure seal without even blinking?

The refined young man's face turned livid. He questioned the old man with his eyes, and the old man's expression was equally grim. Sixteen million euros was already the absolute limit they could produce. Any higher, and it would affect the Jin family's future plans. Besides, since that mysterious buyer had dared to call out the astronomical price of twenty million in one breath, even if they continued bidding, they could not possibly outcompete him.

Their plan to frame the Gu family would likely come to nothing halfway through. But they would not admit defeat so easily!

Zhou Mu hung up the phone. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I suspect someone is maliciously bidding. I demand that this guest's funds be verified."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire auction hall fell silent. Everyone's gaze instinctively turned toward Zhou Mu, as well as the proxy bidder who had called out the astronomical price of twenty million euros on behalf of a mysterious buyer.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the proxy bidder also looked toward the auctioneer responsible for maintaining order.

The auctioneer hesitated for a moment, then looked toward the person in charge of the auction house, who had remained hidden backstage.

Having received instructions, the auction house manager stepped onto the stage and smiled at the proxy bidder. "The High-End Auction House operates on the principle of credibility. In keeping with our commitment to honesty and responsibility toward our clients, we must properly resolve every customer's concerns. This is also to better maintain order at the auction house and serve our clients... I hope you can provide proof of funds."

The suited proxy bidder smiled faintly and made another phone call before saying, "No problem. My client says that as long as the sale is completed, he can settle the bill immediately."

At those words, Zhou Mu's and the manager's hearts sank at the same time. Yet at this moment, they had no excuse left to stop the sale from going through.

Zhou Mu glared viciously at the proxy bidder. The person behind him had ruined their subsequent plans. The person behind him had ruined Zhou Mu's future.

As the auctioneer excitedly brought down the hammer, animated discussion erupted throughout the auction hall. Everyone was stunned by the sky-high final price, and each person eagerly discussed who this mysterious buyer could be. They surrounded the proxy bidder representing the mysterious buyer, hoping to learn something about him through the man.

Only Zhou Mu and the auction house manager felt as though their parents had died.

Meanwhile, Gu Jiuque was wondering why this transaction had taken such an unexpected turn.

Zhou Mu had not won the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal. Had Zhou Mu and the Jin family behind him not prepared thoroughly enough? Or was there some other reason that had made them abandon their plan to frame Grandpa Gu?

Gu Jiuque was full of suspicion, but his expression did not change in the slightest.

He turned to Zhou Mu, whose face had gone livid, and asked with concern, "Boss Zhou, since you failed to acquire the collectible you wanted, will that affect your plans going forward?"

Zhou Mu: "..."

Grandpa Gu, however, did not care about Zhou Mu's distraught state. His duty had only been to help Zhou Mu authenticate the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal. As for whether Zhou Mu had the means to purchase the collectible, that was his own business.

"Let's go!" Grandpa Gu stood and said. "You bought quite a few things at the auction. We still have a lot of procedures to complete before we can take them home."

Gu Jiuque happily rose to his feet. "Okay, Grandpa."

Zhou Mu subconsciously stood up as well and followed behind Grandpa Gu and Gu Jiuque.

Yet this time, it was as if an invisible giant hand had nailed Zhou Mu firmly in place.

Led by the auction house staff, the grandfather and grandson left the auction hall, first heading to the payment center to settle the bill, then to the collection area to pick up their purchases.

Unexpectedly, the moment they entered the collection area, they heard a highly unusual commotion. Amid the indistinct noise, it sounded as though someone was questioning something.

Gu Jiuque unconsciously quickened his pace. The instant he and his grandfather followed the auction house employee into the collection area, he saw Shen Heng.

The tall figure, nearly one meter ninety, had led a group of suited assistants and bodyguards in surrounding the collection area staff.

"Pete, is it?" Shen Heng removed his sunglasses and looked at the High-End Auction House manager, who had arrived at some point, with an amused expression. A bloody smile slowly spread across his face. "Could you explain why the Yongzheng seal I purchased at your auction house for twenty million euros has turned out to be a fake?"

As he spoke, he picked up the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal that the auction house staff had personally handed to him and tossed it into the manager's arms.

In an instant, the bustling collection area fell deathly silent. Everyone looked over in disbelief.

Before everyone's eyes, the High-End Auction House manager caught the seal awkwardly. His once proud and composed face darkened completely!

Chapter 25

Shen Heng had bought the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal?

The mysterious buyer who had spent the astronomical sum of twenty million euros on the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal was actually Shen Heng?

The Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal that the auction house had handed Shen Heng was actually fake?

At the entrance to the collection area, Gu Jiuque watched the chaotic scene expressionlessly, though his heart was filled with shock.

How could this be?

"That is absolutely impossible!" The blond, blue-eyed manager was equally baffled. Still shaken, he clutched the Yongzheng Emperor's Imperial White Jade Nine-Dragon Seal in his arms and instinctively defended himself. "That is absolutely impossible, sir. Our High-End Auction House would never auction off counterfeit goods."