The curtain rose on the auction.
The host stood at the front, while the big screen displayed the highlight of the auction:
"Ladies and gentlemen, our next lot comes from the ruins of an abandoned Ancient Temple deep in the Amazons Rainforest in South America.
Carbon-14 dating has confirmed that this piece of gold was worshipped by a local indigenous tribe for over a thousand years."
The cloth covering the auction table was lifted, drawing quiet gasps from the audience.
A piece of gold sat in a transparent, sealed display case, giving off a soft, warm glow.
The host announced the opening bid: "Five hundred thousand."
Bruce raised his paddle. "One million."
The man in the hat across from him raised his paddle too. "One point five million."
Bruce raised his paddle again. "Two million."
The man opposite him raised his paddle. "Two point five million."
The two took turns bidding until the price climbed to five million.
Ririko turned to glance at Bruce. His expression remained calm. He merely shifted in his seat before raising his paddle. "Ten million."
A low murmur rippled through the room.
The man opposite them glanced their way, then looked away and raised his paddle again. "Ten point five million."
Bruce was entirely unfazed. "Twenty million."
The other man fell silent for a moment before raising his paddle again. "Twenty point five million."
Ririko tilted her head. She had not expected him to be after the Amazon Gold too.
She whispered to Bruce, "Go higher."
Bruce glanced at her, then raised his paddle, his voice clear and steady. "Fifty million."
The room went silent for half a second.
The man opposite them lowered his hand and never raised it again.
The host's fingers paused on the table as his gaze moved between Bruce and