Chapter 76: The Rivalry
When Lucas arrived, Devin had already made himself scarce — wisely so.
Sophia frowned, her eyes following the man’s retreating back. His behavior didn’t make sense. Had he figured out who she really was?
No. Impossible.
"How strange," Lucas drawled as he took the seat beside her. "You said this morning you were going to get your nails done. Didn’t know that meant attending an auction."
Sophia arched a brow. Of course she had said that when she slipped out earlier. Who could’ve guessed he’d show up here too?
"I just came to take a look," she said casually. "What about you? Weren’t you supposed to be at the office?"
"I was. Then I decided to take a look too."
He leaned closer, his cologne faint but unmistakably intoxicating. "So, what was Devin Scott doing here with you?"
Sophia was still forming a proper excuse when Lucas added smoothly, "And don’t try to lie. I’m not easy to fool."
She crossed her legs and smirked. "You really want to know? He said he’s been wanting to pursue me. Said we were a perfect match... and that he’s better than you."
Lucas’s fingers stilled mid-movement.
Sophia tilted her head. "You don’t believe me?"
"I believe," Lucas said slowly, his tone calm but his gaze sharp. "The woman I chose has always been the kind that men can’t resist. Unless... you’re not confident in yourself?"
Sophia scoffed. "You’re impossible, you know that? You never play by the rules."
He caught her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "If I always played by the rules, sweetheart, I wouldn’t be sitting in this chair — as the CEO of Hilton Group."
He wasn’t wrong.
Down below, the auctioneer’s voice echoed through the hall. This was no ordinary event — top collectors were putting their treasures on display.
The first item: a pure white jade pendant.
Bids came fast, voices overlapping, but nothing had caught Sophia’s interest yet.
None of it was worth her attention.
"I heard they’re auctioning off a raw jade stone later," Lucas murmured.
"A raw stone?"
"Yes. Some claim it might reveal emerald-green jade inside. They say it’s as big as a man. If it turns out pure, it could be worth billions. But the odds are terrible. Most don’t dare gamble."
Moments later, assistants wheeled in a massive rough stone, placing it under the spotlight.
Sophia didn’t know much about the antique market, but she could tell this one was brought in from somewhere rare.
The auctioneer began with flair: "Starting bid, two million."
Lucas turned to her. "Do you want it?"
She shrugged. "It’s the last piece. Might as well have a little fun."
She lifted her paddle.
"Five million from Miss Morgan! Do I hear anything higher?"
"Six million!"
"Seven million!"
"...Twelve million! Do I hear higher?"
Sophia’s gaze swept the crowd. The voice belonged to none other than Devin Scott.
"Twenty million," came another voice.
She blinked, startled — until she realized it came from right beside her.
"Are you insane?" she whispered. "Twenty million for a rock?"
Lucas’s lips curled. "You like it. So I’ll buy it for you."
"I— you’re buying me a rock?"
"Don’t worry," he said softly, eyes gleaming.
Across the room, Devin’s attention shifted toward them. Others followed. Everyone knew — a raw stone like that could end up worthless.
"Twenty-two million," Devin countered calmly.
"Thirty million," Lucas said without hesitation, skipping past the smaller raises entirely.
Sophia exhaled sharply. "Please tell me you’re not doing this just to spite him. Thirty million isn’t pocket change."
"What are you afraid of?"
Lucas tilted his head, meeting Devin’s gaze with open amusement.
Their eyes locked — a silent duel that spoke louder than words.
"Thirty-five million," Devin said evenly.
"Forty million," Lucas replied, voice steady.
Devin’s hands clasped together, his stare growing colder.
Was Lucas really challenging him on purpose?
"Forty-five million."
"Sixty million."
The final number dropped like a bomb in the hall.
Gasps rippled through the auction hall.
Devin Scott might’ve been wealthy, but even he was starting to feel the strain of keeping up with Lucas Hilton. Moments ago, he’d been arrogantly trying to charm Sophia — putting himself on a pedestal. If he backed down now, he’d look like a fool.
After a long pause, he forced a smile. "Sixty-five million."
Lucas leaned back lazily, his lips curving. "Seventy."
Every time Devin bid, Lucas effortlessly added another notch — higher, sharper, colder.
"Eighty million!" Devin snapped, his tone tight. The number tasted bitter on his tongue. He wasn’t bidding for the stone anymore — he was bidding for pride.
But Lucas barely blinked. "One hundred million."
A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.
"Oh my God—did he just say a hundred million dollars?!"
"Yeah! For a rock! Has he lost his mind?"
"And look—Devin doesn’t even dare to keep going."
The whispers weren’t quiet — not at all. Every word reached Devin’s ears. His jaw tightened as he glared across the aisle at Lucas.
What game was this man playing? Lucas Hilton was no fool, yet he was acting like one. A hundred million was beyond reckless. Still—if the jade inside was good, it could sell for ten times that amount.
Should he take the risk?
"Mr. Scott," his secretary murmured nervously, "maybe it’s time to stop. It’s just not worth it—"
Devin’s brows drew together, his pride refusing to yield. "If I want something, it has its value."
He raised his paddle again. "One hundred and ten million." His eyes flicked toward Lucas, challenging him.
Lucas smiled — slow, dangerous. "Two hundred million."
The room exploded.
The air grew thick with disbelief. Conversations buzzed all around them.
"Did he say two hundred million?!"
"This guy’s insane! He’s literally burning money!"
Sophia could only stare, her frown deepening. She wasn’t doubting Lucas — but something about this didn’t sit right.
"That’s enough," she whispered. "Two hundred million is insane."
Lucas glanced at her, expression unreadable. "You think I can’t afford it?"
She exhaled, defeated. "Forget I said anything."
Across the room, Devin’s jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful. He’d completely lost control of the game — and Lucas knew it.
His assistant, Kevin, leaned in, whispering urgently, "Mr. Scott, this is beyond our budget. It’s not worth—"
"I said I know!" Devin hissed.
Kevin lowered his paddle, signaling surrender.
The auctioneer lifted his hammer with a flourish.
"Two hundred million once! Two hundred million twice! Two hundred million—sold! Congratulations, Mr. Hilton, on acquiring tonight’s final masterpiece!"
Applause filled the room — polite but uneasy. Behind the clapping hands were murmurs and smirks.
Sophia turned to him, speechless. "You just bought a giant rock. For two hundred million."
Lucas’s eyes gleamed. "If what’s inside is real, it’ll be worth several billion."
"And if it’s not?"
He rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. His hand was firm, his tone calm. "Then let’s find out."
Her eyes widened. "You’re not serious."
"Oh, I’m dead serious. People are curious—let’s satisfy that curiosity."
At his signal, several workers approached the massive stone, rolling up their sleeves. The audience who had started to leave froze in place, curiosity burning hotter than common sense.
"He’s really going to open it here?!"
"Stay, I want to see this. Who knows—maybe we’ll witness a miracle."
"Miracle, my ass! Don’t you know that stone came from the Scott family’s warehouse? They were obviously baiting him into bidding higher!"
Lucas turned his head slightly, his gaze cutting through the crowd like ice. The man who spoke instantly fell silent.
The first chisel hit the stone. Dust rose in the light—and then—
A streak of green.
The workers froze mid-motion. The crowd went silent. Eyes widened.