Intentional Provocation
After Naomi placed her bid, the venue fell silent. Following the rules, the host asked, "The current bid is four million. Is there a higher bid?"
Another silence enveloped the room.
"Four million once."
Cynthia didn't particularly fancy this brush; she just thought it would complement the ivory pen holder she had collected, forming a matching set. However, when she saw Naomi sincerely trying to cause her trouble, she suddenly changed her mind.
The joy of the cat-and-mouse game lies not in catching the prey but in toying with it. That's exactly what Cynthia was doing, subtly luring Naomi to bid step by step.
She enjoyed the process.
Although this process would cost Naomi dearly, everything was of her own making!
Tristan noticed the sly smile in Cynthia's eyes and instantly understood her plan. The host, looking toward Cynthia, seemed to expect her to continue bidding.