Chapter 32

(In the Smith's company)

At the meeting room;

"We will soon start the bidding of a quarter of the Smith's company's shares, once the management director arrives. We will be starting at a rate of hundred million dollars. The highest bidder wins a quarter of the shares," the host, Abraham Schultz, said.

Daniel entered the meeting room.

They all exchanged pleasantries.

"Shall I carry on with the bidding process?" Abraham asked.

"Yes, go on," Daniel said, sitting at the official seat for the highest executive.

Clinton walked into to the meeting room.

"I knew something was missing," Daniel mumbled under his breath. "Too bad for you my dear friend because I am a hundred percent sure that you do not have the amount of money needed, to buy this shares. So coming was just a waste of time Clinton," he added,still mumbling.

"Over there, Mr. Clinton," the host directed, pointing at the C T I exclusive seat.

Clinton nodded and went to the seat he was directed to and sat down.

"Since we have all of our clients and business partners here, we may now begin with the bidding. For the sake of Mr. Clinton, I will repeat what I had said earlier on. The bidding rate for the share is a hundred million dollars and above. Therefore the highest bidder, with the highest amount, wins a quarter of the company shares." He explained.

"At the count of three and at the ringing of this bell, the bidding will proceed," Abraham continued.

"One.. two.. three.. and," he immediately rang the bell and at once the bidding started. Each bidder voicing out their own amount.

"A hundred million dollars," a man by name, Collins from Cisco company declared.

"Two hundred million dollars," another man chipped in.

In all this, two men were still quiet, one of the men was Clinton and the other...

"Two point five million," a lady, Alexandra by name, voiced out.

"Two point seven million dollars," Collins declared.

"Three point one," Bill from Suenus company proposed.

Seemed like no one was ready to challenge Bill this time because there was a pause and everyone just stared at him. Not everyone though but those that did not have up to that amount.

"Is there any other person that would want to challenge Mr. Bill?" The host asked, darting his eyes around. No one said anything. He repeated his question again, yet there was no response.

"At the count of three, the winner of this bid will be Mr. Bill, with the highest bid of three point one million dollars," he said.

"Going for three point one million, one. Going for three point one mil..."

"Three point five million," Eric who had been quietly observing and waiting patiently to strike, voiced out.

Daniel turned to him at once. He laughed inwardly. "So even Eric was interested in the bid," he thought. "Nice."

He turned to Clinton and saw the way he composed himself and with a smile on his face. Daniel wondered why he had not spoken anything yet, since the beginning of the bidding.

Eric was indeed an unlucky man, after be had pledged his own bid, every other person in the hall became awake and started to pledge their own amount.

"Four point two million," Alexandra shouted.

"Four point seven million," Bryan voiced out.

"Six point one million," Don another ruthless business dealer, said.

The gap was far, Clinton concluded within himself.

After Don had nodded with six point one million dollars, there was an uproar. Some murmured, contemplating on whether they should continue.

"Going at six point one, Mr..."

"Six point two million," the same lady, Alexandra voiced out again.

Some people even began to wonder who she was.

"Six point five," Holly said.

Daniel was really expectant, with the prices being mentioned, but still a part of him was still wondering why Clinton hadn't said anything yet.

The bidding continued.

"Eight point four," A short lady shouted.

"Eight point nine," Holly said again.

Everywhere became quiet, no one said a word. Absolutely no one was ready to give up any other amount, including the Alexandra of a lady.

"Going for eight point nine million, one. Eight point nine million, two...

"Two point two," a strong voice interrupted the host.

"Two point two," the host repeated in mockery. Every other bidder began to murmur, some wondered if the bidder was alright.

"I am sorry to disappoint you but we are already far from that. We are in...... Wait..... Do you mean two point two billion dollars?" The host asked, with wide eyes.

"Two point two billion dollars," Clinton voiced out in confirmation. His face looking so serious.

Every one was in awe. The host was very much surprised. Exclamations escaped from the mouths of other bidders. The shock showed on their faces, Daniel's face was not an exception.

"Two point two billion dollars?" A lady said slowly, to her business partner. "Is this not too much, for just a quarter of their shares? This man is really unbelievable," she added.

"So is no one ready to beat Mr. Clinton to this?" The host asked, looking around.

Everyone remained quiet.

Indeed, no one was ready to spend such an amount.

"Ok then. Two point two billion dollars, going one, two point two billion dollars, going two, two point two billion dollars going three...." The bell rang at once, indicating that Clinton was the winner of the bid.

"Congratulations, Mr. Clinton, you have been affirmed the winner of the bid. We will give you the documents and the necessary forms to fill in."

One after the other, the other bidders stood up and walked up to Clinton to congratulate him. Some shaked hands with him, while some gave remarkable comments. As for Eric, he began to wonder how and where Clinton got such an amount from.

A hiss escaped from Daniel's lips. He was comfortably sitting on his chair. Even though he was looking so peaceful from the outside, he was still very much confused. He had watched the unbelievable display. It could have been another person, why Clinton?

Everything seemed to real to believe. At this point he wanted to prove he was the bigger man, as he sat still waiting for Clinton to approach him.

"Mr. Clinton," the host said, approaching him.

"Congratulations Mr. Clinton. You were close to reaching the estimated amount."

"Estimated amount?" Clinton heard himself say. "How much is the estimated?" He added.

"Ten billion dollars," the host answered his question. "But all the same, you tried. We are grateful," he said, extending a handshake to him.

"From the look of things, no one was ready to pay more than a billion dollars for the quarter of the shares."

"I thought as much. This share is important for my company, seeing the gain we can make in the coming months."