Chapter 27: Incompetent Rage

Chairman Zimmerman, whose name is Derek, owns a small construction company. Despite having assets totaling no more than a hundred million, he had previously done business with Pinnacle Group. Sammy never expected Derek, a seemingly insignificant figure, to throw his hat into the ring. Derek sneered, "There's no need for Chairman Lee to worry about that." Sammy's gaze was icy as he smirked, "I'm just concerned that even if Chairman Zimmerman wins the bid, he won't be able to produce such a large sum of money, which would be quite embarrassing." "The only one who would be embarrassed is me, Derek. What does that have to do with you, Sammy?" Sammy snorted coldly, "You want to play, I'll play with you." He then raised his bidding paddle and shouted, "30 million." Donald's representative was about to bid but was surprised when Derek raised his paddle first, shouting, "31 million." After his bid, Zimmerman didn't forget to provocatively glance at Sammy. Sammy's face turned livid, and with a twitch of his lips, he roared, "35 million." Then, looking towards Derek, he sneered, "You think you're worthy of playing this game with me?" Derek scoffed disdainfully and raised his paddle again, "40 million." Douglas raised an eyebrow, curious, "Is this person also arranged by you?" Donald shook his head, "No, I've never seen him before." Douglas was momentarily taken aback, thinking this person was specifically opposing Sammy at Linola's behest, but it turns out he wasn't. Linola's arranged bidder was confused and at a loss. Douglas, watching Sammy's contorted features on the video, said indifferently, "Have your person bid 41 million." Donald looked back at Douglas, "If we bid 41 million and Sammy doesn't follow, it could be problematic." "Bid it. Sammy will follow," Douglas stated confidently. He knew Sammy well, a man of stubborn pride and arrogance, who believed he was flawless and could never lose. Donald nodded and instructed, "Bidder number seventeen, go to 41 million." On the screen, bidder number seventeen raised the paddle, shouting, "41 million." Sammy's eyes flared with rage, turning to look at bidder number seventeen and sneered, "You think you have the capability to play with me? I bid 50 million." The auction room was abuzz with shock. Sammy's bid was aggressive. "Any more bids? Any higher than 50 million?" The auctioneer shouted. However, the property was worth at most 41 million, and now it was already overpriced by 50 million, so despite the auctioneer's calls, there was silence. The auctioneer called, "50 million for the first time." After a pause, ensuring no further bids, he called, "50 million for the second time." Sammy looked disdainfully at Derek and scoffed, "What's the matter? Got cold feet? Competing with me, you should know your limits." Derek, glaring at Sammy with fury, bellowed, "Sammy, I won't let you succeed." Just as the auctioneer was about to finalize the sale with the third call, Derek shouted, "54 million." The room erupted in astonishment again! The auctioneer excitedly called, "54 million from this gentleman! Any higher bids? Anyone else?" Sammy looked at Derek with a vicious glare, as if ready to devour him. Derek, equally enraged, sneered back, "Sammy, even if it bankrupts me, I won't let you have it." In the monitoring room, Donald turned to Douglas, asking, "Miracle Doctor Wellington, do we continue to bid?" Douglas's smile was cryptic, "Add fuel to the fire, go to 57 million." Donald was apprehensive, as the land was already significantly overvalued. But trusting Douglas, he instructed bidder number seventeen to raise the bid again. As Sammy and Derek were locked in a bidding war, bidder number seventeen raised the paddle and shouted, "57 million." This sudden increase in bid not only shocked the attendees but also enraged Sammy. With eyes reddened, Sammy abruptly stood up, bellowing, "64 million. I will secure this land, and no one will take it from me." Donald looked at Douglas admiringly, "Miracle Doctor Wellington, you're truly brilliant; the guy really did raise the bid. Should we bid again?" Douglas observed Derek on the surveillance screen. When Sammy bid 64 million, Zimmerman's eyes gleamed with a sly triumph, a smile of someone who had succeeded in their plan. "No need to bid further. Sammy is nearly out of funds. Bidding more could very well trap us instead." "Also, look into this person. There must be someone behind him directing his actions." Douglas said, pointing to Derek on the screen. Donald nodded, "I'll handle it." At the scene, Sammy provocatively looked towards bidder number seventeen, "Go on, bid. Why stop now?" Bidder number seventeen hung his head as if resigned. Sammy then turned to Derek, "Weren't you acting all high and mighty just now? Why stop? Got nothing to say?" Derek slowly stood up, fixing his gaze on Sammy, and suddenly burst into laughter, "Chairman Lee is indeed lavish. Spending 64 million on a piece of land worth no more than 42 million, I don’t see what there is to be proud of." After speaking, Zimmerman scoffed disdainfully and left the scene. Murmurs spread among the crowd. Sammy suddenly realized he had been played but was unwilling to admit it. "Derek, I won't let you off." Sammy muttered venomously, his gaze as deadly as a viper's. "Congratulations to this gentleman for winning the bid for lot number five." The auctioneer announced, finalizing the sale with three strikes of the hammer. But Sammy felt no joy; he sensed mockery from everyone around him, fueling his rage. In the control room, Douglas, watching Sammy's impotent fury on the screen, slightly smiled, "The show is over, let's go!" Donald glanced at Sammy on the screen, scoffed, and followed Douglas out of the room. Outside, Douglas expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for today." Donald responded heartily, "Miracle Doctor Wellington, you're being too formal. You've saved the lives of my parents and my sister. This is nothing compared to what you've done for the Linola family." "Miracle Doctor Wellington, it's lunchtime. Let's grab something to eat." "Can your sister cook?" Donald paused, "If you count disastrous meals, then yes, she can cook." "Then come to my place. I don't want my daughter to suffer through that." Donald's eyes lit up, "That's great! Your cooking is even better than what they serve in five-star hotels." "Donald, get in the car first and stay out of sight." Douglas suddenly said, noticing Sammy coming out. Donald nodded and quickly drove the car to a waiting spot for Douglas. Sammy, with a grim face, walked to his car, about to get in, when he felt something and looked up, pausing in surprise upon seeing Douglas.