Checkmate.
In the suddenly stunned and eventually chaotic hall, anyone was free to place their bids, just as they were welcome to publicly proclaim that they had the hots for the apple of Luca's eye.
And for a price of three hundred five billion and two Star Coins, any of them could just as easily declare that they had no intention of staying in DG's good graces by competing directly with its famed leader.
But who would be stupid enough to do that?
Apparently, not even Cassian Veyra, whose left eye twitched at the turn of events.
Clearly, bidding for Luca could still be tolerated as an expression of affection or admiration. But bidding against him for someone like Xavier Montclair would only invalidate his earlier win, and that was not something even he was willing to entertain.
