Nyx's eyes went wide in shock, as she stared down at Nate, "What are you doing?"
"Bidding." He shrugged.
"But..." She stuttered, eyes darting to the host who suddenly went quiet, trying to ascertain Nate's identity.
"You know you would have to pay with your own money, right?" She probed, with her brows raised. "I don't mind paying, but it might backfire later."
Nate chuckled, "Are you looking down on your boyfriend?"
"Of course not." She waved her hands as the last thing she wanted to do was make him feel less of himself.
"Then relax..." He rested his back, crossing his legs. At the same time, he wiggled his fingers at her, bringing her closer to him. Nyx blushed with a deep red hue as she rested her body on him.
"Now watch your man outbid everyone."
Nyx was amazed at how confident he was, after all, she had always liked him for this, as well as how stubborn he was. But this could actually backfire on him. Either way, she would never let him be put to shame.
"1.5 million dollars!" The host announced.
The bidders went into an outrage, after all, most of them knew it was Nate speaking. How could Nyx let such a pauper speak in matters like this? Even though he had an iron fist, it wasn't a leverage to them.
"1.7 million dollars!"
Another bidder shot up the price, and the atmosphere turned heated.
However, Nate was done with the charade and he didn't want to keep dragging.
He raised his card again, but Nyx held him back, her eyes heavy with doubt.
"I think that's enough," she whispered. "I appreciate the gesture but—"
"3 million dollars!" Nate cut her off, while he had his eyes on her and his lips curled into a proud smirk.
The hall went silent, and even Nyx took a deep heavy breath. The highest amount she wanted to spend on that necklace was 2 million dollars! But Nate here was daring to go that far!
"3 million dollars!" The host announced, eagerly waiting for someone to challenge that bid, however, it was still silent all through.
"3 million dollars! Sold!"
"A round of applause as the winner comes on stage."
Nyx let out a harsh breath, as she repeated her warning, "You know you would have to pay right there and now, right?"
"Yes." He smiled, as he stood up, straightening the creases on his clothes. He didn't say a word more as he stepped out of the private room, and he was ushered directly to the stage.
The thunderous applause from earlier now dwindled as all of the students realized it was the school's pauper.
As Nate stood with the host, one of the students shot up to his feet, "Is this a joke?"
"This is a serious bid and we wouldn't tolerate such a clown like him. Get him off the stage."
"Yes!" Another student rose to his feet. "You may have an iron fist, Nate, but we all know you have no money."
"Nyx wouldn't be able to help you this time."
"Get him off! He is a pauper!"
They immediately started to murmur and whisper mocking words in each other's ears. But Nate was calm with his hands in his pocket, standing all poised.
However, the host didn't like the reception at all.
He knew these were a bunch of rich kids and offending them all would be bad for him, so he stepped away from Nate, his lips twitching with a mocking sneer.
"If you had no money, why did you bid? I had to shout at the top of my voice, only for you?"
Nate turned to him, his brows arched, "Who says I do not have money?"
The host immediately turned red, his chest heaving with anger, "Do you even know what we are doing here?"
"Look around…" His hands waved all through the hall, "Have you been in such a grand place? Do you even own an expensive piece of jewelry?"
"No…" Nate shook his head. "I didn't think I should own one. Nyx wants that necklace, so I want to get it."
And immediately, a wave of laughter burst through the crowds, and even the host almost tipped over.
"If Nyx wants it, then she should get it herself!" A student from earlier mocked. "Or is she just trying to set you up for mockery?"
"The goddess finally realized she is too good for you!"
Immediately, Nate zeroed his eyes on the student who had been opposing him. As expected, he was one of Rick's underdogs.
He wiggled his hands, "Do you want the necklace, Gerald?"
"Of course." Gerald raised his shoulders as his eyes swept through the hall. "Don't worry, I will gift it to Nyx on your behalf and take her to my bed."
Another wave of laughter ensued, as Nate's fingers twitched. He was angry that Gerald dared to address his woman that way. In that moment, he decided to teach the bastard a lesson.
"Come up," He said. "If you can pay 5 million dollars for this necklace, I will kowtow before you ten times and declare you my master."
Silence!
Everyone stared wide-eyed as Nate had casually raised the bidding price to 5 million dollars!
Thrill coursed through their body ready to watch the show. 5 million dollars was a chicken change to them however, Nate knew he had just dug a grave for Gerald.
Gerald was pushed forward, straight to the stage. As soon as he was on the stage, he felt a chill down his body as he met Nate's eyes.
Those weren't the eyes of the pitiful student he had beaten up with Rick.
He instantly thought of turning around to leave but they had already started chanting his name, pushing him to win the bid.
"Would you like to use your card, sir?" The host walked up to him with a machine in hand, and the sweetest smile that could con one out of millions.
"Yes," Gerald responded as he swallowed but then, he felt a bead of sweat drip down his back.
He brought out his card, eyeing Nate before passing it to the host.
But then, Nate spoke up, "Wait."
All eyes turned on him, "What if your card declines? What are you going to do?"
"What the fuck are you saying?" Gerald hissed. "Do you think I am as shameless as you are?"
"No…" Nate chuckled. "But I am not asking for too much. All you need to do is get down on your knees, and call me master."
Gerald swallowed, as his body shook in fear. If that were to happen, not only would he become the school's clown and pauper, but he would also risk punishment from Rick and that would push him to the verge of death.
And when he looked into Nate's eyes, the cunning and dim look in them made him realize Nate had something else up his sleeve. And as Nate's lips curled, with plain mockery, he trembled.
He pointed a shaky finger at Nate, "Don't fucking look at me, you bastard!"
At the same time, the host swiped his card, and the automated voice bounced off the walls.
"Declined!"